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
Initiated and coordinated by ERSA, Employability Day presents an opportunity for the whole sector to come together and demonstrate the impactful work on individuals and communities.
This year’s theme is Inactivity to Opportunity to Good Work.
Our Employer Relationship Manager, Neil Pedersen, has written about the Joined Up for Business jobs fairs which connect job seekers with recruiting employers in Edinburgh.
Earlier this month, the Joined Up For Business team marked a major milestone by hosting their ninth Community Job Fair, this time at the Carrickvale Community Centre. What started just a year ago as a small local initiative has grown into a powerful citywide movement connecting job seekers with employers—right in the heart of their communities.
The first Community Job Fair took place in June 2023 in Gilmerton, with a simple but powerful idea: bring job opportunities into local neighbourhoods. Feedback from job seekers showed that large city centre events could feel overwhelming or inaccessible. Smaller, community-based fairs offered a friendlier, more familiar space to explore employment options.
In that first year alone, the fairs expanded to Newington, Gorgie, and Muirhouse, drawing in 260 job seekers. The momentum only grew. In the second year, the team took the fairs to Broomhouse, Craigmillar, Leith, and South Edinburgh, welcoming 625 job seekers through the doors.
As the fairs evolved, they became more than just a place to find work. They became a hub for advice, support, and connection. Thanks to strong partnerships with organisations like Community Renewal, Leith Jobcentre, and Space, the fairs began to attract not just employers but also support services.
This led to the development of Job and Advice Fairs, where job seekers could also access guidance on everything from interview preparation to benefits advice. Support services like Smartworks, Citizens Advice Bureau, Thrive, and Home Energy Scotland joined the mix, helping attendees tackle the wider challenges of getting back into work.
Employers from a broad spectrum of industries have been enthusiastic participants. Previous fairs have featured opportunities in:
Feedback from employability providers across Edinburgh has been overwhelmingly positive. They’ve told us that these events are not only practical—they’re confidence-building. Meeting employers face-to-face helps job seekers feel more prepared and more motivated to apply.
Looking ahead to 2025/26, the fairs are taking a more sector-specific approach. The recent event at Carrickvale focused on Healthcare, Social Care, and Childcare—three vital sectors with ongoing demand for skilled and compassionate workers.
As we approach the festive season, plans are underway for a Retail and Hospitality-focused fair, recognising the seasonal hiring opportunities and long-term career pathways in those sectors.
Want to stay in the loop? Keep an eye on our website and follow us on social media for all the latest updates on upcoming events.
Neil Pedersen, Employer Relationship Manager, reflects on Joined Up for Business jobs fairs for Employability Day 2025.
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