Pollokshields’ jobseekers now have the Initiative on their side when searching for work as the company has opened a new office in Shields Road. Staff will help locals get back into work through free training, advice, childcare and financial assistance. Opened on Thursday July 20, it is the third such base for The Initiative, which has headquarters in Gorbals’ Adelphi Centre. The others premises are in Victoria Road and Toryglen’s Prospecthill Square.

Using Community Regeneration Funding, The Initiative set up in East Pollokshields after the area was recognised as an area with high unemployment that did not benefit from the now-disbanded Social Inclusion Partnerships.

Siobhan Dickson, The Initiative’s Recruitment and Development Manager, said, ‘We’re excited and looking forward to helping local people overcome barriers to employment.’
A team of qualified careers guidance workers and recruitment experts will work, one-on-one, with clients, trying to target ‘hard-to-reach’ people, such as long-term unemployed, people on long-term health benefits, substance abusers and ex-offenders.

The Initiative has helped over 5000 people into work in the past 15 years, with employers as
diverse as First Glasgow, Morgan Stanley, the National Demolition Group, Gorbals’ Tulip Inn
and Bett Homes.