Highland Council’s Education Committee received a report highlighting that employment is key to supporting families and providing a sustainable route out of poverty.
The report gave an overview of the Highland Employability Partnerships (HEP) and the Employability Service’s work to lift people out of poverty in the Highlands by helping them access fair and sustainable work.
Education Committee chair, Councillor John Finlayson, said: “The Council has a strategic employability commitment to tackle poverty, improve community wellbeing and strengthening the economy across the Highlands.
“It plays a lead role in co-ordinating the work of the HEP and in implementing the No One Left Behind (NOLB) approach to employability services.
“The report presented today, highlights the plight of child poverty and the significant impact on wellbeing and attainment.”
Finlayson added: “The root causes of poverty, particularly child poverty, across the Highlands remain persistent and complex.
“Addressing them requires a collaborative, cross-sector approach where employment is key to supporting families, whether through securing a job or advancements in current work to increase household income, in turn giving families a sustainable route out of poverty.”
“I’d like to thank our employability team and all our HEP partners for their ongoing commitment to support as many Highland residents as possible out of poverty through sustainable and fair work, assisting both individuals and employers to unlock their work potential.”