Third Sector Employability Forum (TSEF) and TSEF Executive Group

Third Sector Employability Forum (TSEF) has been established as a platform to provide an effective voice reflecting the diversity of third sector organisations operating in the field of employability services. We aim to facilitate a means of communicating these views to both central and local government, in order to influence public services, how they are funded and how they are commissioned.

We support a partnership approach in the design, delivery, implementation, and improvement of employability services for the benefit of the people who need them.

This Forum harnesses the combined strengths of the third sector, nationally and locally, in order to help deliver a strong, vibrant and successful employability system. Our starting point is that the needs and aspirations of those seeking employment are paramount. Services need to be designed in ways that are accessible to those seeking work, provide the skills and support they need, and help them to gain, or progress into jobs which will lift them out of poverty. In a post COVID economy, effective support and provision, particularly for those furthest from labour market, is never more needed. We work closely with Scottish Government and represent the third sector on workstreams developing new policy areas, such as No One Left Behind and the Young Person's Guarantee.

We are a diverse and complex group of people, representing charities, Third Sector Interfaces, social enterprises, not for profit training providers and employers, and are well placed to connect employability services into other relevant policy areas such as health, housing and community justice.

TSEF is the place where the Scottish Government can go to hear the views of the third sector on employability policy and practice, and to collaborate on areas such as commissioning of services, partnership working, user voice, service design, equalities, supporting those who need it most and sharing best practice.

We have a free online community of interest where you can ask, answer, inform, share, discuss and celebrate all matters employability. If you work for a third sector organisation interested in employability in Scotland, and wish to join, please email rachel.lenoan@scvo.scot

TSEF is supported by an Executive Group of volunteers selected to represent the diversity of voices on the Forum. The Executive Group meets at least 12 times a year to help drive forward issues raised via the Forum, coordinate representation at a national level and support a relevant programme of events and consultations. Minutes from meetings will be shared on the Forum's platform.

Comments and suggestions are welcomed by the Executive Group and you can contact members directly. Their details are provided below.

Grant Alexander, Link Group (Chair)
Pegs Bailey, Fife Voluntary Action
Jayne Chappell, SENScot
Blyth Deans, The Lennox Partnership
Lorna Forrest, SCVO
Louise Goodlad, Princes Trust Scotland
John Hinton, Move On
Tommy McDade, Barnardo's
Leona McDermid, Aberdeen Foyer
Ged McEneany, Apex Scotland
Ashley Ryan, ENABLE
Dougie Stevenson, Street League
Robin Turner, Routes To Work 

The Group is also supported by Hazel Benza, Third Sector secondee to The Scottish Government. 

TSEF Membership Biographies