Get involved in Developing Fife’s Young Workforce!

New campaign to tackle youth unemployment during Fife Business Week

In the run up to Fife Business Week 2017, 6 -10 November, Fife's Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Board and Fife Council are launching an ambitious campaign that aims to give young people the possible best chance of a rewarding job in the future.

All businesses, leaders and managers are urged to get involved in the drive to inspire young people.

Fife’s Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Board, a business-led partnership that represents a wide range of employers - from small enterprises to multi-nationals, is launching the campaign to raise awareness about the range of programmes that businesses can access, to support the development of our future workforce.

The Developing the Young Workforce scheme aims to reduce youth unemployment by bringing together schools, colleges and employers to provide young people with work-based learning.

Bob Garmory, Chair, Fife’s Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Board and Business Leader, said: “We’re urging all Fife businesses to get involved in this campaign, as it is central to ensuring that our young people are career-ready and have essential work-related skills. Your future workforce is being educated in our local schools. It is everyone’s responsibility to support this campaign.

“A new brochure outlines the programmes that businesses can get involved in to grow Fife’s future talent. DYW Fife is keen to support your business, and is asking all employers to take part in at least one of the programmes featured.”

Link to brochure: www.fifedirect.org.uk/DYW

Reasons to get involved
•Inspire young people to work for your company, or sector
•Give young people work experience
•Develop employees through supporting young people
•Get a fresh perspective on business challenges
•Market your business to a future workforce and develop young talent
• Bring work-relevant learning to the classroom.

The DYW Fife Board is shaping plans to develop young people to meet current and future business needs. This involves implementing the national strategy locally to strengthen links between business and education.

Cllr Altany Craik, Convenor of Fife Council’s Economy, Tourism, Strategic Planning and Transportation Committee, said: “Supporting our young people into meaningful training and employment is a top priority for Fife Council.

“Along with partners we are working hard to ensure that a range of inspirational and meaningful work experience opportunities are available for all of our young people. Businesses can commit as little as an hour of their time, or make a more substantial long-term commitment, by, for example, taking on a Foundation Apprentice.

“Over 150 of Fife’s schools are involved in Developing the Young Workforce Fife and that is helping around 2,000 young people find work over the next year. I encourage businesses large and small to engage with this vital agenda for Fife’s schools pupils.”

DYW Fife is a Scottish Government funded project, supported by the Fife Economic Partnership (FEP), Fife Council’s Economic Development Team, Fife College and Opportunities Fife, created to invest in young people and create a highly employable future workforce.

For more information and to get involved in Developing the Young Workforce Fife visit : www.fifedirect.org.uk/DYW