SERI Traineeships in Catering & Cleaning
Flexible work pathways for parents in Shetland
The Shetland Local Employability Partnership ran a Test for Change project in 2024–25 to support parents facing barriers to employment, particularly childcare and transport. The Shetland Employer Recruitment Incentive (SERI) created six-month paid traineeships with Shetland Islands Council’s Catering & Cleaning Service. These roles were designed around the school day and in local settings, enabling parents to enter or return to work while balancing family commitments.
Parents were referred through the Employability Pathway. Many had limited confidence, little recent work experience, or difficulties accessing transport. By starting as a group, participants received tailored support from Employability Support Workers and were matched to placements that suited their needs. Alongside paid work, they gained induction support, access to digital training, and the assurance of a guaranteed interview for future roles.
The programme was funded through the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind Tackling Child Poverty programme, with additional resources from SIC’s Catering & Cleaning budget and the Youth and Employability Service.
Impact
Six parents started placements in October 2024, with four completing by March 2025. Of those, all joined the Council’s Relief Bank, and one quickly secured regular work in a school kitchen. Another participant left early after finding employment elsewhere.
Participants consistently highlighted the importance of flexible hours and local placements as the factor that made participation possible:
“Working school hours and around holidays was crucial — and it was a bonus with hardly any travel.”
Feedback showed significant personal and family benefits. Many reported increased confidence, improved social skills, and reduced anxiety, as well as improved wellbeing from being part of a team:
“People accepted me. People made me feel part of a team. I gained confidence and my social skills improved.”
Families benefitted from additional income, reduced financial stress, healthier food choices, and the ability to fund activities such as holidays. One parent explained:
“Having some extra income meant we were able to do more with the children… we can introduce more fresh produce such as fruit and veg into the monthly budget — I felt like a better parent as it significantly improved my mental health.”
Another reflected:
“My son speaking about ‘mummy work’ made me feel proud. I feel like I am teaching him that’s what adults do.”
Employers also benefitted. The Catering & Cleaning Service had been facing recruitment challenges, particularly for posts requiring school-time flexibility. Managers described the traineeships as a valuable way to attract motivated candidates and reported positive outcomes for service delivery. While there were early challenges around induction and communication, these were addressed through close collaboration between Employability staff and catering teams.
Learning and next steps
Based on positive results, partners plan to repeat the programme with refinements. Lessons include allowing more lead-in time, involving existing staff earlier in induction, and ensuring quicker HR processes. There is also interest in broadening the model to other sectors, including social care, provided employers can commit to similar levels of flexibility and support.
Contribution to the Shetland Partnership
This project contributes to all four Shetland Partnership priorities:
- Participation: Supporting parents to shape their own employment pathway.
- People: Building confidence, wellbeing, and family resilience.
- Place: Strengthening local services by addressing recruitment gaps.
- Money: Increasing household income and reducing the impact of poverty.