CEIS Ayrshire and Mills Milk: Partnership Working

Working closely with local businesses plays a vital role in supporting people into meaningful employment. We see first-hand how strong partnerships can help tackle unemployment across North Ayrshire, and our recent work with Mills Milk in Dalry is a great example of this. These partnerships help create opportunities that benefit individuals, employers, and the wider community.

Through North Ayrshire Council’s Personal Recruitment Incentive (PRI), employers are supported with funding to create new job opportunities. These roles give our clients access to paid employment, while also helping businesses grow their workforce with the right support in place.

Creating Opportunities

Mills Milk applied for PRI funding, enabling them to create two new job opportunities within their business. This was a collaborative process from the start. We had open communication and a shared aim of finding the right candidates for the roles.

Martine Brown, our Business Services Team Lead, worked closely with Mills Milk. From the initial engagement and recruitment through to onboarding and ongoing support. By taking the time to understand the needs of the business, Martine was able to support Mills Milk in identifying suitable candidates and ensuring the recruitment process ran smoothly.

Our Business Services team works with employers across North Ayrshire, building relationships that allow us to respond to business needs while creating real opportunities for our clients. This partnership approach ensures employers feel supported from the point of recruitment, and as new employees settle and develop in their roles.

Feedback and Progress

Mills Milk provided valuable feedback on their experience, highlighting both the support received and the progress made by the employees since joining the team. Clear development was recognised over time, with noticeable improvements in confidence and problem-solving skills.

One employee has grown significantly in confidence, now handling customer interactions independently where she previously relied on colleagues. Another has developed the ability to resolve more customer queries on her own, allowing payments to be allocated more efficiently without delays.

This growth shows the value of giving people the opportunity to learn on the job, supported by both their employer and employability partners.

Employer Testimonial

We felt fully supported throughout the recruitment and onboarding process. We’ve seen real growth in both employees’ confidence and ability to handle customer queries independently. It’s been rewarding to see them develop, and we would be very likely to recommend the service to other employers.

Working Together for Better Outcomes

We are proud to work alongside businesses like Mills Milk to create employment opportunities. By working in partnership, employers and employability services can support individuals into sustainable work, benefiting local employers and contributing to a stronger local economy across North Ayrshire.

Get in Touch

Help make a difference in your business and your community. Connect with CEIS Ayrshire to find out how we can create opportunities together.