Work plays a huge role in all of our lives. It is where we spend much of our time, it shapes our routines, builds our skills, and brings us into contact with people who influence our journey. But work should be more than simply “a job.” It should be a place where people feel valued, supported, and fairly rewarded.
Fair pay and sustainable jobs should not be seen as a bonus, they should be the standard. Yet, for many, progressing at work or finding roles that fit their lives can feel out of reach. That is where Advance comes in.
Advance is a city-wide partnership funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, bringing together three organisations: Enable, Forth Sector, and The Action Group. Together, we provide a unique blend of employability and welfare rights support.
Enable and Forth Sector guide individuals through employability journeys, whether that is preparing for interviews, building confidence, or exploring new career paths. Meanwhile, The Action Group delivers welfare rights advice, ensuring that people have access to the right information and support to make informed choices.
By working hand in hand, these services empower people to take the next step in their career while also feeling secure in their wider circumstances.
Advance focuses on two key areas: in-work progression and retention.
Progression might mean exploring opportunities for better pay, more responsibility, or roles that offer stability and sustainability. For some, it is about taking the leap into management, and Advance can provide training in resilience and leadership to make that step feel possible. For others, it could be moving into a new sector, such as customer service, where they can transfer their skills into a fresh environment.
Retention support is just as important. Sometimes the key to thriving in work is ensuring that the role you are already in works well for you. Advance can help facilitate conversations between employees and employers, exploring reasonable adjustments or ways of working that ensure both sides feel heard and supported.
Looking for, applying to, and starting a new role can be overwhelming. Even knowing where to begin can feel daunting. Advance provides practical tools, from CV support to interview preparation, as well as ongoing encouragement to ensure people feel confident about their decisions.
The following examples have been anonymised, but reflect the real experiences of participants we have supported through Advance.
One individual had been working with Wingstop for some time but felt unsure about how to take the next step into management. Through engaging with Advance, they took part in resilience training and received tailored application and interview support. With this guidance, they progressed into a Team Leader role, gaining more responsibility and better pay in a workplace they already enjoyed being part of.
Another participant had been self-employed for several years but found the uncertainty of irregular income difficult to manage. With support from Advance, they were able to secure a permanent contract as a delivery driver with Iceland. This shift provided them with greater job security, consistent income, and the stability to plan for their future with confidence.
Advance also provides specialist welfare rights advice, which can be just as important for ensuring people feel secure and able to move forward. For example, one participant whose job was unexpectedly ending received a benefit check, guidance on Universal Credit and Scottish Child Payment, and advice around mental health support. This gave them a clearer picture of their entitlements and the confidence to plan ahead while searching for a new role.
Advance is about more than employability. It is about fairness, confidence, and helping people believe that the next step in their working life is possible. Everyone deserves a job that not only pays fairly but also supports growth and wellbeing.
If you are ready to think about what you want from your job, whether that is a step up, a shift to something new, or simply making your current role work better for you, Advance is here and in your corner.
Meg Wilson - Performance Manager, Enable Works
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