TODAY'S working environment is ever changing. Employers are making

increasing demands on their employees in terms of flexibility.

Individuals no longer expect a steady predictable career path with the

guarantee of a job for life. Skill Choice, the national Assessment and

guidance credit Initiative is the latest concept to arrive in an

increasingly competitive employment marketplace and can assist both

individuals and employers face up to change and take advantage of the

experience they have and plan for the future.

While in England and Wales, 13 Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs)

are involved in Skill Choice, only one Scottish pilot exists -- a

collaborative project being three Local Enterprise Companies (LECs):

Renfrewshire Enterprise, Enterprise Ayrshire, and Dumfries and Galloway

Enterprise.

How does it work? Skill Choice has two main elements: guidance and

assessment planning. Through the three LECs, funding is available for

the process of reviewing skills, achievements and potential. This forms

the basis of an action plan for future career development.

For the individual, this can mean a review of career options. For the

employer, the service involves considering existing skills within the

workforce, identifying training needs and discovering potential for

development to meet the business needs.

Assessment planning involves reviewing existing skills in relation to

vocational qualifications. Many people have abilities, which are not

recognised through formal qualifications. Gaining credit for existing

skills can assist in achieving that recognition.

''Skill Choice represents a significant change in focus in people

development,'' said Helen McCrum, manager of ReDirect, a subsidiary of

Renfrewshire Enterprise providing adult career guidance services. ''It

emphasises the need for companies and individuals to plan and manage

career development. Making use of existing expertise is important, if

organisations and individuals are to realise their full potential.''

Isobel Brown of ATLAS (Ayrshire Training and Learning Advisory

Service) explained: ''Skill Choice services will be of interest to

adults, mostly those in employment, who are changing careers, aiming for

promotion, perhaps even facing redundancy, or those who are returning to

work after a break.''

For employers, there is recognition of the need to achieve a skilled

and motivated workforce, not only flexible and willing to adapt to

changing needs, but given the opportunity to improve qualifications and

abilities. Making fuller use of existing expertise and experience is

also an important component. ''Employers who are keen to invest in their

people, to introduce vocational qualifications or indeed to offer

redundancy counselling services will benefit from the support available

through this initiative,'' said Rosalyn Allen, Dumfries and Galloway

Enterprise. ''In particular, we can offer assistance to the small and

medium-sized company which may not have the expertise for staff

development planning.''

There are three main contact points for information on Skill Choice:

in Renfrewshire, ReDirect; ATLAS in Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway

Enterprise.

''The development of a network of guidance and assessment providers is

a key feature of Skill Choice,'' said Helen McCrum. ''We ensure that we

have a range of expertise available to meet demand. At ReDirect, we work

with the client to produce a development plan which recognises skills

and experience and assists in deciding on action to meet future needs.

As in Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway we also refer to other

providers dealing with specific skill areas.''

A voucher system is in operation for the individual accessing guidance

and assessment services. ''We feel that we should encourage clients to

value career planning and assessment,'' said Isobel Brown. ''For

individuals, the costs will vary depending on the type of service

chosen, but typically they will contribute around #30 for career

planning and #25 for assessment planning services.''

For organisations using Skill Choice for their employees, staff from

ReDirect, ATLAS, and Dumfries and Galloway Enterprise are available to

discuss company needs, recommend suppliers and assist in arranging

contracts for delivery.

''Flexibility is important in delivering the Skill Chance service in

companies,'' said Helen McCrum. ''If an employer feels that he or she

has the expertise to deliver guidance and assessment in-house, then we

will still be able to discuss financial support.''

How has Skill Choice been working so far? ''The timing of this

initiative is right in terms of changes taking place in working life,''

said Helen McCrum. ''Employers are recognising the need to find

innovative ways of developing staff, particularly since fewer layers of

management mean fewer prospects for movement upwards within companies.''

To take advantage of Skill Choice for yourself or your business,

contact: Renfrewshire, Ms Helen McCrum, ReDirect, 041 848 9699;

Ayrshire, Ms Isobel Brown, ATLAS, 0563 72194; Dumfries and Galloway

Enterprise, 0387 54444.