Developing a sustainable young workforce for Argyll and Bute

ARE you an employer who could give an hour, a half-day or more to inspire and develop employability skills in our young workforce?

Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Argyll and Bute is an employer led initiative preparing young people for their futures, while helping build a sustainable workforce. The six person team, headed by Regional Lead Scott McKinnon, connects local employers with schools to help young people develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the world of work.

The DYW programme has been a recognised part of Scotland’s curriculum since 2014, but with the recent addition in 2021 of four School Coordinators in the council, more area students and employers than ever are able to take advantage of DYW’s initiatives. ‘Each coordinator covers two to three schools,’ said Scott, who is based in Dunoon. ‘Having them in the schools on a regular basis has made it easier for us to support even more young people.’

DYW works with keen students, as well as those who might be struggling in the classroom, or have different interests.

‘Students going off to do law or medicine at university can definitely benefit from employer interaction and work experience to boost their application,’ Scott explained. ‘But for some people, school is not the environment for them and they need extra support. Maybe they are not engaging with school or not showing up to classes. They just need to get out there and do something hands on.’

Scott and his team organise career fairs, help with work experience and plan school visits to employer’s sites. It just depends on what each young person is looking for. It’s a very tailored approach, opening up a world of career opportunities.

Any student can access DYW services by talking to the guidance staff at their school. Then the area coordinator will work with the school and potential employers to match the young person’s interests and the needs of the business. They can help to create a bespoke timetable that may allow the student to divide their time between school and work.

For Scott, who, himself benefitted from career support when he was at school in Dunoon, watching young people take their first steps into a successful future feels like giving back. But it’s just as satisfying to see how much local employers get out of the programme, as well.

‘It’s great to see our young people getting on, but we love

to see how much the employers get out of it. Some of them might be quite sceptical at first when we talk to them, but when they end up getting a student that really enjoys the job and does really well, the business also learns something- that by investing in young people it can also benefit them.’

An employer led DYW board is comprised of representation from the private, public and third sectors, and incorporates employers from a broad range

of industries. The board work with DYW staff to determine their strategic direction and support the delivery of their work. DYW works with organisations such as MacLeod Construction, Argyll & Bute Council, Bakkafrost, NFU Scotland, Fire Scotland and UHI among others.

DYW will hold a conference on 19th of May, when they will get all their partners around the table to discuss the future of a sustainable workforce.