DYW Summer Programme LAUNCHED!

As announced by Nicola Sturgeon this week, Developing the Young Workforce have created a national programme for this year's school leavers in Scotland. The programme is a series of virtual and online experiences which aim to build work related knowledge and skills to enhance young people’s industry readiness and capacity to compete in the labour market. 
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DYW Skills Academy: Get Industry Ready will be delivered throughout July and August with activities and employability experiences supported by industry that have been designed to combat youth unemployment.

Young people can register to take part in the free academy until 12 July. Elements of the course will be open to all school leavers, while some will be targeted directly at those looking to progress into employment and those applying for apprenticeships.

The first week will provide industry insights sessions allowing young people to find out about the key sectors emerging from Covid-19 and the career opportunities available within each. They will find out more about the skills and qualifications needed within industries such as food and drink, health and social care, digital/technology and financial services.

Week two onwards will then cover skills they need to start their pathway into such sectors before courses are given on subjects such as cyber security, customer service, GDPR, health and safety, life at work and resilience in the workplace. Young people will also be given CV feedback from industry professionals and will be given the opportunity to take part in mock interview sessions.
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CAN YOUR BUSINESS SUPPORT IN FORTH VALLEY?

Would you and your colleagues welcome the opportunity to lead a virtual mock interview or CV check for a young person, helping them make a more successful transition to the world of work?  
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​You can offer to support one or both experiences, taking place between 10th – 14th August.  Mock interviews will take approximately 25 minutes and CV checks approximately 30 minutes.  We have created a guide and templates to support you and will facilitate the process too.  
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Pledge your support

Gary Wilson, Chair of DYW Forth Valley Regional Group said: "I am delighted that Nicola Sturgeon has announced this important and further support from the Developing the Young Workforce network. The virtual skills academy for young people across Scotland will help to prepare and support them into employment and apprenticeships throughout the pandemic. Driven locally by the Forth Valley DYW team, these specific initiatives will support young people and their parents to chart a positive course during the summer and allow the DYW team to further support all school leavers. I encourage businesses who can support during week 5 of the programme to contact DYW Forth Valley and pledge their support."

Alongside the Skills Academy, a series of Scotland’s Biggest Parents Events will be delivered over four broadcasts with input from a range of experts covering topics such as exams, mental health, apprenticeships, skills development and pathways into industry. The events aim to provide a message of reassurance and optimism to parents and carers at this challenging time. They will also provide information about options and next steps including where parents and young people can go to make informed judgements about their future.

To register for DYW Skills Academy: Get Industry Ready please click the icon below.

To register for Scotland’s Biggest Parents Evening Sessions please click the icon below.

Rob Woodward, DYW National Group Chair, said: “I am delighted that today the DYW Regional Group network has set out its package of work that will support school leavers this summer. Driven by industry, these specific initiatives will support young people and their parents to chart a positive course during the summer and DYW will continue to support all of Scotland’s young people.”

An online portal E-DYW has also been created, it is a One-Stop-Shop for young people, educators, employers, parents/carers. It will include multiple resources from private and public sector bodies to provide support to young people leaving school.

Click the image opposite to find out more.

​Whether you are an employer, parent/carer, educator or young person we need you to get involved to make this programme a success. Please:

1. Share this blog post to all of your networks and colleagues.
2. Encourage young people and parents/carers to register for the programme and events using the links above.
3. Pledge to support the programme by signing up to support with interviews and CV checks in Week 5 by emailing us on getinvolved@dyw.forthvalley.ac.uk