EMPLOYERS and the public sector recently came together in a bid to boost job opportunities in the Wee County.

Clackmannanshire Local Employability Partnership (LEP) and Clackmannanshire Business Support Partnership have hosted their first event with more than 30 organisations in attendance.

The day was supported by Clackmannanshire Family Wellbeing Partnership, which is working with Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland to strengthen collaboration between employers and the public sector and ultimately boost job opportunities in the area.

The event saw a focus on flexible working and how its implementation can aid recruitment and retention.

Leading the session was business training and consultancy firm Flexibility Works, which highlighted research showing that 84 per cent of Scottish workers want, or have, flexible working.

Those attending also heard how flexibility can help tackle unemployment with a recent survey showing that 75 per cent of people out of work in Scotland say that flexible working would help them back into the workplace.

Clacks employers Diageo, Scottish Autism and Ceteris also gave details of their own experiences in implementing flexible working.

Jordan Lyell, talent engagement manager at Diageo, explained to the crowd how flexible working is supporting the company's diversity and inclusion mission while Katherine Wainwright, director of people and culture at Scottish Autism, outlined how the charity is currently changing its approach to flexible working for front-line staff.

Joellen Peebles, training co-ordinator at Ceteris, also shared her experience of switching to working from home during the pandemic and how it led her to increase her hours to become a full-time employee.

Council leader Ellen Forson said: “It was great to see so many local organisations, including some of our major employers, support the first Clackmannanshire Business Support event.

“To have the speakers share their experiences was invaluable to everyone in attendance and we’re really grateful to Diageo, Scottish Autism and Ceteris for their involvement.

“We also gained valuable insight into the other challenges facing Clackmannanshire employers and I know the team is looking forward to running more events to help tackle those issues and benefit our local economy.”

Organisers were delighted with the turnout of employers from the area and following the event, Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland (WEAll Scotland) is asking Wee County employers to complete a survey and help better understand the skills and support they need.

Visit bit.ly/3o4k3lS for the survey – responses are sought by Wednesday, May 31.