Employment & Training Group

Leader: Christine Crook

Origin and Aims:

LUCT’s Employment and Training Working Group started work in 2022 as a direct response to one of the top findings from our Community Needs survey in 2021: to promote long-term (non-seasonal) jobs and training opportunities.

The group was initially set up to connect the many stakeholders involved in promoting employment and work experience opportunities in Lochbroom. In 2026, resource pressures have meant that the group is currently suspended due to people not having time to attend. We are currently looking at new ways to support our community to take steps towards employment if this suits their circumstances.

Organisations originally represented:

  • Highland Council

  • Skills Development Scotland

  • Enable

  • Developing Young Workforce West Highlands

  • Ullapool Youth Space

  • Ulluminate CIC

  • UHI North, West and Hebrides

Issues we heave covered.

  • Changing employment scene in the Highlands - horizon scanning for new opportunities

  • Available training and funding

  • Tackling childcare barriers to employment

  • Creating ‘scaffolded’ employment opportunities to protect and nurture wellbeing while working, eg. through ongoing coaching

  • Modern apprenticeship and work experience opportunities

  • Developing a youth-led social enterprise as a case study for other businesses

  • Organising careers fairs

Past projects:

  • Lochbroom Staff Pool (SEE BOX to right) to join email us at info@ullapoolcommunity.org stating if you wish to join as an employee or employer.

  • Work experience through Ulluminate CIC

If you would like to work with us to support employment and training opportunities for our community, please get in touch below:

Email us at info@ullapoolcommunity.org

Lochbroom Staff Pool still active three years on

Are you an employer needing short-term, urgent, or ad-hoc staff? Are you a resident looking for part-time ad hoc employment? Lochbroom Staff Pool is the place to meet. Email info@ullapoolcommunity.org to join our What’s App noticeboard and just click on the group name to see the ground rules.

Please note that while LUCT maintains the group as a community notice-board, we take no income and take no employer obligations.

History

In 2023 Lochbroom and Ullapool Community Trust (LUCT) ran a pilot trial of Lochbroom Staff Pool through which residents helped out local businesses looking for ad hoc staff cover when regular staff are off sick or at busy times. This came in response to a public meeting that was well attended by hospitality businesses and accommodation providers.

It’s a small but active group with 27 members including six local businesses. The key things we have learned are:

  • There was a need

  • It does work in practice

  • Both employers and employees found it rewarding and fun

  • It helped participants to gain employment and to test the kind of jobs that might suit them most

  • The codes of conduct for employers and employees and group ground rules are respected

Many thanks to Foundation Scotland and EDF Renewables Corriemoillie Education and Training Fund for providing funding during the pilot trial which enabled participants to get skilled in food hygiene, health and safety at work, fire awareness, mental health and physical first aid – all valuable employability skills.