The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is recruiting for the next generation of 999 call handlers at its Operations Control site in Edinburgh.
The role of Firefighter Control is the first point of contact for members of the public who dial 999 to report an emergency. It’s a vital role in keeping Scotland’s communities safe and ensuring that emergency incidents are dealt with effectively and efficiently.
Group Commander Marie Clare Coyle said: “Our Firefighter Control staff provide a vital service to Scotland’s communities. Our teams are trained to an extremely high standard to enable them to provide emergency help where required.
“It is a varied and hugely rewarding career, we deal with a range of calls from house fires and road traffic collisions, to major incidents and severe weather-related flooding, keeping people calm in times of distress and concentrating resources where they’re most required. “
SFRS is recruiting for Firefighter Control staff to be based at its city-centre site in the Scottish capital, which is located adjacent to Tollcross Community Fire Station.
Applicants for must be aged 18 or over, with the ability to work rotating shifts.
Successful applicants will join fellow Operations Control staff upon completion of a 14-week training period – learning how to co-ordinate emergency fire and rescue response and give potentially life-saving advice.
Group Commander Coyle, who has worked for the service for 24 years, added: “Our Edinburgh control room primarily provides a response to incidents in the East Service Delivery Area and, where required, can support our other control rooms in Johnstone and Dundee.
“We are looking for people who are motivated, have a willingness to learn, a strong team ethic and the ability to form relationships to take up these roles on Scotland’s unseen frontline.
“We are a team and we work collectively to respond to each, and every emergency call across Scotland.”
SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) is inviting people from Edinburgh with lived experience of suicide to apply to take part in the Suicide Prevention Scotland Lived Experience Panel.
The panel exists so that people with experience of suicide can help shape Scotland’s mission to prevent suicide.
The Lived Experience Panel works alongside Suicide Prevention Scotland to influence and advise on its work to deliver the Scottish Government and COSLA’s suicide prevention strategy, Creating Hope Together.
Suicide Prevention Scotland is the community of people and organisations working together to deliver the strategy.
The panel was initially formed in 2019 to support the delivery of the previous strategy.
It played a vital role in the development of guidance to support local authorities, learning & development resources, the launch of the United to Prevent Suicide campaign movement, pilot projects to support families bereaved by suicide, and shaping an approach to supporting people in suicidal crisis, Time Space Compassion.
This model has been so successful that it has been recognised by the World Health Organisation as a significant international example of participation of people with lived experience in suicide prevention work.
Those who have previously attempted suicide, experienced suicidal thoughts, or have lost a loved one to suicide are encouraged to apply to be on the panel.
The Scottish Government provides funding to SAMH to host the lived experience panel, providing support to the group’s members so that they can contribute fully and safely help influence suicide prevention strategy.
SeonaidStallan, is a current member of the Lived Experience Panel. She lost her son Dylan to suicide; three weeks later her sister-in-law Vanessa took her own life.
She said: “After losing my son and sister-in-law to suicide, I knew there were things which needed to change to prevent this happening to others.
“Being a member of the Lived Experience Panel has given me the opportunity to share my personal lived experience, insight and knowledge of suicide.
My experience is valued, and I have been able to use my voice to help influence and shape a variety of actions and services in suicide prevention.
“I am pleased to say that Scotland now has a pilot service which supports families bereaved by suicide, families like mine. This will save lives.”
Dan Farthing, Head of Suicide Prevention at SAMHsaid: “This is a unique opportunity for people in Edinburgh to play a significant part in Scotland’s mission to prevent suicide.
“SAMH is proud to have worked collaboratively to establish and develop the Lived Experience Panel and to continue to host it for Suicide Prevention Scotland.
“Working with panel members we’ve created a safe space for open conversation, and constructive challenge. Those who join the panel will be able to genuinely shape what Scotland’s approach to suicide prevention looks like in the future.
“Support and safeguarding are always at the forefront of everything we do, and so those who are interested in contributing this way should know that their wellbeing is our top priority.”
Haylis Smith, National Delivery, Suicide Prevention Scotlandsaid: “Over the last four years the Lived Experience Panel has become a vital part of the three-way approach to the development of suicide prevention policy and practice alongside public health professionals and our academic advisors.
“Members understandably want to do all they can to prevent suicide, but it is the quality of their contributions that have made such a difference.
“The idea of a lived experience panel was very new when this one was set up, and some people were probably quite nervous about taking this approach.
“However, we’ve seen so many meaningful contributions that have helped shape our approach, and in some cases bring about change that may not have happened.
“We’d warmly encourage anyone who has experience of suicide in Edinburgh, who feels they are ready to contribute to this work to put themselves forward.”
Edinburgh Leisure, the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city, has begun the search for a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following the announcement of the retirement of their current CEO, June Peebles (who was part of the original team that helped establish Edinburgh Leisure in 1998).
June led the organisation through the unprecedented period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the various lockdowns and venue closures, leading with unflappability and transparency.
Although venues were closed, some projects were fast-tracked including staffing reviews, and building projects continued where possible, including retiling the Royal Commonwealth diving pool, upgrading the front façade at Portobello Swim Centre and the refurbishment of Warrender Swim Centre (one of Edinburgh Leisure’s five much-loved Victorian pools).
June Peebles, Edinburgh Leisure’s current CEO said: “I reached the conclusion that, for me, there is no ‘right’ time to leave Edinburgh Leisure.
“I love my work, irrespective of how challenging or less challenging things are, and hardly a day goes by when I don’t experience a proud moment, whether that’s because of the performance of a colleague or from seeing and/ or hearing about the impact of our work on people’s lives. I feel very fortunate to work in an industry and for an organisation I feel passionate about. But there comes a time…and after 38 years, now feels like the right time to retire.
“I leave whoever picks up the baton with an organisation that is mature and certain of its purpose, the value it brings to the city of Edinburgh and, importantly, with the ambition to do more. This is a great opportunity for someone to put their own stamp on how Edinburgh Leisure continues to thrive.
June Pebbles Chief Executive Edinburgh Leisure
June continues: “A charity with one clear purpose – to make a positive difference by creating opportunities for everyone to get active, stay active and achieve more, the new CEO will be required to ensure that Edinburgh Leisure continues to deliver on its purpose in a sustainable way.
“Leading an experienced, enthusiastic and committed team – all of whom are focused on making a positive difference through physical activity, working effectively with our many partners (especially the elected members and officials at the City of Edinburgh Council), and providing all our customers with a great experience.”
Eden Scott is handling the recruitment and interested applicants should contact Sarah Gracie, Associate Director on 07999 421 314
Female-led Scottish scale-up crowned one of the UK’s best
SCOTLAND’S leading financial services recruiter has been identified by JP Morgan Private Bank as one of the top 200 women-powered businesses in the UK.
Founded by respected entrepreneur Betsy Williamson in 2005, Core-Asset Consulting receives the accolade shortly after being named a leading trailblazer at the end of 2022.
The firm – which now turns over £26.5m a year – places a strong focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and progressive working practices for both men and women.
Louise Powrie, co-Managing Director of Core-Asset Consulting, said: “This year’s standings perfectly reflect our continually growing upward trajectory which has seen us truly excel as a business.
“We place inclusion at the heart of what we do and have recently launched a new initiative to help improve socio-economic diversity in the sector – this accolade from JP Morgan highlights that we are more than meeting these goals.
“As an Edinburgh-based business that has grown from a start-up into Scotland’s leading financial services recruiter, the report – which celebrates women-powered businesses – should serve as a driver for all companies across the country which are fuelling female ambition and advancing financial equality.
“We are delighted to be a part of underlining the incredibly diverse role that women play in impacting and shaping British businesses and the economy.
“Each and every one of the top 200 businesses deserve their recognition – it’s fantastic high-growth businesses like these that will fuel our future.”
Core-Asset was born out of Betsy’s desire to take the best of her experience of large corporate recruiters, applying the focus on infrastructure and training to a more sector-specialised business.
It ranked 38 out of 200 in the third instalment of the annual JP Morgan report. It analysed over 46,000 companies that together form the UK’s high-growth ecosystem, revealing 13,255 women-powered businesses founded, led, owned, or managed by women.
Charlotte Bobroff and Stephanie Khalef-Wassmer, Co-heads of UK Women & Wealth and Executive Directors at J.P. Morgan Private Bank said: “Investing in the advancement of women is a focus of our firm that we believe is critical.
“Over the years, we have developed and launched a range of resources, networks and tools that enable women to progress in their career journeys as despite their impressive performance, women-powered companies still face the challenge of being underrepresented compared to their male counterparts.”
Core-Asset Consulting is Scotland’s pre-eminent recruitment and headhunting agency dedicated to financial and professional services.
Based in Edinburgh, the firm employs 24 people and works across the entire financial services sector, from the smallest boutiques to the biggest global players.
Initially the firm carved its reputation in Scotland’s globally-renowned asset management sector. However, the success of its model allowed it to expand across the wider financial services market. It now boasts dedicated accounting, investment operations and finance teams and also works in Scotland’s thriving legal sector.
Aldi is currently looking to recruit over 20 new store colleagues across Edinburgh.
In a welcome boost to the local economy, the UK’s fourth largest supermarket is looking for people of all levels of experience to fill roles at its stores across the region including Hermiston Gate, Gilmerton Road, Oxgangs, Commercial Street, and Portobello.
This includes both full-time and part-time positions including Store Management Apprentice, Stock Assistant, and Store Assistant, all the way up to Deputy Managers.
The recruitment push forms part of Aldi’s nationwide expansion drive, with the supermarket set to open an average of one new store a week across the UK between now and Christmas.
Kelly Stokes, Recruitment Director at Aldi UK, said: “As we continue to invest in new stores, we’re looking for more colleagues to join our incredible teams across Edinburgh.
“Working at Aldi means a great working environment and real opportunities to progress within the business and we look forward to welcoming even more people to be a part of our success in the future.”
Starting pay for Store Assistants at Aldi is £11.40 per hour with the supermarket also paying for breaks.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has announced the launch of the inaugural Edinburgh Festival Fringe emerging critic’s programme.
Reviews are a critical tool for Fringe artists, for both raising their profile and encouraging audiences to seek out their work. Over the last few years, the level of arts coverage delivered by media titles across the UK has reduced dramatically compared to pre-pandemic. The Fringe Society’s new pilot project aims to promote arts journalism as an attractive and viable career choice for emerging talent.
Through the 2023 emerging critics programme, the Fringe Society will recruit up to seven emerging writers who will be supported through a learning programme, culminating in attending the festival in August to review shows and see their work published. The titles supporting this pilot include Broadway Baby, Chortle, the Herald, the List, Neurodiverse Review, the Scotsman and the Wee Review.
Following an open recruitment process, successful applicants will be placed with one of these titles. Each emerging critic will meet with a media mentor before spending a week at the Fringe, where they will be officially accredited as 2023 media, watch performances and file reviews with their title.
Lyndsey Jackson, Deputy Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘We’re excited to launch this new project, which is an important step in encouraging young writers to consider culture and the arts as a future career.
“For many artists, a great Fringe review can make their show, and the importance and impact of reviews during August cannot be underestimated for the sector overall. We hope this year’s pilot creates a catalyst for future critics to come and develop their craft here at one of the greatest festivals on earth.
‘We’d like to thank the media titles supporting us in delivering this project over the summer. Their passion and commitment to covering the Fringe every year is testament to the power that this amazing festival has and I’m delighted to see them actively engaged in supporting the next generation of talent.’
Comments from participating titles:
‘A core part of The List’s ethos is to continually search for the next generation of arts writers, and the Fringe’s emerging critics programme feeds perfectly into this’. Brian Donaldson, The List
‘At The Wee Review, we’re delighted to have had two winners of the Fringe’s Young Writer Awards and proud to have given many more their first step on the ladder. In fact, lots of our year-round team originally joined us for the Fringe. It’s a tough but hugely exciting atmosphere to be reviewing in and we look forward to meeting and supporting some new critics as they find that out for themselves!’ Robert Peacock, Wee Review
‘We are very excited to be supporting a disabled critic who will be able to bring a much-needed perspective to work at the Edinburgh Fringe’.Simon Jay, Neurodiverse Review
‘Comedy’s an incredible art form and we’re delighted to be part of this project to widen the pool of informed critics who can give it the considered analysis it deserves at the Fringe, the world’s most extraordinary gathering of comic talent’.Steve Bennett, Chortle
Applications are open now, and will close on Wednesday 28 June, with interviews scheduled for w/c 03 July 2023.
A campaign to recruit new childminders in targeted urban and rural areas to help establish more childminding places for families has been extended, providing more time for people living in Edinburgh City to tap into funding and support available to get started in a new career.
Led by the Scottish Childminding Association, and funded by Scottish Government and participating local authorities including Edinburgh City Council, the ‘Scottish Childminding Partnership’ aims to increase the number of childminding businesses in areas where there are currently not enough childminders to meet the level of demand from families seeking local, high-quality, nurturing and flexible childcare.
A fantastic package of fully funded support and training available to successful applicants, providing everything needed to establish a new childminding business.
The campaign has seen almost 60 new childminders complete or apply for registration with the Care Inspectorate to establish new childminding businesses throughout Scotland but more are needed throughout target areas, including Edinburgh City, to help address the need for more high-quality childcare for families.
Skye Jolly has started her own childminding business in Moray after accessing support and funding available through the recruitment campaign and is delighted with her new career.
“When I first decided to become a childminder I didn’t have a clue where to start so I did some research online and quickly found this new childminder recruitment campaign.
“I think this is a brilliant way for anyone thinking about becoming a childminder to get started because you’re very supported every step of the way. I’m so glad I decided to take the leap, I really love my new career!”
No previous childcare experience is required to become a childminder but applicants do need to be passionate about working with children. It’s an extremely rewarding career option – contributing to children’s development, learning and wellbeing and providing a valuable childcare service within the local community.
Often, people who are looking to get back into work, or who want to switch career into professional childminding, do so to enable them to combine caring for their own children whilst running their own business from home and earning an income.
Those who apply and are accepted on to the pilot will be supported every step of the way by a dedicated member of the SCMA team, from induction training and support through the registration process to establishing their new business.
On completion of registration, new childminders have access to a start-up grant so that they can be reimbursed for some of the initial costs associated with setting up their new business from home*. They will also receive a unique package of childminding-specific training courses.
Graeme McAlister, Chief Executive, Scottish Childminding Association, said: “Whether in rural areas, towns or cities, this form of high-quality childcare is a vital asset to families and the recruitment of more childminders is another important step towards addressing the urgent demand for high-quality childcare from parents and carers.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for people who may be considering getting back into work, or looking for a change of career which supports a better work / life balance, to access a wealth of support in setting up their own sustainable childminding business and to begin a new, rewarding career working with children.”
More information and how to get started by visiting :
*£750 minimum business start-up. The value of start-up grant may vary across local authority areas
SCMA is a national charity and is the only organisation dedicated to supporting all aspects of childminding in Scotland. We provide a wide range of support and professional services including training and events as well as delivering local services for childminders, children and families.
More childminders are needed across the whole of Scotland. This unique pilot is helping to address the specific and urgent need for childcare in particularly remote and rural areas as well as specific urban areas.
Childminding settings provide low child-adult ratios. This means a childminder can provide tailored one-to-one care for each child. Evidence has shown this form of childcare can enhance a child’s early learning, confidence and their social development and is particularly helpful in supporting children with additional support needs, or for children who may struggle in a larger childcare setting such as nursery.
Returning Edinburgh to a ‘must attend’ in the film festival calendar
Screen Scotland is facilitating the appointment of a Chair to lead the formation and operation of the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) from 2024 and a return of Edinburgh to a ‘must attend’ in the film festival calendar.
As the EIFF’s primary public funder, Screen Scotland has been working with industry to develop an initial vision for the re-imagined Festival, and this will inform the selection of the Chair.
The ambition at the heart of this vision includes:
The establishment of an Edinburgh International Film Festival from 2024 that embraces its origins as a festival of discovery and its location in Edinburgh in August with a focus on creative origination and a participatory, experiential approach.
A compact, compelling programme of new fiction features, documentaries and shorts augmented by gala and retrospective titles, as well as live events, providing an interplay between the world’s most exciting new voices and revered, established talent. This dynamic will play out against the backdrop of the world’s largest cultural event – Edinburgh’s August festivals – in any number of imaginative ways to be developed by the Film Festival’s creative team.
Filmmakers in selection will be given a unique platform as part of a select programme. They will be invited to play and create with other makers and storytellers from across the Edinburgh festival landscape. The EIFF will aim to offer a high-profile prize in each competition section.
EIFF will aim to attract diverse and younger audiences due to its energy, programming and proximity to the Festival Fringe.
For those attending the festival from industry, the EIFF’s official programme will also provide an experiential programme of events and unique talent mixers to encourage creative executives, talent agents, producers and acquisitions execs to engage with talent from across the storytelling and visual art landscape.
Isabel Davis, Screen Scotland’s Executive Director said: “This is a golden opportunity for EIFF to seize the unique spirit of festival, creation and discovery that August in Edinburgh represents.
“It will take an exceptional individual to breathe new life into the rekindled Festival – one who can identify and encourage a team to be ambitious, playful, creative and entrepreneurial, who understands the financial challenges and commercial opportunities ahead, and bring strong governance skills into the setup process.
Davis added that: “EIFF in August is a counterpoint to the nationally significant and highly respected Glasgow Film Festival in March, with both festivals providing exposure for Scottish talent across the year and offering a diverse, high-quality range of films to audiences across Scotland.
“We’re especially thankful to 2023 EIFF programming director Kate Taylor, who will be announcing her selection in the weeks to come and who is already embracing the spirit of 2024 and beyond. And enormous gratitude to the Edinburgh International Festival who have thrown a sisterly arm around EIFF for 2023 and are generously hosting it in this exceptional year.”
Culture Minister Christina McKelviesaid: “Following the 2023 edition of the film festival taking place under the umbrella of the Edinburgh International Festival, I am delighted that Screen Scotland are taking these steps to secure the future of the EIFF for 2024 and beyond.
“Given this key moment in the film festival’s prestigious 76-year history, I am sure there will be a lot of interest in this exciting and important role. It is an opportunity to take forward the vital work of the film festival and the strategic part it plays not only in the overall line-up of our international summer festivals in Edinburgh, but in shaping the future of Scotland’s burgeoning screen sector.”
The recruitment pack provides full details and how to apply. Deadline for applications is 12 noon, Monday 12 June, 2023.
Please see details attached for two new posts we are recruiting, Link Up community development workers, 12hpw and 35 hpw fixed term to March 2026.
I would be grateful if you could share these widely amongst your networks, freelance colleagues, and participants to ensure as wide a constituency as possible is aware of the roles.
The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) has recruited a record 1,388 staff and introduced 52 additional ambulances in the past three years as part of its Demand and Capacity Programme.
Launched in 2019, the Demand and Capacity programme is the largest and most complex programme ever undertaken at the Scottish Ambulance Service, with multi-million-pound investment from the Scottish Government enabling hundreds of new A&E staff – Paramedics, Technicians, Ambulance Care Assistants and Advanced Practitioners – to be recruited.
464 frontline A&E staff have been recruited this financial year, in addition to recruitment of 924 over the previous two years.
Of the 464 this past year, 368 are Trainee Technicians, 33 are Qualified Paramedics, 47 Newly Qualified Paramedics, 6 Advanced Practitioners and 10 Qualified Technicians. 153 were recruited for the East Region, 105 for the North Region and 206 for the West Region.
Over the last three years, the estates element of programme has also enabled the opening of ten new stations, including nine co-locations with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at Ardrossan, Dreghorn, Clarkston, Penicuik, McDonald Road in Edinburgh, Crewe Toll, Sighthill, Bathgate and Aberdeen Central.
Scottish Ambulance Service Chief Executive Pauline Howie said: “The aim of the Demand and Capacity Programme is to ensure we are working as effectively as possible by having the right resources in place to deliver the most appropriate care for the people of Scotland.
“The increase in staffing and resources, coupled with alignment of shift patterns to patient demand profiles, aims to improve patient safety and staff welfare and has involved a considerable amount of work behind the scenes.
“With demand for our services increasing across the country and additional pressures that have been brought about by the pandemic, this investment has been vital in protecting our response to patients and supporting our existing staff.
Health Secretary Michael Matheson said: “Our increased investment to support the Scottish Ambulance Service through their Demand and Capacity review is helping to ensure the right resources are in place across the country to deliver a high-quality emergency service to the people of Scotland.
“These additional resources will help support existing staff, who have shown remarkable resilience in the face of sustained pressure over the last three years, and I thank them for their continued dedication and hard work.”
