Building Skills, Confidence and Opportunity Through Partnership

We're pleased to share a new video featured in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Annual Report, highlighting the impact of the Housing Construction Initiative (HCI) and the role of partnership working in creating inclusive routes into skills and employment.

Through collaboration with third sector organisations, the Integrated Regional Employability & Skills (IRES) programme is helping people access opportunities that may not always be available through traditional pathways.

One inspiring example is the Community Trades Hub in Fife, which supports young people to build confidence, develop practical construction skills and take positive steps towards employment. At the same time, the initiative is helping employers address skills shortages across the construction sector while delivering wider community benefits.

This video demonstrates how IRES brings partners together to:

• Widen access to skills and employment opportunities

• Support individuals to build confidence and develop new skills

• Strengthen communities through inclusive approaches

• Help employers address workforce and skills challenges

• Build the skilled workforce needed for the future

Watch the Video

🎬 Click below to watch the video

You can watch other videos which show how the City Region Deal’s projects and programmes are helping people, in the Annual Report 2025/26