New ESOL for Employability Projects
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Stacey Cuthbertson updates on new ESOL for employability pilot projects that are currently underway across the city. These pilots aim to meet people where they are, offering community-based and employability-focused ESOL that advice services can confidently refer into.
New ESOL for Employability Projects
Demand for ESOL in Edinburgh continues to rise, and advice services are often the first place people turn when language barriers prevent access to work, training, benefits, housing, or healthcare.
To help address long waiting lists and gaps in provision, six ESOL pilot projects are running across the city from October 2025 to March 2026. These projects complement existing ESOL provision and offer more flexible, targeted routes into learning, employability, and onward support.
Many people supported across the city:
Are on long ESOL waiting lists
Cannot access college-based provision due to childcare, transport, or digital barriers
Need ESOL alongside advocacy, confidence-building, and employability support
These pilots aim to meet people where they are, offering community-based and employability-focused ESOL that advice services can confidently refer into.
Overview of the New ESOL Projects
Community Renewal - Next Step ESOL
Beginner and intermediate classes with very small group sizes, alongside 1:2:1 caseworker support and clear volunteering routes. Suitable for clients who need close, personalised support.
Fresh Start - ESOL
Supports learners from zero English through to intermediate level. Combines classroom learning with practical, experiential opportunities through Fresh Start’s Pantry, kitchen, and gardens. Strong wraparound and anti-isolation focus.
LINKnet - English for Specific Purposes
Intermediate to advanced ESOL linked directly to sectors such as care, retail, administration, and catering. Online classes and a conversation café support clients preparing for specific job roles.
University of Edinburgh - Centre for Open Learning
Semi-intensive beginner courses (A1.1 and A1.2) delivered over ten weeks, focusing on language learning and cultural integration, with progression into the wider city ESOL network.
The Welcoming - STEP (Skills, Training and Education Progressions)
Provides ESOL registration support, writing workshops, and digital skills development, with pathways into college and employment. Particularly helpful for clients unsure where or how to start.
Space @ The Broomhouse Hub - Skills for Success!
Combines ESOL with workplace skills, tailored 1:1 support, and access to an accredited English qualification. Suitable for clients closer to employment who need targeted language support.
These projects are not intended to replace existing ESOL provision, but to fill gaps, reduce barriers, and improve progression.
What’s Next
Monitoring and evaluation are underway, with a focus on understanding what works best for different groups and barriers. Learning from these pilots will inform future ESOL investment and planning across Edinburgh.
Fuller details on all projects can be found here:
For further information, contact Stacey Cuthbertson at stacey.cuthbertson@capitalcitypartnership.org
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