Dundee City Council's City Development Committee has welcomed the news that for the first the entire cohort of a recent skills academy has been offered a contract with an employer.

All eight of the clients taking part in the Discover Work Partnership academy with Social Security Scotland have been offered 12-month fixed term contracts.

Steven Rome, depute convener of the City Development Committee said: "This is a great achievement, which shows just how on the money the Discover Work academies are for employers and for people looking for a job.

"By taking a tailored, intensive and hands-on approach, Discover Work can match up employers and prospective employees so that everyone benefits and I am very pleased to see another successful course completed."

Delivered by Dundee and Angus College the academy offered unemployed people the opportunity to receive essential practical skills in an office environment including communication, handling client enquiries, using listening skills and accurate recording of information.

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Support was also on offer from key participants in the partnership for personal development such as digital skills, managing personal circumstances, employer expectations and financial advice.

Jack Reid, one of the people who took part in the academy said: "I have found this form of recruitment to be beneficial as it has given me the skills, confidence and knowledge to go into the role."

Kirsty Craig, Head of Client Services Operations at Social Security Scotland said: "We are delighted to be able to offer contracts to all our Social Security Scotland Academy cohort.

"Providing these eight employment opportunities is part of our continued commitment to offer jobs to people from diverse backgrounds and boosting investment in our workforce in Dundee and the city's local economy.

"We believe that social security is a shared investment to help build a fairer society, and this extends beyond the 17 benefits we currently deliver."

Social Security Scotland is expected to employ more than 3500 people across Scotland by late 2022, directly supporting around £290 million in gross value added to the economy.

The Social Security Scotland Academy is the latest in a number of successful events with specific employers in which the Discover Work Partnership has worked with unemployed residents to support them back into the workforce.