Watch How Local Talent is Powering Scotland’s Digital Future

This short film showcases the CTTS - Cable Telecommunications Training Services Ltd Telecoms Academy pilot in the Scottish Borders, a new initiative giving six local jobseekers the chance to begin careers in a fast-growing sector.

Previously only available in the South of England, the new training centre brings entry-level telecoms training to Scotland for the first time, helping to upskill the local workforce and create new routes into employment.

Following the success of the pilot, CTTS has expanded training delivery across the region and beyond, strengthening Scotland’s telecoms capacity and supporting inclusive growth.

Another example of how the IRES Programme is working with partners to create opportunities, unlock potential, and build the skills our regional economy needs for the future.

Watch the video to see how collaboration, innovation, and practical training are connecting people to Scotland’s digital future: 

Bus Driver Recruitment Campaign - Case Study Video

The Workforce Mobility Project, Integrated Employer Engagement team, bus operators and regional employability partners delivered a series of bus driver recruitment roadshows across the city region through May and June 2024.

Launched by the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, the roadshows were a great example of collaborative working across the region to help operators overcome a shortage of bus drivers, while creating new connections with employability partners. It has also showcased the importance of bus drivers to support our communities and economy, while highlighting the fantastic career opportunities that are available with operators across our region.

Watch the short video featuring the Minister, operators, drivers and SEStran (South East of Scotland Transport Partnership) to find out more:

You can watch other videos which show how the City Region Deal’s projects and programmes are helping people, in the Annual Report 2023/24

Fast-access help for City Region small businesses made big difference during first year of COVID-19

Seventy-seven businesses across the City Region have received help to stay afloat during the pandemic thanks to a specially designed rescue fund.

The micro-businesses were offered the chance to apply for small grants between £500-£1,000 with no restrictions on sector or length of trading history.

The fund helped a diverse range of businesses, from small local retailers to events and tourism companies to buy equipment for remote-working, diversify their trading offers, and purchase goods or services to allow them to remain open with the new restrictions in place.

The businesses received funds within two weeks of approval of their applications and have reported that it helped them keep over 100 people in work.

As a result, these businesses – which otherwise may have had to close their doors, make redundancies or end employment contracts – were able to continue trading and keep their employees.

The Integrated Employer Engagement (IEE) fund was designed and launched through Business Gateway and the City Region Deal’s skills and employability partnership channels. The IEE team are part of Capital City Partnership, who lead and coordinate the local job strategy group and were fully supportive of the fund’s objective to help businesses continue trading under new government guidelines and prevent job losses.

Through consultations, the IEE team and Business Gateway identified a gap in the wide array of Covid19 response funds for accessible, up front small enterprise grants for micro businesses.

For more information, visit: capitalcitypartnership.co.uk/city-region-deal