The Employability SEN is a national support network for social enterprises who deliver a wide variety of flexible person-centred employability services, often for people furthest from the labour market.
As part of a strong employability infrastructure, SEN members significantly contribute to a fairer, more inclusive society - a priority for Scottish Government
The aims of the Employability SEN are to:
- Increase awareness and understanding of members and their contribution to Scotland’s employability landscape
- Promote the role our members play in tackling inequalities and delivering a wellbeing economy
- Represent members’ interests and influence decision makers ensuring that the policy environment meets members’ needs and aspirations
- Ensure members’ skills, knowledge, expertise and engagement, with people furthest from the labour market, is recognised and valued.
- Ensure members are better informed, supported and networked
The Employability SEN has around 300 members across Scotland. Membership is free to any SE code-compliant organisation delivering employability outcomes including health and wellbeing, social inclusion and equalities outcomes.
Employability SEN members are often referred to as Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) – a social enterprise with a specific focus on helping people with a disability or disadvantage into employment. WISEs offer a lifeline to some of our most vulnerable people – through person centred jobs, training and education, skills development and social networks, which also contributes to increased confidence, raised self-esteem and improved health and wellbeing. WISEs focus on enabling people to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, valued for their contribution to society.
‘Work Integration Social Enterprises (including social firms and supported businesses) exist mainly to improve the employability and employment prospects of people furthest from the labour market. The evidence…. tells us that collectively this already adds up to a very substantial contribution to volunteering, job creation, social inclusion, and employability in Scotland’ (Scotland's Social Enterprise Strategy 2016-2026)