As part of the Scottish Government's mission to eradicate child
poverty, a total of £10 million is being invested in the college
sector through the Raising Income through Skills and Education
(RISE) initiative. This helps families at the greatest risk of
poverty to access the skills and education they need to enter,
sustain and progress in work.
Alongside training courses, the project will unlock additional
support with childcare and transport costs to remove access
barriers.
Social Justice Secretary visited Fife
College to meet parents who are benefiting from the scheme. She
said:
This is a prime example of how we are helping parents to boost
their incomes through work, as well as through vital
cost-of-living saving measures.
We know that paid employment offers a sustainable route out of
poverty for many families and I am pleased that colleges across
Scotland are utilising our funding to work with parents to
enhance their career options.
This is part of wider activity, which also includes capping bus
fares, investing to deliver a national breakfast club offer, and
the game-changing Scottish Child Payment.
Gavin Donoghue, CEO at Colleges Scotland said: Colleges play a
critical role in tackling poverty at source and creating
opportunity in every part of Scotland. On a daily basis, our
colleges help learners gain the confidence and skills they need
to overcome educational barriers and get into well-paid jobs that
increase their incomes and improve their lives.
Colleges are a key part of Scotland's anti-poverty
infrastructure, helping to break down barriers, widen access and
support Scotland's ambition of becoming a fairer and more
inclusive society.
Challenge Poverty Week provides an important opportunity to
recognise the difference colleges make and to renew our
collective commitment to addressing poverty and inequality.
Colleges RISE is one part of a £22 million package to help
parents upskill to enter or progress in work. This includes £10m
for the new Flexible Workforce Development Fund, £10m for the
Colleges RISE Programme, and £2m for the new Training Access Fund
supporting parents to boost their earnings.
Background
The £10 million for Colleges RISE is being funded
through Bringing Hope, Building Futures:
Tackling child poverty delivery plan 2026-2031 - gov.scot
Analysis of the impact of
Scottish Government policies on child poverty
More information on the employability support available to
parents at Fife College is available here.
