Paid Third Sector Placements are available to Third Sector and community organisations based in Highland. The initiative aims to provide trainees with six months of paid work experience, offering between 16 and 30 hours per week. The aim is to support participants to develop the skills and experience needed to move into sustainable and fair employment after the placement.
To be eligible, employers must pay all staff, including trainees, at least the Scottish Real Living Wage.
Funding will cover trainee’s wage, as well as any employer’s National Insurance and pension contributions for up to 30 hours per week over the six-month placement.
Eligibility – Trainees
- Be registered with the Highland Council Employability Service
- Be unemployed and face barriers to employment
- Fit within one of the 3 eligibility categories below:
- Aged 16-24 with little to no work experience.
- Parents responsible for a child under 18.
- Aged 25+ and over who have been out of work for at least 9 months.
Eligibility – Host Organisations
- Be physically based within the Highland Council area.
- Be a third-sector organisation (charity, community group, social enterprise…)
- Provide a 6-month contract of employment to clients for a minimum of 16 hours per week and a maximum of 30 hours per week.
- Pay at least the Scottish Real Living Wage to the trainees and all their employees (£13.45/hour as of April 2026).
- Placement must be started by 31st March 2027.
Host duties during the placement
- Identify a workplace mentor who will be the trainee’s main point of contact and who will provide training and guidance.
- Support participants to identify their strengths and areas for improvement, create an up-to-date CV and help apply for jobs throughout the placement to ensure they transition into employment.
- Provide any necessary equipment/uniform or Safety/Protective clothing.
- Provide regular updates regarding trainee progress and commit to alerting the Highland Council Employability Service as early as possible if any performance issues The service will get in touch to check in on week 2 and 4, then monthly or as and when required.
- Training for Employment funding will be available to fund approved external accredited training costs for trainees.
Application process
If you are interested in hosting a Paid Third Sector Placement, email [email protected] marked for attention of the Projects Team.