Questions & Answers

Q & A

What is PACE?

PACE - Partnership Action for Continuing Employment- is a Scottish Executive initiative for partnership working which ensures local public sector agencies deal with potential/proposed large-scale redundancies quickly and effectively.

The links below provide further information:

To get people made redundant into alternative employment or training as quickly as possible

Ability to manage "local crisis" proactively
Support for companies before they reach a point when redundancies are inevitable.
Co-ordinated response to large-scale redundancies.
Provides a coherent and consistent approach across Scotland.
Ability to learn from previous redundancies and share best practice.

23 local response team set-up across Scotland. Members include Scottish Enterprise LECs, Jobcentre Plus, local authorities. Other agencies co-opted as required :e.g. Careers Scotland, HM Revenue & Customs, trade unions.
Contingency plans developed locally and adapted quickly to suit particular situations.

Support will be tailored to individual needs and circumstances, will include:

Financial advice and support - benefits advice, welfare rights, money advice, debt counselling.
Redeployment support - job search and matching, vocational guidance, identify needs to meet job availability.
Self employment opportunities - small business start-up support via Business Gateway.

Trade unions often have a significant role to play in any situation involving company difficulty both in terms of local intelligence and in managing the process once redundancies become inevitable. It is important therefore that structures exist at a local level to ensure intelligence and experience is shared and utilised.

When job losses become inevitable, co-operation and support from the company is crucial to the level and support that local PACE teams can provide. It is appreciated by all that it is a very difficult and distressing time for those affected. It is important therefore that companies work alongside the local PACE team to ensure that the workforce has early access to the full range of support available. Many companies offer assistance in terms of funding for outplacement services or training opportunities.