“I was nervous when I left school and really worried; I really didn’t know where I wanted to be.”

Through volunteering work, she was eventually connected with Jobs and Business Glasgow (JBG), an arms-length organisation connected to Glasgow City Council, which provides job support and employability services to thousands of city residents every year.

Ellie said that the work she did with her JBG adviser “opened her eyes to the different pathways available” and gave her her first sense of something that she could feel passionate about.

With help from JBG, she earned new qualifications, completed a “transformational” six-month work placement and now, at 19, she works with JBG as an Employability Skills Adviser for young people ages 16-24.

“It gave me confidence, helped me develop professional habits, and alongside further training courses and qualifications, built me into a well-rounded candidate able to compete for jobs.”

Ellie Watkins came to JBG after leaving school with no sense of direction. A short time later, she now works as an adviser, helping young people in similar circumstances find their confidence. (Image: Jobs and Business Glasgow)

She said she was lucky to build a connection with JBG early in her post-school life, but that many other young people may not know about this or other support systems available to them.

And when they do know about the available help, she said, they are not always comfortable asking for it.

“I think that a lot of people come having trouble believing in themselves and having the confidence for work.

“A lot of people think that this work is just about getting people employment, but it’s also about removing the barriers. It’s a lot, but we just need to show them that they can do it, and a lot of people lack so much confidence and feel like they’re not capable.”

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JBG, as an organisation, is kicking off a rebranding effort, and leaders say the key is to highlight that free services are available to everyone in the city aged 16 and over. The group has 30 locations around the city, in libraries, community centres and other public hubs.

JBG matches newcomers with an adviser within five days. Together, they create an individualised plan that focuses on a range of services, from CV writing to paid work placements and funded training courses.  

A key emphasis of JBG’s new vision is reminding people that there are countless paths to navigating the job market, and that there is no age limit on when to start your journey or decide to make a change.

Cristina Grant spent 14 years as a stay-at-home mother and carer, before deciding she was ready to return to work and improve her skills to help others (Image: Jobs and Business Glasgow)

Another Glasgow resident, Cristina, came to JBG after a 14-year career break. Although by no means out of work – she was a stay-at-home mother and provided unpaid care for her own mother, who had Alzheimer’s during this time – she was eager to start a new job. Still, she saw the prospect of throwing herself into the market “totally daunting and overwhelming.”

Four years ago, she began taking courses with Parent Network Scotland, a parent support charity, and quickly realised that she wanted to find a way to be a part of the organisation.

“At the end of the courses I did with them, I did some extra volunteering, and they asked me if I would like to come and work for them as a facilitator. I said I would love to, but they needed to look at funding options.

“That’s where Jobs and Business Glasgow came in and said they would fund me for six months, at sixteen hours a week to start.”

She said that the first Monday was the first time she had stepped into a workplace in 14 years, and she has now been working with the organisation for over two years.

Although she recognises the importance of job services and guidance for young people – she has recommended it to her teenage son and his friends – she wants her story to make people aware that there are services for all ages and that there should be no reason not to get in touch with JBG or any other group offering support.

“I’m always very positive about trying to explain to people that there is no stigma attached to this. It’s just a great opportunity to get yourself out there and try things.”

When Amanpreet Bamrah was unexpectedly made redundant, she turned to JBG for support and built that new relationship into a career.

“The regular check-ins gave me focus and motivation, helping me channel my energy into building the next chapter of my career. JBG invested in me and helped me reframe redundancy as an opportunity to create a better life. I feel more empowered than ever.

“I’ve even gone from customer to colleague and now work as a Business Service Coordinator at JBG. I’ve never been happier, and now I get to pay forward the support I received by helping others achieve their goals.”

A spokesperson for the city council said that the rebranding campaign aims to show that no one needs to come to the service with clear goals in mind, and there should be no barriers to finding the right job.

“It becomes a fully personalised offer for your goals and ambitions. Even if you do not know what those are yet, the services can help to scope them out.

“There is always the question about whether kids leaving school are too young to be making the decision about what they want to do, but that is why it is important to get the message out about this service and the fact you do not have to have it all figured out.”