Be Inspired

12/12/2018

On Thursday 22 November more than 120 attendees from across Forth Valley joined us for our first ever conference. The ‘Be Inspired’ Conference brought businesses, local authorities, 3rd sector organisations and educators together to inspire innovative partnerships to better prepare young people for the world of work.

All delegates heard about DYW’s success stories, future plans and took part in a series of interactive ‘Focus On’ sessions specifically designed to energise attendees to consider the challenges and opportunities associated with developing Forth Valley’s young workforce to their full potential.

These sessions were delivered by DYW Forth Valley partners Robertson Group, Drummond Laurie, Forth Valley College and Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils, designed to explore challenges and opportunities associated with developing the young workforce.

The Conference brought together businesses, local authorities, 3rd sector organisations and educators to inspire innovative partnerships to better prepare young people for the world of work. Local businesses were also encouraged to consider how they could offer exciting, educational and effective employment opportunities.

Jen Henderson, DYW Programme Manager, said:

“It’s wonderful to see local business leaders from so many industries, and the third sector, meet up with representatives from local schools plus further education and training providers, to create new partnerships and platforms from which to help further develop the young workforce across Forth Valley. Our inaugural conference has been such a success that we’re already working on ideas for next year!”

The conference saw an opening speech from Graeme McEwan, Chief Communications Officer, Global Communications Standard Life Aberdeen plc which highlighted the national priorities and successes of the DYW Regional Group network.

The event was closed by Forth Valley College Principal Dr Ken Thomson who discussed the benefits of education and business collaboration and the positive impact this has on young people.

innovation fund

The DYW Forth Valley Innovation Fund is now available to support schools and employers to develop innovative practice that facilitates and enables direct employer engagement that will benefit young people in the Forth Valley Region (Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling) between February 2019 and June 2020.

The DYW Innovation Fund has the capacity to make a real difference in developing our young workforce as well as encouraging creativity and enabling learning communities to develop approaches which best meet the needs of and improves outcomes for their young people.

Please download the following application form and guidance notes, using the link below, to make an application for funding on behalf of your school. The deadline for submissions is 5pm on the 1st February 2019.

Please e-mail completed applications to getinvolved@dyw.forthvalley.ac.uk

Innovation Fund Resources

DYW Forth Valley Chair, Margaret Mary Rafferty, said:

“We hope delegates will take away at least one key message from the ‘Focus On’ sessions and use it to inspire and prepare young people for the world of work. Judging by the number of pledge cards that have been filled in, we can see that those who attended have been galvanised and intend to commit to making a difference to our young people. The launch of our DYW Innovation Fund will help to support putting some of the pledges and innovative ideas into practice for Forth Valley’s young people.”

A final thank you to everyone who supported the DYW Forth Valley 'Be Inspired' Conference. You are inspiring the future generation. If you would like to get involved in DYW activity please email us at getinvolved@dyw.forthvalley.ac.uk or call 01259 726690.