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Redundancy information events being held this week

The Scottish Government has set up PACE redundancy support events for the former Citylink employees.

The events will provide information and advice about finding work, claiming state benefits and training available.

Minister for Business Fergus Ewing said:

“The Scottish Government is committed to providing support to the former Citylink staff and subcontractors over this difficult period through our work with local agencies and key partners.

“Following my meeting with the trade union RMT representatives last week we have set up support events for the former Citylink employees through our initiative for responding to redundancy situations, Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE). PACE aims to minimise the time people affected by redundancy are out of work and I hope that those affected will find this useful.

“Were any interested party to emerge for all or part of the business we would of course do all we can to assist but as the business did not appear to own much of its property or vehicles and as its largest customers have already made other arrangements this may not be likely. Therefore our main focus is to provide assistance to the people who have now lost their jobs at the worst possible time of year.”

PACE redundancy support events will be held at the following locations:

15th January

Motherwell 0930-1200

Flemington House, 600 Windmillhill Street, Motherwell, ML1 2HN

Livingston 1330-1530

Pavilion A, West Lothian College, Almondvale Crescent, Livingston, EH54 7EP

Aberdeen 1400-1600

Skills Development Scotland, 381 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11 6BX

16th January

Fife 1400-1600

Rothes Hall, Rothes Square, Glenrothes, KY7 5NX

21st January

Glasgow 1000-1400

Marriott Hotel, 500 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8RR

For more information about PACE support services telephone 0800 917 8000 or visitwww.redundancyscotland.co.uk

Notes To Editors

• Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) is the Scottish Government’s initiative dedicated to helping individuals and employers with the advice and support they need when faced with redundancy.
• Skills Development Scotland (SDS) delivers PACE on behalf of the Scottish Government in conjunction with other key partners. In addition to the National PACE Team, there are 18 local PACE Teams across Scotland to ensure speedy and effective responses to redundancy situations.
• PACE offers free and impartial advice and is available to all individuals affected by redundancy, no matter the size of the business or how many employees are involved. PACE also works with insolvency practitioners to provide support where a business has gone into administration or liquidation.
• PACE support is tailored to meet individual needs and local circumstances and includes: one to one counselling; information on rights and entitlements, benefits entitlement and tax calculation; help with job search; CV writing, application forms and covering letters; preparation for interviews; identifying learning and training opportunities; starting up a business; making the most of your money; and coping with redundancy related stress.
• A national helpline (0800 917 8000), revamped website www.redundancyscotland.co.uk, and improved information resources have been introduced to make PACE services more accessible to individuals and employers through increased marketing and promotion.