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The Community Improvement Squad Academy (CISA) is a practical training programme developed by Fife Council’s Employability Service and Training & Development Team. Delivered in partnership with Fife Council’s Grounds Maintenance Service, Raeburn Training, CLEAR, and Rural Skills Scotland, the initiative supports unemployed people to gain skills, experience, and confidence to move into sustainable employment, particularly in grounds maintenance and land-based roles.
CISA offers a structured pathway into work, beginning with two weeks of classroom-based training at the Skills Development Centre in Kirkcaldy. Participants receive site inductions, employability support, and accredited training such as CSCS preparation, health and safety, and land-based skills. They also work one-to-one with employability officers to develop personalised action plans, identify barriers, and prepare for job searching and interviews.
Those who complete the initial phase progress to up to six weeks of unpaid work experience in outdoor squad roles, carrying out tasks such as landscaping, path clearing, and fence work. This not only enhances their employability but also contributes to visible improvements in local communities.
In 2024/25, 24 participants completed the programme:
All participants were previously unemployed, and all remain engaged with the service. The programme is helping to address workforce shortages in grounds maintenance while supporting individuals to build confidence and skills. It also contributes to Fife’s wider ambitions for economic recovery, particularly in areas where employment growth is accelerating.
Looking ahead, the team is exploring funding options to continue and expand the programme. CISA demonstrates how targeted, collaborative interventions can support both individual progress and community wellbeing, building a stronger, more inclusive local economy.
