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.