On 4th and 5th September 2024, a community learning exchange was held in Oban, focusing on rural employability partnerships. Hosted by Inspiralba, Fyne Futures, Oban Youth Cafe and HELP and with support from the Scottish Community Alliance, the event brought together 32 participants from third-sector organisations, local councils, and national bodies.

The exchange aimed to explore collaborative delivery models, build connections across rural social enterprises, and share experiences of partnership working in employability services. Using the World Café method, participants discussed what enables and inhibits successful collaboration, identifying key enablers such as trust, shared goals, and adaptability, while recognising challenges like resource limitations, organisational and regional complexities.

The event fostered insightful conversations and laid the foundation for strengthening future partnerships in rural employability, offering a valuable platform for learning, sharing, and planning next steps.

Read the full report below: