Engaging with EMPLOYERS
DEVELOPING THE YOUNG WORKFORCE
“This is not just about
education and training
nor is it just about getting
youth unemployment
levels back to 2008 levels.
It is about Scotland’s long
term economic success
and wellbeing...”
Sir Ian Wood
Chair of the Commission
for Developing Scotland’s
Young Workforce
A key goal of the Scottish
Government’s youth
employment strategy was
the establishment of regional
industry-led Developing the
Young Workforce (DYW) groups
across Scotland to:
• encourage and support more
employers to engage directly
with education, and
• encourage more employers
to recruit more young people
and promote diversity in the
workplace.
The government wants DYW
regional groups and local
authorities to work together
to support the development of
effective long-term partnerships
between schools and employers,
building on existing structures
and expertise, and working with
key partners like colleges and
Skills Development Scotland.
local employers to find out how
to help them become more
involved with schools and the
College to develop Ayrshire’s
future workforce.
The DYWA group held its first
focus group to engage with
small and micro businesses in
June. Nineteen local companies
took part in discussions on
employer engagement, work
experience and Modern
Apprenticeships.
The event provided the DYWA
team with valuable feedback
and ideas for developing new
approaches to help small
employers engage with young
people.
For more information on the
Ayrshire group visit the website,
follow DYWA on Twitter and
LinkedIn, and check out
the blog.
The Developing the Young
Workforce Ayrshire (DYWA)
regional group is one of a
number of groups funded by
the Scottish Government. A
dedicated team is based at the
Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce
and they are keen to meet
The magazine of Ayrshire College
27