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Eighteen of Scotland's key organisations and agencies joined forces yesterday to demonstrate their support for people facing redundancy by signing the PACE Partnership Protocol.

The Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) was established in March 2000 to ensure that local and national public sector agencies respond to potential and proposed redundancies as quickly and effectively and as consistently as possible.

Following the PACE Summit in February this year, the Scottish Government agreed that it would establish the PACE Partnership, a high level strategic group comprising all agencies with an interest in PACE with a remit to look at ways of making the service more flexible and effective.

Today saw the first meeting of the PACE Partnership in Edinburgh and representatives from Member Organisations with the Minister for Schools and Skills Keith Brown signed the first ever 'PACE Protocol' which is a statement of commitment to PACE from the Scottish Government and partner organisations.

Minister for Schools and Skills, Keith Brown said:

"Helping people stay in work or get back into work lies at the heart of our Economic Recovery Programme. The work of the PACE teams in this current economic climate is absolutely crucial and I am delighted that so many of our key agencies have committed to the PACE Partnership.

"PACE provides real and practical support to people all over Scotland who have been made redundant or who are facing redundancy. It is imperative that the agencies involved in helping those individuals are working in complete partnership and to the best of their ability.

"During these difficult economic times the Scottish Government is determined to work with all businesses, organisations, individuals and agencies to ensure Scotland's people and businesses get the help they need to address the challenges ahead and to ensure Scotland's future economic recovery and growth."

Grahame Smith of Scottish Trade Union Congress said:

"PACE is essential in supporting workers who are made redundant and helping prevent redundancies happening in the first place. I am pleased to have been invited and to be able to participate in the PACE Partnership."

Chris Travis, Chief Executive, Scotland's Colleges added:

'Scotland's Colleges welcomes the establishment of the PACE Partnership and are looking forward to more joined up working to deliver an improved service to those facing redundancy.

"Colleges work closely with local partners and businesses to offer retraining and re-skilling for those that want it to improve their chances of finding another job quickly.

"The Scottish Government recognises the role of colleges and is increasing their resources for colleges to enable them to respond to an increase in demand for their services."

PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) is the Scottish Government's national strategic partnership framework for responding to redundancy situations. It ensures that local public sector agencies respond to redundancy situations as quickly and effectively as possible.

There are 21 local PACE teams in Scotland - 12 in Central and Lowland Scotland and 9 in the Highlands and Islands area. They involve local and national agencies, including Skills Development Scotland, Jobcentre Plus Scotland and Local Authorities. Other agencies, called upon as required, include: HM Revenue and Customs; the STUC and its affiliated Trade Unions; Citizens Advice Bureaux; local training providers; and further education colleges and universities.

Skills Development Scotland co-ordinates the national and local level response teams to provide tailored help and support to individuals facing redundancy and identify training activities where appropriate.

This support is tailored to meet individual needs and may include: Jobcentre Plus Scotland services; one-to-one counselling; comprehensive information packs; access to high-quality training; seminars on skills such as CV-writing and starting up a business; and access to IT facilities.

Through the PACE Partnership, all partners will have the opportunity to clarify their respective roles and responsibilities and identify the resources they are able to contribute to the work of PACE. Partners will also be able to influence directly the operation of PACE and consider actions for enhancing PACE.

Key areas for consideration by the PACE Partnership will include:

• Promoting and communicating PACE services
• Improving the operation of PACE at a local and regional level
• Developing those involved in supporting PACE so that they are aware of the full range of support available
• Developing the capacity of PACE to support early intervention
• Improving and sharing intelligence amongst key partners

The wording of the PACE Protocol is as follows:

The Partnership Action for Continuing Employment 'PACE', is central to the Government's Economic Recovery Programme, in particular the commitment to provide support to businesses and employees facing redundancy situations. Through providing skills development and employability support, PACE aims to minimise the time people affected by redundancy are out of work.

Through establishing the PACE Partnership, the Scottish Government with the PACE Member organisations listed below will oversee a continuous improvement programme to enhance the operation of PACE. All partners will have an opportunity to clarify their respective roles, responsibilities and resources.

Partners will also be able to influence directly the operation of PACE and consider actions for enhancing PACE.

As representatives of our organisations, we the undersigned, commit to participating in the work of the PACE Partnership to ensure that Scotland and its people emerge from the economic downturn in the strongest possible position.

Agencies invited to be represented on the PACE Partnership are:

• Skills Development Scotland
• Jobcentre Plus Scotland
• Arbitration and Conciliation Advisory Service
• Citizens Advice Bureaux
• Confederation of British Industry
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
• Alliance of Sector Skills Councils
• Federation of Small Businesses
• HM Revenue and Customs
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise
• Scotland's Colleges
• Scottish Chambers of Commerce
• Scottish Enterprise
• Scottish Funding Council
• Scottish Qualifications Authority
• Scottish Trades Union Congress
• Scottish Training Federation
• Universities Scotland

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