EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND WORK

Employability refers to the pathways and support services that help you the get a job and develop your career. The services are usually offered through the local councils and different organisations that will help you to identify your skills to facilitate your search for a job.

In the case of refugees or people who have been granted other forms of humanitarian protection including displaced people, have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, people seeking for asylum in the UK do not have an automatic right to work while their asylum case is being considered.

However, if a person seeking for asylum has not received an initial decision after twelve months, the applicant can request permission to work from the Home Office. In the case that the permission to work is granted, the person seeking for asylum can only apply for jobs that are included on the list of shortage occupations published by UK Visas and Immigration, to check the list click here.

PATHWAY TO YOUR JOB

CAREERS INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE

Skills Development Scotland is Scotland’s national skills body and provides career information, advice and guidance, as well as work-based training programmes aimed at building career management skills. They support a wide range of pathways into work, including Modern Apprenticeships.

QUALIFICATIONS RECOGNITION

People with a non-UK professional qualification may need to have their qualification officially recognised to work in a profession that is regulated in the UK. It will need to be recognised by the appropriate regulator for a particular profession. Professionals with non-UK qualifications should contact the appropriate UK or Scottish regulator for further information. If professionals are uncertain of the appropriate regulator, they can contact: UK Centre of Professional Qualifications
[UKCPQ] to find out which regulatory or professional body they should contact for further information on how to get their professional qualification recognised. If your qualification has already been officially recognised by the relevant UK regulator, make sure you understand the terms of your recognition decision by checking in with that regulator.

FINDING A JOB

Jobcentre Plus helps people to find and progress in work, including those who are unemployed and claiming benefits. Visit your nearest Jobcentre Plus for help with finding a job and information on any benefits you and your family might be entitled to or find out more about how to manage an existing benefit, payment or claim. You can find more information on the support services for working, jobs and careers

APPLYING FOR BASIC DISCLOSURE

A basic disclosure is a criminal record check issued by Disclosure Scotland an executive agency of the Scottish Government. This is often required by employers when you are applying for a job. You get a certificate showing any ‘unspent’ criminal convictions you may have that are recorded in records held in the UK. In the UK, a conviction can be either spent or unspent. There is information about the rules in Scotland when a conviction can become spent. You need to declare an unspent conviction to an employer if asked. You can use this basic disclosure certificate to show to prospective employers or other people that need to know this information. There is a fee that must be paid when a basic disclosure application is made.

NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBER -NINO-

You have a National Insurance number to make sure your National Insurance contributions and tax are recorded against your name only. It’s made up of letters and numbers and never changes. You can look for and start work without a National Insurance number if you can prove you can work in the UK. You can also go online to allow you to authorise an employer to access your data to prove that you have the right to work in the UK. Employers are required to conduct mandatory Right to Work checks on all prospective employees. Having a National Insurance number is not part of these checks, and the possession of a National Insurance number does not prove that an individual has a right to work. Find more information on how to obtain a National Insurance number. As part of the application process for a National Insurance number, you may be required to attend a face-to-face appointment where the Department for Work and Pensions can validate and confirm your identity and right to work.

For more information about any of our programs, feel free to get in touch.

OTHER PATHWAYS FOR A JOB

VOLUNTEERING

Welcome to Aberdeen is committed to helping the neediest among the San Francisco area community. Learn more about our charitable Activities for the Elderly program, and see how you can help make it even better and more impactful. Whether you’re looking to donate money or want to volunteer your time, we are happy to receive any help you can give.

APPRENTICESHIPS

People with refugee or humanitarian protection status can participate in modern apprenticeships. Modern apprenticeships in Scotland can offer you opportunities to learn on the job, get the experience you need, and work towards a qualification.

Graduate Apprenticeships provide work-based learning opportunities up to Master’s degree level for new and existing employees. They have been created in partnership with industry and the further and higher education sector. The apprenticeships combine academic knowledge with skills development to enable in the labour market.

For more information about the apprenticeships click on the following list:

-My world of work

- Modern apprenticeships

- Skills development Scotland

WELFARE BENEFITS

Refugees, displaced people and people who have been granted humanitarian protection have the right to access welfare benefits. Support for people seeking employment, in terms of support into work and access to benefits, remains reserved to the UK Government. This includes welfare benefits, including Universal Credit.

Asylum Seekers have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) and therefore are restricted from accessing certain public funds which are defined under Immigration Rules.

UNIVERSAL CREDIT

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly - or twice a month for some people in Scotland. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.

You’ll stop getting these benefits and tax credits when you or your partner claims Universal Credit. If you or your partner gets Pension Credit, this will also stop if one of you claims Universal Credit.

This will not affect any other benefits you’re getting, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Carer’s Allowance.

For more information click here.

WORKING

Once you find a job there are some rights and responsibilities you must be aware. These are some of them. For more information you check the UK's government Office of employment, click here for getting more information.

WAGES AND PAYMENT

Most employees are paid every month, but some may be paid every week. Workers in Scotland must be paid at least the legal National Minimum Wage. Always check with your employee these conditions.

WORKING TIME

The Working Time Regulations state that:
- the average weekly working time is no more than 48 hours (you can choose to work longer but this must be agreed in writing with your employer)
- night workers average daily working time is limited to 8 hours
- health assessments must be offered to night workers
- minimum rest periods are daily (11 hours) and weekly (1 day)
- rest breaks at work (20 minutes every 6 hours)
- paid annual leave (4 weeks – pro rata)

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTECTION

Both you and your employer are responsible for health and safety in the workplace. You have the right to a workplace free of recognised health and safety hazards. Laws are in place to protect you from employers who put profit before the health and safety of workers.
If you have concerns about the health and safety in your workplace.

STATUTORY SICK PAY -SSP-

Employees absent from work through illness for more than 4 days and who pay enough National Insurance -NI- contribution which is paid by the employer. Agency workers paying NI contributions may be entitled to SSP depending on whether they are working at the time of illness.

STATUTORY MATERNITY PAY -SMP-

Pregnant employees/workers with 26 weeks continuous employment by the 15th week before childbirth have the right to SMP. If you do not qualify for SMP you may be able to claim maternity allowance from your local benefits office depending on your NI contributions.

PAID HOLIDAYS

Almost all workers are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks paid annual leave (28 days for someone working five days a week). This can include public holidays. Part- time workers must be treated the same as full-time workers in their terms and conditions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

All workers in the UK have the right to be protected from discrimination by their employer. This includes discrimination no matter your race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion or beliefs. If you feel you have been discriminated against you can raise this matter with Citizens Advice Bureau or can also access to support at the Grampian Regional Equality Council -GREC-.

Within UK law there are identified groups of people who have protection against discrimination in the workplace or in the provision of goods and services. These groups are what are termed as the nine protected characteristics of equality i.e. Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage & Civil Partnership, Pregnancy & Maternity, Race, Religion & Belief, Sex and Sexual Orientation.

TAXES

If you are an employee, your employer will deduct Income Tax and National Insurance (NI) from your wages each time you are paid and send it to the Inland Revenue. This is known as Pay As You Earn (PAYE). You may be entitled to a tax rebate when/if you return to your home country. If you are employed and are aged between 16 and 65, you must pay National Insurance Contributions (NICs). Some statutory payments (e.g. statutory sick pay and statutory maternity pay), depend on the contributions you have paid. An employer can only make deductions if they are:
- required by law (e.g., PAYE or NI deductions)
- allowed by the worker’s contract/ have your permission
- agreed to by the worker in writing before the deduction is made

SUPPORT AND ADVICE IN ABERDEEN

FIND A JOB (DEPARTMENT FOR WORK & PENSIONS)

The Department for Work & Pensions offers a portal for finding and applying to a job. You must create an account for applying. For further information go to the website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions

MY JOBS SCOTLAND

Is a national (Scottish) job portal that advertises jobs for almost every sector. In the portal you can create an account that allows you to apply to the jobs. For further information you can consult https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/

ABZ WORKS

ABZ Works is a service available to Aberdeen residents who are looking for support to develop confidence, knowledge, skills or experience so they can work towards achieving their goals of progressing into employment, education or training. We deliver a range of employability programmes for those aged between 16 and 67, supporting people from all walks of life and at all stages of their working life. We also provide a range of redundancy advice and support. For more information click here.

START SCOTLAND

Fair Start Scotland is a flexible employment support service to help you get ready for work and achieve your potential. We believe that everyone should have the same opportunity to access a job that is right for them no matter what their circumstances.

ABERDEEN FOYER

Working with partners we are able to provide a variety of learning and training opportunities to suit people at different points of their journey into work.

MY WORLD OF WORK

My world of work is a career information and advice website developed by the Skills Development Scotland (SDS). In the website you will fin useful information about managing your career, writing your CV or having advice. For further information click here.

PATHWAYS

Pathways is a charity that can help you in the process of finding a job. They can support you in:

Identify the job you want
Develop a plan to reach your job goal
Develop or update your CV
Complete application forms, including online applications
Prepare for interviews
Access funds to remove barriers to work e.g. training or equipment needs
Look for job or training opportunities

Pathways works in partnership with a number of organisations, including Grampian Housing, Grampian Women's Aid, NHS Grampian and community centres. For more information click here.

KEY WORDS

WELFARE BENEFITS

List Body

DISABILITY BENEFITS

A range of disability related financial support which includes payments, grants, tax credits and benefits. Your local employment centre (Jobcentre Plus) will be able to help you with these.

NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBER

(social security) contributions and tax are recorded on your individual tax account. You can start work without a National Insurance number if you can prove you have the right to work in the UK.

PROTECTION FOR WHISTLEBLOWING

If you are a worker, and you are concerned over something you feel is wrong such as someone’s health and safety is in danger, you are protected by law. This can be raised in confidence with your employer, and you should not be treated unfairly or lose your job.

STATE PENSION CREDIT

A financial benefit providing extra money for pensioners to help with living costs if you are over the UK State pension age and on a low income.

UNIVERSAL CREDIT

The payment is made up of a basic ‘standard allowance’ and extra payments that might apply to you depending on your circumstances.

KEY ORGANISATIONS

JOBCENTRE PLUS

A government funded employment agency and social security office found in most towns and cities. Their aim is to help people to find employment in the UK and they are also responsible for all benefit claims.

NATIONAL CAREERS SERVICE

A government funded agency providing careers information, advice, learning and training in your career. This service is for anyone aged 13 years and over.

THE UK CENTRE FOR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (UK CPQ)

Is designated by the UK government to provide advice and guidance on the recognition of professional qualifications in an international context.

ABZ WORKS

For more information click here.