DYW Shetland have worked with Shetland Islands Council Climate Change Strategy Team and local company Art Machine Ltd to offer a great opportunity to secondary pupils in Shetland to design a logo and then have the opportunity to engage with Art Machine Ltd to produce it for use.

 The Shetland Climate Conversation aims to engage with the community to find out what people think about Climate Change, understand their concerns, encourage partnerships, spark creative solutions, and work towards reducing and reversing our impact on the environment.  Shetland Climate Conversation are looking for a logo! It will appear on materials such as printed leaflets and posters and digitally on surveys, reports and web content.  The winning entry will get the opportunity to develop their logo design and gain work experience with local graphic designers Art Machine.

Logo design guidelines:
• Be positive – If we act now together we can make a difference!
• Recognise Climate Change as global
• Be simple and easily recognisable
• Include the words ‘Shetland Climate Conversation’
• Use a clean/clear font so the logo can be read or identified as a small thumbnail image
• Although not essential it would be helpful to design a logo which can be used in colour but also as effective as monochrome (single colour or black/white)

Competition rules and guidance:
• Open to all secondary pupils across Shetland
• Pupils can work on their own or in teams
• Entries can be in any media (hand drawn/painted or computer design)
• Competition will run from Wednesday 27 October to Wednesday 10 November
• All physical entries must be with us by the closing date
• The winner will be announced on Friday 12 November (the last day of COP26)
• Physical entries should be posted to: Climate Change Team, Infrastructure Services, Gremista, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0PX
• Digital entries should be emailed to: climatechange@shetland.gov.uk

If you have any questions or queries, please contact: climatechange@shetland.gov.uk  

​With one day to go we wish all of the participants the best of luck with their designs!

The Young Person’s Guarantee aims to ensure that within two years every 16-24 year old in Scotland has access to a job or learning opportunity.
 
The impact of the pandemic on employers and young people alongside a challenging labour market means that there’s never been a more important time to consider young talent within the workforce.
 
Employers from all industries and of all sizes are already coming forward to support the Guarantee, however we need more.
 
Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland are working in partnership to support and celebrate the contribution being made by the public sector and healthcare in support of young people in Scotland.
 
This online conference will help employers in the Public Sector and Healthcare find out why the Young Person’s Guarantee makes it easier for young people and employers to connect, and how to get involved.
 
The conference includes:

• - an overview of the Young Person’s Guarantee, the 5 asks of employers and how to sign up
• - employer discussion on how they’ve got involved with the Guarantee and the work they’re doing to bring young people      into the sector
• - panel discussion with young people from the industry, and Jamie Hepburn the Minister for Higher Education and                 Further Education, Youth Employment and Training

 
The event will be hosted by Sandy Begbie, CEO Scottish Financial Enterprise and Chair of the Young Person’s Guarantee.
 
 
The conference takes place online on Wednesday 17 November, 12-2pm. To find out more click on the link below
More details and sign up.

📣An exciting opportunity has arisen for a School Coordinator to join our existing Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Shetland team.📣
 
⭐Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) School Coordinator’s support senior management in their allocated school to embed the Developing the Young Workforce Strategy and other employer offers within the curriculum.
⭐You will create and implement a structure for employer engagement which reflects the school’s demographic and maintain a robust network of partners within the local business community.
⭐In doing so you will support school management in fulfilling national priorities around employability, Career Education Standard and Work Placement Standard.
⭐By paying close attention to local and national employment data and fostering good relationships you will identify opportunities for collaborative working focussed on better outcomes for young people.
⭐The focus of the role is to develop and implement a programme of employer engagement aimed at enhancing the curriculum and increasing pupils’ career awareness and skills development.
⭐Work alongside SDS Careers Advisor, MCR Coordinators and others patners
⭐Temporary contract until 31 March 2022, extension of this post is subject to funding
⭐Happy to talk flexible working
⭐Closing date 20th October 2021

To find out more about DYW Nationally 🔗https://www.dyw.scot/


To find out more about the role and apply please go to
🔗https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/shetland-islands-council/jobs/developing-young-workforce-school-co-ordinator-islesburgh-community-centre-239107
 
You can also contact Nina, DYW Manager, to arrange for an informal chat on
📧nina.hogmo2@shetland.gov.uk
 
#DYWScot #DYWShetland #DYWSchoolCoordinator
​

​The Young Person’s Guarantee aims to ensure that within two years every 16-24 year old in Scotland has access to a job or learning opportunity.
 
The impact of the pandemic on employers and young people alongside a challenging labour market means that there’s never been a more important time to consider young talent within the workforce.
 
Employers from all industries and of all sizes are already coming forward to support the Guarantee, however we need more.
 
This webinar will help employers in Tourism and Hospitality find out why it makes it easier for young people and employers to connect, and how to get involved.
 
Hosted by The Torridon and delivered by the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland the webinar includes:
 

• an overview of the Young Person’s Guarantee, the 5 asks of employers and how to sign up
• examples from employers on how they’ve got involved
• sectoral information from SDS including apprenticeships and business support

 
The event will be hosted and introduced by Rohaise Rose-Bristow, People Director at The Torridon. We will  be joined by Springboard who support unemployed people to improve their job prospects – futureproofing the hospitality and tourism talent pipeline. Finally we will hear from Julie Mackenzie, Organisational Development Partner at Gleneagles who will discuss the work they do to bring young people into the sector.
 
The webinar takes place Friday 22 October, 10-11am.
More details and sign up.

During the coming months DYW Scotland and Skills Development Scotland will be delivering a Series of Webinars aimed at different Sectors across Scotland hosted by Employers in that Sector. 
​
Watch this space and our Social Media pages as we announce them

The Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Fiona Hyslop MSP, has announced further details on how the Youth Guarantee will give young people the chance to succeed despite the economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).  Today’s announcement has confirmed additional investment for Developing the Young Workforce Regional Groups to support the delivery of the Youth Guarantee including strengthening our offer in the senior phase and ensuring those furthest from the labour market can access the appropriate support.
 
The Scottish Government’s £60 million support for the guarantee, will ensure every young person has the opportunity of work, education or training, with £10 million additional funding for DYW.
 
An implementation plan written by Sandy Begbie has been published today. The report’s recommendations include:

• a simplification of the employability landscape so that greater impact can be achieved. This work to be co-designed with young people
• a better alignment of education provision with the needs of employers
• work to introduce an incentive model where government pays 50% of wages for young people who need the most help
• early work to identify opportunities with employers in some least-impacted sectors, including financial services, utilities and life sciences
• a call for the public sector to create more opportunities for young people
• businesses who would not normally have taken an apprentice full-time come to consider sharing an apprentice with other employers.

 
Rob Woodward, Chair of the Employers’ Forum said: “Today’s announcement gives strong endorsement for the future of DYW and highlights that Scottish Ministers are listening to employers and recognise the valuable insights from across the DYW network. As a network we will respond to this challenge to ensure that young people have the best possible support and preparation for entering the labour market”.
 
“We will work closely with our partners including local authorities, employers and SDS to ensure that this additional investment has the maximum impact. I encourage all employers to support our young people at this difficult time by supporting their local DYW Regional Group”
 
The report can be found here - https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781800040373

Thousands of young people can access dedicated support when Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) Results Helpline opens on Tuesday 4 August. 

The free* helpline from Scotland’s career service offers advice, information and guidance for young people and their parents from 8am on results day. 

Around 138,000 candidates across the country will receive their results. 

James Russell, SDS Director of Career Information, Advice & Guidance Operations, said: “If your results aren’t what you expected, don’t panic, you have lots of options. 

“This is an unprecedented year with the cancellation of exams and we understand that may cause more worry than normal. Our advisers are here to help you and your parents and carers with information on all the options and opportunities on offer.” 

The dedicated Results Helpline will open Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 Aug, 8am to 8pm, Thursday 6, Friday 7, Monday 10, Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 Aug, 9am to 5pm 

The number to call is 0808 100 8000. 

SDS advisers are at the end of the phone to help young people and their parents and carers. The skilled professionals have access to information on course vacancies at UK colleges and universities, Confirmation and Clearing, advice about Modern, Foundation and Graduate Apprenticeships and jobs, volunteering or staying on at school. 

To get in touch with the helpline via social media go to My World of Work on Facebook at Facebook.com/myworldofwork
Parents and carers can also head over to mykidscareer.com for information on jobs in demand in Scotland and tips on handling career conversations at results time. mykidscareer.com
​
*operator charges may apply ​

SUPPORT A YOUNG PERSON AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY BY RECRUITING AN APPRENTICE AND OVERSEEING THEIR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT.

Young people are the lifeblood of the economy. By investing in the next generation, we’re investing in a better future for everyone. 
​
Sadly, this year, the coronavirus pandemic has caused a great deal of uncertainty for many young people. A recent report from the Office of National Statistics found that young people in Britain aged 16-29 were worried about the effect coronavirus was having on their lives. Their main concerns were the effects on schools or universities (24%), their wellbeing (22%), work (16%) and household finances (16%).
​
One way businesses can support young people in Shetland this year and beyond is through Modern Apprenticeships. It’s a fantastic way to recruit and retain a skilled workforce, keeping jobs within the local community.

Modern Apprenticeships are for people aged 16 and over, giving individuals the chance to earn a wage while studying towards an industry-relevant qualification. As an employer, you pay the wages and Skills Development Scotland contribute towards the cost of the training. This training can be tailored to suit the needs of your specific business, so it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved. It’s also a great way to inject some fresh ideas into your business through an enthusiastic and committed new recruit. A recent survey from Skills Development Scotland found that nine out of 10 employers would recommend taking on a Modern Apprentice.

Train Shetland - Vocational Training manages Modern Apprentices across a wide range of companies throughout Shetland. This includes posts in social care, childcare, business administration, construction and engineering. 

“Taking on an apprentice is a great way to ‘grow your own’ – you can nurture and build your own workforce to suit your business needs,” explains Kevin Briggs, Joint Manager at Train Shetland. 

"The Train Shetland team practise what they preach too, recruiting their own Modern Apprentices in business administration. Each recruit does a two-year apprenticeship where they build the skills to apply for a full-time role. “This puts the apprentice in a strong position, because they have the right training. Most of them get snapped up straightaway,” continues Kevin.

Indeed, Modern Apprentices have played a vital role in developing skilled workers in Shetland’s social care sector. In the past few years, the SIC’s social care team has recruited 24 Modern Apprentices, with another nine currently being shortlisted. Robbie Simpson, Team Lead at Newcraigielea, a facility that provides respite, short breaks and day care services to adults with learning disabilities, helps to coordinate the apprentices in this sector. He says: “The benefit of recruiting Modern Apprentices is that it allows us to develop and expand our registerable workforce. We provide vocational training to recruits and the chance for them to gain their SVQ Level 2 in Care – a qualification they require to work in this sector. Modern Apprentices give a huge boost to an organisation. They’re highly motivated people, who are keen to learn and contribute to the successful running of your business. I have nothing but positive things to say about them.”

If you don’t have any vacancies available for a Modern Apprentice, why not consider a Foundation Apprentice? This is where an S5 or S6 pupil comes into your business on work experience, learns new skills and receives a qualification equivalent to a Higher grade. There’s also the option to recruit a Graduate Apprentice. This is similar to a Modern Apprentice but the young person is training towards a degree, up to Masters level. It’s a fast-track route to provide your business with the graduate skills it needs.

If you’re interested in taking on an apprentice, Developing the Young Workforce Shetland would love to hear from you. You can fill in our enquiry form or drop us a line on 01595 771228.

A programme of activities to support young people who have left school this summer has been launched and local people are invited to take part.
 
The Summer Leavers Programme has been created by Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), the Scottish Government’s Youth Employment Strategy.  DYW is made up of 21 employer-led regional groups, of which DYW Shetland is one.

The Summer Leavers Programme has been developed to support young people, parents and carers and the programme will be delivered virtually through Scotland’s Biggest Parents’ Events and the DYW Skills Academy.

The Scotland’s Biggest Parents’ Events will provide information and updates on topics to support young people with the transition from school while the DYW Skills Academy is a series of activities and virtual experiences with industry to support young people build capacity to enter the labour market.
​
There will be four Scotland’s Biggest Parents’ Events throughout the summer which will allow parents and carers to hear about options and next steps for young people, including the things that matter to them right now.  The events are:
 

• School Leavers 2020 - Tuesday 7 July at 7pm
• Vocational Training – Tuesday 21 July at 7pm
• #NoWrongPath to Industry – Tuesday 4 August at 7pm
• Pathways to Priority Industries – Tuesday 15 September at 7pm

The first event takes place on the Young Scot YouTube and Facebook channels and will focus on information for school leavers, including information about the exam assessment process, skills development and mental health and wellbeing support.
 
Anyone interested in attending this event will have to register by Tuesday 7 July by visiting www.dyw.scot/sbpe
  
The DYW Skills Academy: Get Industry Ready will run through July and August and will include a series of virtual activities and employability experiences for young people.  Some of these activities are open to all young people, while others are targeted to those who are looking to apply for a job or apprenticeship.  This is a five-week programme and will include the following sessions:

• Week 1 – Industry Insight Session (open to all)
• Week 2 – Skills Sessions (open to all)
• Week 3 – E-Learning (open to young people progressing into employment)
• Week 4 – #NoWrongPath (open to all)
• Week 5 – Applying for Jobs (open to young people currently applying for jobs/apprenticeships)

 
For more information about each week’s activities and to register to join the DYW Skills Academy, visit www.dyw.scot/skills-academy.  Registration closes on Sunday 12 July.
 
For more information on the Summer Leavers Programme visit www.dyw.scot, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @DYW Shetland for updates.