You want to provide some of your key staff with training. But there’s a problem. How are you going to release them without hitting productivity?

Lanarkshire JobRotation has the solution. This scheme, run by the Workers’ Educational Association, can supply and train substitute staff.

As part of a complete package to support company and staff development, JobRotation will subsidise the replacement staff’s wages and help with the cost and organisation of training existing employees.

Companies are referred to project co-ordinator Lynne Macmillan through South Lanarkshire Economic Development or their local Small Business Gateway.

“We have an initial discussion with the company to find out what their training needs are and work out the best way to deliver these,” explained Lynne.

JobRotation, which is based in Cambuslang Training and Enterprise Centre, will then source and pay for the necessary training.

“This takes away a lot of the work from the company itself,” said Lynne. “But we also work closely with them to make sure the training matches their requirements.”

The scheme is funded by South Lanarkshire Council, North Lanarkshire Council, Blantyre and North Hamilton, South Coatbridge, and Motherwell North SIPs, the European Social Fund, the Scottish Objective 3 Programme and the Employment Service. South Lanarkshire Council also seconds a member of staff, Stephen McCarron, to JobRotation one day a week.

Since it was set-up in March this year, JobRotation has helped or is in the process of helping train over 100 employees from 23 companies throughout Lanarkshire.

One example is Munro Pharmacy, which is based in East Kilbride and has shops throughout Lanarkshire and beyond.

As a result of its participation, 16 employees will study for accredited training. The company has committed to employing four previously unemployed people to act as substitutes. They have been given a six month contract with a view to perm-anent employment after this point.

Joan Penman, of Munro’s personnel department, said: “Involvement in the JobRotation project has been a positive experience for both the company and the staff involved.

“It has assisted us to move forward with our staff development policy in addition to providing employment opportunities for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market.”

For more information, contact

Lynne at Lanarkshire JobRotation on 0141 641 9900

Business South Lanarkshire - Summer/ Autumn 2001

Return to Magazine Back Issue Index

Site Map