Connecting Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative managed by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations. Find out more
Employability
We’ve pulled together some of our favourite resources on employability, providing a description of what they are and who created them. We’ve also identified if they’re Lessons, Videos, Websites, Apps or Resources. You can click on the link and it will take you to the resource. If you know of any great resources that we haven’t included you can send it to us at help@connecting.scot
Getting started
For some people, they may be at the beginning of their employability journey. They may require support to help them think about what kind of job they want, and support to help them overcome a range of barriers to employment.
Essential Digital Skills Checkup by SCVO (Resource)
Start off with a quick skills check-up, to establish which areas your learner wants to work on. You can use the checkup for Foundation, Life or Work skills. They should take no longer than ten minutes to complete. When you are finished you can choose to have your results emailed to you.
My World of Work from Skills Development Scotland, Scotland’s national skills agency (Website)
“When it comes to your career, there are so many possibilities. But where do you begin? We’re not just here to get you started – we’re here to guide you every step of the way.”
This website can be used by those on their employability journey as well as those supporting them.
Developing the right skills for your future by the Bank of Scotland Academy (Lesson)
It can be hard to know where to start with your development. However, understanding your goals and breaking down the steps to meet them is a great place to start your journey. In this module, we will show you how to do this and build your roadmap so you can leave this module feeling ready to take those first steps.
Open Learn: Skills for Life Free learning from the Open University (Website)
This may be best suited for those starting their employability journey and furthest from the job market. The Skills for Life section has a range of free courses on Health & Wellbeing, Money & Finance, Family & Relationships, and Skills for Work.
UC Helper App: This resource was created by Hyde Housing, with support from Catalyst and The National Lottery
This is a tool to guide claimants through the UC application process, as well as a handy reference guide for staff helping customers complete a claim. It’s designed to be data light, and looks best on a mobile or tablet (but works fine on a laptop!).
Job searching
Learn My Way: Job Hunting Online by Good Things Foundation (Lesson)
Online application forms
Grammarly (App) You can download this as an app on your iPad or as a Chrome web extension on a Chromebook, picking the free option. From grammar and spelling to style and tone, Grammarly helps you eliminate writing errors and find the perfect words to express yourself. You’ll get real-time feedback from Grammarly on Gmail, Google Docs, Twitter, LinkedIn, and nearly everywhere else you find yourself writing. Grammarly is a writing assistant that offers you specific suggestions to help you improve your writing — and it goes way beyond grammar.
SQA Guide to completing online forms (Lesson) will help learners understand how to fill in boxes, use radio buttons, click and drag, and save/submit forms.
SQA Guide to applying for a job (Lesson) will show learners how to search for jobs, create an account, fill in an application form, send a CV as an attachment and adapt a cover letter.
Preparing for work
Google Digital Garage: Speaking in public (Lesson)
Indeed: Video Interview Guide (Resource)
Google Digital Garage: Build confidence with self-promotion (Lesson)
Open University: Developing Career Resilience (Lesson)
Open University: Internships and Other Work Experiences (Lesson)
Future Learn: Essential Skills for Your Career Development (Lesson)
Open University: Working in Diverse Teams (Lesson)
Work skills: Communication
Zoom: How to join a Zoom meeting (Resource)
Microsoft Teams: Video Guides (Resource)
Use FaceTime with your iPad (Resource)
Google for Education: How to get started with Google Meet (Video)
Future Learn: Communication and Interpersonal Skills at Work (Lesson)
Open University: Effective Communication in the Workplace (Lesson)
Google for Education: Communicate Effectively at Work (Lesson)
Work skills: G-Suite
G-Suite is Google’s collection of office applications (apps) to create word documents (Google Docs), spreadsheets (Google Sheets) and presentations (Google Slides). Chromebooks come with these applications and the files can be saved in different formats e.g. as a Microsoft Word file (.doc).
Google Docs training and help (Resource)
Google Sheets training and help (Resource)
Google Slides training and help (Resource)
Create a CV in Google Docs (Resource)
Work offline in Google Drive (video) (Resource)
Google Workspace (Resource)
Work skills: Microsoft Office apps
You don't need to pay for a Microsoft Office package on your iPad or Chromebook. You can download and use the app versions of Office for free. Here are some resources to help learners use each app:
Outlook for e-mail (Resource)
Word for documents (Resource)
Excel for spreadsheets (Resource)
PowerPoint for presentations (Resource)
SharePoint for collaborating with colleagues (Resource)
OneDrive for storing your personal documents (Resource)
Work skills: Apple iWork
iWork is Apple's office environment. Pages, Numbers and Keynote are free productivity apps on iPad that come with templates and design tools making it easy to get started.
Pages (App) let you effortlessly create sensational-looking documents. Pages is the most beautiful word processor you’ve ever seen on a mobile device. Start with an Apple-designed template to instantly create gorgeous reports, digital books, CVs, posters and more. Or use a blank document and create your own design. Easily add images, movies, audio, charts and shapes.
Pages for iPad in Apple Teacher Learning Centre (Resource)
With Keynote (App), it’s easy to create and deliver stunning presentations. Keynote is the most powerful presentation app ever designed for a mobile device. Built from the ground up for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, it makes creating a world-class presentation — complete with animated charts and cinematic transitions — as simple as touching and tapping.
Keynote for iPad in Apple Teacher Learning Centre (Resource)
Numbers (App) is the most innovative spreadsheet app ever designed for a mobile device. Created exclusively for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, Numbers includes support for Multi-Touch gestures and Smart Zoom so you can create powerful spreadsheets using just your fingers.
Numbers for iPad in Apple Teacher Learning Centre (Resource)
With Pages, Numbers and Keynote for iCloud, you can access and edit all your documents on an iPhone, iPad, Mac or PC web browser. Just sign in to iCloud.com, open the web app and start working.
Work skills: E-mail
Google’s own guide to Gmail (Resource)
The GCF Introduction to Gmail (Resource)
Using Gmail (Videos)
British Council: English for emails (Lessons)
Add an attachment to an email on your iPad (Resource)
Learning and qualifications
Open Learn (Website/Lessons) Free learning from the Open University. Learners can create an account and enrol on free courses, earning digital badges of a Statement of participation to evidence your learning.
SQA Academy (Website/Lessons) Free courses on a range of topics including ESOL, Internet Safety, and MetaSkills (self-management, social intelligence and innovation). There are also a variety of Learning Guides on topics such as video calls, online transactions and using price comparison websites.
Explore Coding
Swift Playgrounds (App) is a revolutionary app that makes it fun to learn and experiment with code. You solve interactive puzzles in the guided “Learn to Code” lessons to master the basics of coding, or experiment with a wide range of challenges that let you explore many unique coding experiences.
Swift Playgrounds requires no coding knowledge, so it’s perfect for students just starting out, from twelve to one-hundred-and-twelve. The whole time you are learning Swift, a powerful programming language created by Apple and used by professionals to build many of today’s most popular apps. And because it’s built to take full advantage of iPad and the real iPadOS SDK, Swift Playgrounds is a first-of-its-kind learning experience.
The Everyone Can Code curriculum will guide you through Swift Playgrounds. It will help you introduce coding in the same language used by professional app developers.
Everyone Can Code Puzzles (Apple Books)
Everyone Can Code Adventures (Apple Books)
Google Digital Garage: Understand the Basics of Code (Lesson)
Volunteering and job opportunities
Volunteer Scotland (Website) is the national centre for volunteering in Scotland. Volunteering may be a helpful stepping stone for those taking steps towards employment. Search the database for a range of local volunteering opportunities.
Community Jobs Scotland (Website) Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) is an employability programme delivered by SCVO which works with voluntary sector employers to create job opportunities for unemployed people aged 16 to 29.
The programme has a focus on those most disadvantaged in the labour market – those who are care experienced or are carers themselves, early Armed Forces service leavers, those with criminal convictions and those who have disabilities or other health issues – and has already created jobs for 9,500 young people across the country.
Goodmoves (Website) SCVO’s job search website for roles in Scotland’s voluntary sector
Self-employment and business start-up
Business Gateway (Website) Support to help open, adapt and rebuild your business.
Scottish Enterprise (Website) Business finance resources, including support, guidance and funding opportunities.
MyGov.Scot (Website) Advice on setting up as a sole trader
Money Advice Service (Website) How to start a business or become self-employed