Third sector to benefit from mentoring

18 Mar 2009 11:11 AM

Mentoring will be provided by business people to help Third Sector professionals make their organisations more enterprising and successful.

The Scottish Government has awarded a £186,200 contract to a consortium which will provide mentoring and coaching to help develop staff skills.

Speaking at a conference on 'Creating a Sustainable Third Sector' in Edinburgh, Finance and Sustainable Growth Secretary John Swinney said those benefiting from the project would be able to learn from their peers to help achieve business goals.

He said:

"There is a wealth of talented individuals working in Scotland's diverse Third Sector, which provides valuable services and creates employment opportunities.

"Mentoring will enable Third Sector professionals to learn from their peers and play a full part in developing a world class sector in Scotland.

"The Scottish Government increased Third Sector funding by 37 per cent because we recognised its transformational potential and contribution to increasing sustainable economic growth. This is all the more important in the current climate as I firmly believe the Third Sector has a key role to play in helping to position Scotland for a stronger economic recovery."

The consortium comprises the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Forth Sector, Edinburgh Business Development and the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

The contract, which runs until 2011, will provide mentoring for individuals involved with Third Sector organisations including social enterprises, community and voluntary groups, registered charities and credit unions.

Roger Horam of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce said:

"This mentoring service offers an exciting opportunity to leaders of enterprising third sector organisations to realise their growth potential and improve their organisation's sustainability. The service will provide another valuable piece in the jigsaw of support for the sector, fitting strategically alongside programmes such as Aspire to Enterprise and new funding streams such as the Scottish Investment Fund and the Third Sector Enterprise Fund."

Related Information

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/15300