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Coalfields Worx: delivering skills and work in Scottish coalfield communities

Coalfields Worx: delivering skills and work in Scottish coalfield communities

Home > Case Studies > Coalfields Worx: delivering skills and work in Scottish coalfield communities

In Scotland’s coalfield communities’ young people can struggle to access good work close to home — and that can limit their choices as they start out. 

Recent evidence shows how uneven the local jobs market still is. In 2022, job density (employee jobs per 100 working-age residents) was 44 in Ayrshire/Lanarkshire, 58 in Fife and 50 in Lothian — compared with 73 across Scotland as a whole. That’s one reason why a lot of people have to travel out of the coalfields for work each day. 

Skills and qualifications matter too — and coalfield areas still face a gap. In 2022, the share of 16–64 year olds with degree-level qualifications was 26% in Ayrshire/Lanarkshire and 28% in Fife (33% in Lothian), compared with 36% across Scotland. 

That’s why Coalfields Worx matters. The programme is designed to equip young people with the skills, confidence and resilience they need to move into employment or further education. It offers paid training opportunities and industry-specific learning and qualifications, with learner-centred, bespoke support to help each participant take their next step. 

What Coalfields Worx provides: 

  • Paid training opportunities targeted at young people in coalfield communities. 

  • Industry-specific training plus recognised qualifications (including SCQF Level 5 awards). 

  • CPD options such as mental health awareness, communication, food hygiene and more. 

  • Support that is learner-centred and focused on progression into employment at completion. 

Alongside qualifications, the programme also focuses on the human side of moving forward, assessments show marked improvements in self-confidence, motivation and social inclusion — the building blocks that help people stick with training and succeed in work. 

Every participant brings their own story, challenges and aspirations. Through individual support they leave better prepared — not only with new skills, but with a clearer sense of what’s possible. 

We look forward to working with the next Scottish Government to continue to support young people into work. 

If you want to talk about job training in Scotland’s coalfield communities, contact the CRT Scotland team: 
Message via coalfieldsregen.uk/contact • or Call  01259 230910