#supportDG

A message from Gillian Brydson, Director Skills, Education and Learning.

Updated 5 January 2022.

Updated 23 December 2021.

A testing programme is being put in place for people without the symptoms of coronavirus as part of the package of coronavirus risk reduction mitigations in education settings.

Dumfries and Galloway Council is administering various business grant schemes on behalf of the Scottish Government.

A variety of temporary measures have been introduced at various levels to support businesses through this period of disruption.

Did you know that businesses can use our free testing sites for their staff who have no symptoms but want to get tested?

The Minister for Public Finance and Migration has written to all ratepayers in November 2020 regarding reforms to the non-domestic rating system.

On 23 June the Deputy First Minister announced the Scottish Government's intention to launch a £10m grant fund later in the year to support private and social rented tenants who have incurred rent arrears as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

If you are aged 16-24 and not in education, employment or training there is lots of local support in Dumfries and Galloway, tailored to your needs, that can help you get advice and build the skills and confidence you need to move on to formal volunteering, training a job or course to gain qualifications.

Covid-19 is a difficult time for everyone and during this period the Council and third sector organisations are keen to ensure that people requesting emergency food parcels get the support they need.

Self-isolation can be difficult but it is a powerful tool for controlling the transmission of COVID-19. Help and support is available to you while you are self isolating.

Dumfries & Galloway's local employment partnership website regularly updates local skills and employment news, information, and job opportunities during the Covid 19 crisis.

Across Dumfries and Galloway, public, private and third sector partners work in partnership to offer training, upskilling and support with CV's, job applications and interview preparation.

The Dumfries and Galloway Youth Guarantee aims to ensure that every young person in Dumfries and Galloway is offered training, education, a job or apprenticeship opportunity.

Support is available for parents and carers to help address challenges including health, money worries, motivation or childcare that may be making it difficult for you to get in to work or improve your circumstances and options if you are in work.