Delivering skills to coalfield communities in Fife

In Scotland’s coalfield communities people work hard. But it can be hard to access good work close to home.

In the Fife coalfield, there are 58 employee jobs for every 100 working-age residents. That means there are simply fewer local jobs to go around according to the CRT-commissioned State of the Scottish Coalfields 2024 report. The report also shows that in the Fife coalfield around 31,000 people are on out-of-work benefits. 

That’s why we’re working with the Community Trade Hub to deliver practical skills in a real workshop with the support to keep going. CRT is proud to fund supervisors who provide training to the young people so that they can move on to apprenticeships or further education. 

Owen is one of the people who’s been supported by our partnership work. He says: “When I first started in August, I was pretty shy… [Now] I’m in a really good job [and] I really enjoy what I do.”

If he hadn’t had access to the support from the Community Trade Hub he says “I wouldn’t actually be here… I would be probably sitting in the house right now doing nothing.” 

Working together the CRT and the Community Trade Hub are delivering skills, confidence, and a route into work for young people. 

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