Upcoming training and information sessions

Whether you want to upskill in 2026, widen your knowledge or keep up to date with the latest staff training on the horizon, our roundup has everything you need to know to take control of your development in the workplace and beyond...

Get-Reconnected at Eglinton Country Park and Community Gardens

Volunteering provides the perfect opportunity to meet-up and re-connect outdoors. So why not take advantage of the council's Volunteering Policy and find an opportunity for your team?

Whether you're welcoming new colleagues to the team, miss your colleagues who work from home on different days or simply want the chance to give back to our community and spend valuable time together outdoors, the upcoming Get Re-Connected volunteering sessions at Eglinton Community Gardens and Eglinton Country Park are the perfect remedy!

Gardening activities with Ranger Linda

There is always work to be done at Eglinton Community Gardens, from erecting polytunnels, to preparing ground for growing, constructing raised beds, to planting out. It all depends on what our volunteers are needing help with but, there's never any shortage of healthy activities to get stuck into!

Available dates are as follows (each session takes place from 9.30am until 12.30pm)

• Wednesday 22 April meet at Eglinton Community Gardens
• Wednesday 27 May meet at Eglinton Community Gardens
• Wednesday 3 June meet at Eglinton Community Gardens
• Wednesday 24 June meet at Eglinton Community Gardens

Email Ranger Linda Tedford to book your team in for one of these fantastic gardening Get Re-Connected days.

Tackling invasive species with Ranger Graeme

Balsalm bashing sessions - volunteers wanted! Spend the session down by the river, removing the invasive plant Himalayan Balsam. Old clothes, waterproof trousers and sturdy waterproof footwear recommended as it can get wet and muddy depending on weather.

Available dates and times are as follows:

• Thursday 23 April (9.30am until 12.30pm) meet at Ranger Office
• Thursday 14 May (9.30am until 12.30pm) meet at Ranger Office - fully booked!
• Thursday 21 May (9.30am until 12.30pm) meet at Ranger Office
• Thursday 4 June 9.30am until 12.30pm) meet at Ranger Office - fully booked!
• Tuesday 9 June (9am until 12pm) meet at Ranger Office - fully booked!
• Tuesday 9 June (1pm until 4pm) meet at Ranger Office - fully booked!

Email Ranger Graeme Walla to book your team in for one of these action-packed tackling invasive species Get Re-Connected days.

Corporate Training calendar

Corporate training courses can be booked directly online via the Learning and Development training course booking system. Before booking a course, please discuss with your line manager. If you have any issues accessing the system or need some extra help, email the Learning and Organisational Development team.

Visit Connects for further e-learning resources, Our Time to Talk tips and information on the Leadership Academy.

Upcoming training sessions

Managers invited to book onto ‘How to special leave’ session

Save the date! Mangers can book now for the upcoming Microsoft Teams session on on Wednesday 29 April at 11am via Teams. This ‘How To’ session will help managers recognise when Special Leave may apply, and will provide an overview of the Council’s Special Leave Scheme and the types of leave available, how to assess requests and common scenarios and considerations. Book now via the special leave mangers training news article.

Learning disability awareness training (October)

Places are available for staff on the following dates for Learning Disability Awareness training. Please consult with your line manager before booking your place online. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

This course is aimed at staff from outwith the Learning Disability service who may have contact with service users with a learning disability. It will take place on Thursday 8 October at Cunninghame House (Lochshore & Seagate Room, 4th Floor Training Suite), 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

This course aims to:

• Raise awareness of Learning Disability
• Increase knowledge of health issues
• Identify challenges facing people with LD
• Highlight communication issues / barriers
• How to access services and supports

If no dates are showing on the booking system, this means the dates are full. If this is the case, we will contact you when further dates are available.

Adult Support and Protection training calendar

Free Adult Support and Protection (ASP) training is open to individuals and partner organisations, see the sessions coming between now and March 2027 in the ASP training calendar. To register a place, email ASP training. All staff working for North Ayrshire Council have a legal responsibility to report their concerns, if they know or believe an adult is at risk of harm. Would you know what to do, if you had concerns?

The team offer a wide range of courses some focusing on the legislation and how it works in practice, to ones which highlight how to spot specific harms like financial (or economic), sexual, self-neglect, hoarding and more. Level 1 is the usual level for all out with the Health & Social Care Partnership.

Trauma Skilled Level 2 training open for booking

Further dates are now available for Trauma Skilled Level 2 training. This is aimed at anyone who has direct and/or substantial contact with individuals who may be affected by traumatic events, whether or not the trauma is known about.

Level 2 Skilled training emphasizes the basic principles of understanding the impact of trauma and can be used as a starting point on furthering your knowledge about the impact of trauma, or as a refresher session for staff members who already have a knowledge base and would then be going on to complete Level 3 Trauma Enhanced training.

Sessions will be held on the following dates:

• Thursday 16 April: Cunninghame House (Lochshore & Seagate Room, 4th Floor Training Suite), 9.30am to 4.30pm
• Wednesday 29 April: Cunninghame House (Lochshore & Seagate Room, 4th Floor Training Suite), 9.30am to 4.30pm
• Friday 8 May: Cunninghame House (Lochshore & Seagate Room, 4th Floor Training Suite), 9.30am to 4.30pm
• Wednesday 27 May: Cunninghame House (Lochshore & Seagate Room, 4th Floor Training Suite), 9.30am to 4.30pm
• Wednesday 24 June: Cunninghame House (Lochshore & Seagate Room, 4th Floor Training Suite), 9.30am to 4.30pm
• Monday 6 July: Cunninghame House (Lochshore & Seagate Room, 4th Floor Training Suite), 9.30am to 4.30pm
• Wednesday 29 July: Cunninghame House (Lochshore & Seagate Room, 4th Floor Training Suite), 9.30am to 4.30pm

Please consult your line manager before booking your place online. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. If you require any further information, please email HSCPLearningDevelopment@north-ayrshire.gov.uk

Moving and handling information sessions for carers and families

Safety is paramount when caring for someone who requires the use of moving and handling equipment, so we’re offering families and carers the opportunity to attend a free Moving and Handling information session at Castleview Hub in Ardrossan on one of the following dates:

• Thursday 23 April (9.30am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4.30pm)
• Monday 18 May (9.30am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4.30pm)
• Wednesday 24 June (9.30am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4.30pm)

These will cover the use of profiling beds, hoists and slings, slide sheets, commode chairs and more. Staff within the facility are trained in line with the Scottish Manual Handling Passport.

Carers can book a place by calling 07385 399 746 and leaving a message with their name, the date they’d like to attend, and whether they want to attend the morning or afternoon session. Please note that there are ten places available for each session, which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Digital Learning Hub

Did you know that our IT team have created a one-stop-shop for digital learning resources and opportunities? With everything from learning about Microsoft 365 to problem-solving and finding peer support, IT have got you covered in their new IT Digital Learning Hub and you can access it straight from your desktop - just look for the blue information icon. Find out more in the Digital Learning Hub latest news article.

Suicide Prevention Ayrshire and Arran calendar (March 2026)

The March 2026 Suicide Prevention Training Calendar is now available to view online, where you’ll find more information on the dates of upcoming courses and how to book. The training can help you feel confident in spotting the signs and knowing how to support someone who’s struggling. Let’s make a difference together!

Internal vacancies

To find out about the latest internal (and external) job vacancies with North Ayrshire Council, visit the My Job Scotland website.

Care at Home recruitment events

Our North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership recruitment events provide information about the roles on offer, along with the employee benefits available. Upcoming events are as follows:

• Wednesday 15 April: Castleview Hub, 97 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan, KA22 8ER (4.30pm to 8.30pm)
• Wednesday 22 April: Castleview Hub, 97 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan, KA22 8ER (4.30pm to 8.30pm)
• Wednesday 29 April: Castleview Hub, 97 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan, KA22 8ER (4.30pm to 8.30pm)

These benefits include:

• the opportunity to work towards recognised qualifications
• excellent career progression prospects
• pension
• staff discount

We have permanent and temporary positions available throughout mainland North Ayrshire and Arran. No experience is necessary, as full training will be provided. Staff will be on hand at the events to help you in your application. If you can’t make it along to a recruitment event, you can submit an online application form.

You can also view the Care at Home Assistant Role Profile.

Published April 10, 2026