Under the Edinburgh and South East City Region Deal a core area of focus is The Integrated Regional Employability and Skills (IRES) Programme and its cross-sector partnership is a change programme seeking to evolve regional labour market policy and practice to drive inclusive growth.
The IRES partnership is funded by £25 million investment (over eight years) and will deliver an additional 14,700 skill improvements; 5,300 people into employment; and a further 500 career enhancements through its 7 themes:
Integrated knowledge management systems
Labour market analysis and evaluation
Integrated employer engagement
Intensive family support service
Housing construction and infrastructure (HCI) targeted skills gateway
The Programme commit to ensure the principles of Community Wealth Building pledges are embedded, where possible, throughout the work carried out under the City Region Deal to incorporate;
Pledge one – To support the growth and development of SMEs
Pledge two – To support other progressive forms of ownership
Pledge three – To support progressive employment practice
Embedding a community wealth building ethos into the IRES partnership is crucial because it ensures that the £25 million investment not only delivers the projected 14,700 skills improvements, 5,300 employment opportunities, and 500 career enhancements, but also promotes inclusive economic growth.
By prioritising local assets and equitable opportunities, we can build a resilient economy that benefits all members of the community, creating a sustainable and thriving region for years to come.
‐ Adam Dunkerley, Opportunities Fife Partnership Manager and IRES Lead for ESES City Region Deal
