Public performance reports
Employability
The Council Plan Connect outlines the council’s priorities and outcomes for 2022-27. Connect Outcomes should not be seen in isolation, they interact with each other, and as we achieve success in one, we move closer to success in others. In delivering our vision to ‘improve the lives and prospects of everyone in South Lanarkshire’, our priorities show how our work links with our partners, including our Community Planning Partners.
For daily updates, stories and what’s going on in your area, visit our information and news website South Lanarkshire View
Each year, we produce Annual Performance Spotlights that summarise how we have performed in achieving our Connect Outcomes. To complement these, we have created a suite of individual Public Performance Reports which focus on key areas of council business. This report outlines performance in relation to our Economic Development service and how this links to the Our Economy outcome of thriving business, fair jobs and vibrant town centres.
South Lanarkshire Works, the council’s employability service, delivers a range of programmes and services designed to support South Lanarkshire residents to develop the skills and experience to progress into sustainable employment.
Our programmes include vocational learning opportunities for secondary school pupils in S5-S6, keyworker-based support for priority target groups, including young people, parents and people experiencing health-related barriers to employment.
We also provide a range of employability learning opportunities, including confidence-building groupwork, sector-based training, supported volunteering and work placements.
Unemployed people assisted into work
Target – Percentage higher than the previous year
What this means
This indicator shows the percentage of unemployed people assisted into work from council-funded/operated employability programmes
Why this matters
Investing in employment opportunities results in an increase in the number of people supported into sustainable employment. This results not just in a positive economic outcome but can also typically lead to improvements across a wide range of social outcomes.
Our performance and how we compare
| Comparator | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2024-25 | Are we improving? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLC | 12.90% | 11.30% | 13.40% | Yes |
| Scotland | Not available | 12.10% | 12.60% | Yes |
How we have performed in improving this public service
South Lanarkshire has achieved a year-on-year increase in the percentage of unemployed people assisted into work from council-funded/operated employability programmes; however, it is noted that the Scottish average has increased, and as a result, the South Lanarkshire figure is lower than the Scottish average.
The employability programmes in South Lanarkshire are focused on the people furthest away from the labour market.
Participation rate for 16-19 year olds
Target – Percentage higher than the previous year
What this means
This indicator shows the percentage of young people aged 16-19 who are participating in education, employment or training.
Why this matters
The council and its partners in Skills Development Scotland have developed tracking processes, including regular home visits to identify and provide support to young people not participating.
Our performance and how we compare
| Comparator | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Are we improving? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLC | 93.3% | 93.8% | 94% | Yes |
| Scotland | 92.6% | 92.7% | 93.3% | Yes |
How we have performed in improving this public service
South Lanarkshire has achieved a year-on-year increase in the participation rate and remains above (better than) the Scottish average.
Claimant count as % of working age population
Target – Percentage lower than the previous year
What this means
This indicator shows claimant count as a percentage of the working age population
Why this matters
A lower claimant count demonstrates that fewer people of working age are unemployed and actively seeking employment. The council funds Routes to Work South (RTWS) to deliver the Gateway to Employment programme that supports unemployed people to progress into work.
Our performance and how we compare
| Comparator | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Are we improving? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLC | 3.2% | 2.8% | 2.6% | Yes |
| Scotland | Not available | 3.1% | 3.0% | Yes |
How we have performed in improving this public service
The figure for 2024/25 shows improvement (0.2%) in comparison with 2023/24, and at 2.6% is lower (better) than the Scottish average (3%).
Claimant count as % of 16-24 population
Target – Percentage lower than the previous year
What this means
This indicator shows claimant count as a percentage of the 16-24 population
Why this matters
The impact of unemployment on young people can be significant, and periods of unemployment at a young age can make it more likely that people will experience long-term unemployment later in life. The council’s Aspire programme provides flexible keywork support to unemployed young people.
Our performance and how we compare
| Comparator | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Are we improving? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLC | 3.50% | 3.50% | 3.30% | Yes |
| Scotland | Not available | 3.50% | 3.40% | Yes |
How we have performed in improving this public service
The figure for 2024/25 has improved in comparison with 2023/24 and is lower (better) than the Scottish average.
- South Lanarkshire Works
- Routes To Work South Lanarkshire
- See Employability performance update within Community and Enterprise Committee Reports, dated 7 October 2025
Resource Plans are prepared each year by all council Resources to outline the key developments they intend to take forward in the year. Performance and actions relating to the waste management service can be found in the Community and Enterprise Resource Plan.
Twice a year, performance reports are presented to Resource committees on progress against the Resource Plans. In addition, reports detailing progress against the Council Plan Connect Outcomes are prepared - see Quarter 2 and Quarter 4 performance reports for further information.
More information on our outcomes can be found in the Council Plan Connect and the Annual Performance Spotlights.
Local Government Benchmarking Framework (LGBF) allows councils to work together, to use performance information in a way that will help understand variations, share knowledge, expertise and good practice, with a view to making improvements. For more information and links relating to this framework, go to the 'Benchmarking' paragraph on the Improvement and how we compare page on our website.
The information contained within this report reflects the position based on the data available at the time of publication (March 2026).
- Public performance reports
- Assets
- Benefits and funding administration
- Children and families social work
- Community care
- Justice social work
- Economic development
- Education of children
- Environmental health and trading standards
- Housing and homelessness
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- Roads, transportation and fleet
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- Sustainable Development and Climate Change
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- Assessment and review
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- Employability