Equal - Digital Repository

Background

A thriving Highlands and Islands region needs a skilled, adaptable workforce with access to good quality lifelong learning and continuing professional development (CPD). Hi Hopes (Highlands &
Islands Harnessing Opportunities for Partnership Equality & Sustainability) projects address the fundamental barriers faced by small communities in geographically isolated locations.

Hi Hopes has been coordinating pilot projects across the Highlands and Islands. Through these pilots it is able to test innovative models of supported learning and social enterprise development as well as generate new online tools and support mechanisms for learners. 

Aims

Hi Hopes is the first geographically-based Development Partnership in Scotland. It aims to extend the provision of quality lifelong learning opportunities and to improve equality of access for people in the Highlands and Islands. 

Objectives

• Encouraging social enterprise development – enabling new and existing managers of social enterprise to develop their skills through continuing professional development.
• Helping the most vulnerable members of the community progress their lives through participation in the labour market – especially young people, those with special educational needs and migrant workers.
• Assisting employers – helping to build a skilled and adaptable workforce with access to good quality lifelong learning.

Activities

Pilot projects to address skills shortages through innovative CPD  include:

• CPD opportunities for new and existing managers of social enterprises
• A Scottish centre for innovation and management, based in the Highlands, which responds to the needs and expectations of the business community.
• A one-stop web portal where individuals and businesses can obtain information on CPD opportunities.
• A suite of new CPD modules to meet the needs of local industry across a broad range of sectors.
• Research into the barriers preventing individuals accessing training and development, and the impact of large manufacturing industry on fragile rural communities.  

Pilot projects to open up new opportunities for the most vulnerable members of the community include:

• A peripatetic assessor and verifier bank in the Western Isles
• An innovative ‘learning shop’ in Harris which will provide literacy and numeracy support to local residents.
• A web-based information and trading site for social enterprises (in conjunction with European partners).
• New social businesses in Skye, Benbecula and Stornoway to provide work placements for disadvantaged clients.
• Initiatives which support young people with special educational needs to gain early experience of paid work, improve their education or employment.
• English language tuition and support for migrant workers, designed to enhance community integration and active citizenship.  

Target Groups 

• People with learning disabilities
• migrant workers
• social enterprises
• employers

 

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UHI Millennium Institute (UHI)
www.uhi.ac.uk

Lifelong learning and inclusive working practices

Employed in SMEs, People with learning disabilities, Rural communities, Unemployed
Total beneficiaries: 475