Employers in Aberdeen City and Shire are being invited to an event next month to find out more about how they can participate and benefit from an innovative programme of activity, led by Aberdeen City Council, designed to grow the North-east workforce
The Workwise Project Employer Engagement event is being held on Thursday 6 November at North East Scotland College and is the initial event in a programme that sees Aberdeen City Council, alongside NESCol and Aberdeenshire Council combine efforts to support school leavers and adults to enter or move towards the job market through a combination of virtual work experience and illustrative online content.
The project has been made possible by grant funding of £250,000 from Ufi VocTech Trust, an independent charity focused on unlocking the full potential of technology to help adults improve skills for work and open up access for those furthest from opportunity.
The grant offer for this place based project is seeing regional partners working collaboratively to develop a range of resources for North East residents to help them towards employment or into further education.
Aberdeen City Council Co Leader, Councillor Christian Allard will give a welcome speech at the event. Councillor Allard said: “It’s wonderful that this transformative programme is underway, generously funded by Ufi VocTech Trust, with an initial engagement event for employers to learn how they can grow their business and the local economy through supporting this place based project for young people and adults with limited work experience to move towards the job market.
“I would encourage local employers to sign up for the limited spaces available for this exciting project event and learn how they can benefit their business and the lives of potential and future employees through participation in the programme.”
To take part in the engagement event employers should sign up on Eventbrite Employer Engagement event: Workwise Project Business Breakfast Tickets, Thu, Nov 6, 2025 at 8:30 AM | Eventbrite
The programme is being developed with wider partnerships and will grow skills, awareness, and confidence and understanding of the opportunities in the local labour market and strengthen the regional economy.
This includes creating digital programmes with real people from the region speaking about their roles. An online confidence building course for adults considering returning to further education covering study and digital skills, funding options, support networks. A digital work experience platform, for those with no or little work experience, to use to build key skills and experience matched to their needs. A flexible digital approach opens up opportunities for those living in rural communities to access these upskilling opportunities.
Caroline O’Donnell, Grants Programme Manager, Ufi VocTech Trust: said: “We’re proud to support Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and NESCol, who are bringing together regional partners to create meaningful, tech-enabled pathways into further education and employment.
By enabling local-led innovation, we’re helping ensure that adults across Aberdeen City and Shire, especially those furthest from opportunity, can build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.”
Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee, Councillor David Keating said: “This is an exciting programme with real potential to transform lives by helping people develop the skills they need to move into work. This will deliver another route to help us demystify the journey to the workplace for those who find it challenging.
“This innovative, technology-driven approach will open new opportunities for both young people and adults, helping them not only understand the world of work, but build their confidence and ambition. I’m particularly pleased that we’ve been able to collaborate with our neighbouring council to deliver benefits for all our communities.
“I’d encourage employers to get involved and see how this initiative can both strengthen their business and help grow the skills, confidence, and awareness that support our local economy.”
Robert Laird, Head of Planning and Academic Partnerships at NESCol, said: “Partnership working is at the core of this innovative new programme and we are enthusiastic about the role of employers as part of that collaboration. The event will provide the opportunity to bring stakeholders together and to build on the strong foundations we have in place.
“Our aim with the programme is to broaden the options available for all individuals who are committed to pursuing opportunities in education and employment, breaking down barriers and supporting personal development. We look forward to working with employers towards meeting shared goals.”
The Workwise project will support the partners to build the region’s skilled workforce for the future, aligning with the Regional Economic Strategy’s Draft Skills Action Plan and the area’s growth and volume sectors, while simultaneously tackling poverty by supporting local people into quality employment.