Integrated employer engagement
The IEE Project enables the maximisation of social value from capital investment across the Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Region Deal, delivering greater benefits for communities while helping to create a more coordinated, employer-focused skills and employability system.
Employer and partnerships
This theme takes a proactive, regionally focused approach to skills development, aligned to local labour market demand. It promotes fair and inclusive job markets, supports high-demand sectors, and helps raise awareness of future opportunities across the region.
It also delivers an annual employer fund for micro-businesses, adapting to changing economic conditions and business needs, while ensuring that employability and skills support is accessible to all.
Recruitment and Skills Centre Network
This workstream focuses on expanding and enhancing the region’s network of Recruitment and Skills Centres (RSCs), providing a direct link between employers and delivery partners in key geographic and high-demand sectoral areas, while creating opportunities for people to develop the skills needed to access and progress in work.
Building on successful models such as Fort Kinnaird and FUSE, the network will strengthen employer relationships and improve service delivery, expand the physical and sectoral footprint of RSCs across the region, support employers to develop their own training academies or skills centres, and share and embed best practice across high-demand sectors.
Generating and aligning community benefits
This theme ensures that community benefits are maximised across the City Region Deal, driving additional social value through suppliers and businesses involved in delivery.
IEE leads the coordination of this activity, supported by a dedicated strategy and digital platform that connects organisations with opportunities. Through the ESES Communities portal, local groups and good causes can request support, while businesses are supported to make meaningful contributions to local people and places.
This approach helps embed community benefit delivery across the Deal, strengthens collaboration between partners and suppliers, and supports the wider community wealth building agenda, ensuring that investment delivers lasting impact for communities across the region.
Community Wealth Building
Community Wealth Building (CWB) is an approach that prioritises wellbeing, placing people and planet at the centre of economic activity.
Within IEE, CWB acts as a cross-cutting theme, shaping regional approaches to community benefits and fair work, and embedding this ethos across the Deal and the six local authorities.
Supported by a toolkit, microsite and regional framework, this work ensures that investment delivers lasting value for communities across the region.
