A Look Back At 2020

#NoWrongPath
The annual #NoWrongPath campaign grows from strength to strength every year. We were delighted to collaborate with big names such as NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Doosan Babcock, NMIS and more! We're determined to bring inspiring stories from industry professionals every year on the week of exam results. These individuals are a testament to the fact that your exam results aren't the defining factor in your future career. While it would be preferable to get the results you're looking for, you can still achieve your career goals no matter the circumstance. Visit https://www.nowrongpath.scot/ for more information.

Watch all the videos on our YouTube Channel.

#DYWUp2U
We were delighted to have collaborated with the likes of Skills Development Scotland, the NHS and Doosan Babcock for our #DYWUp2U webinars. Also, a special thanks to our presenter Gavin Oattes from Tree of Knowledge!

If you missed it, all webinars are available to view now at www.dyw.scot/sbpe.

Kickstart Scheme
In September, the UK Government introduced a new Kickstart Scheme that provides funding to employers to create new 6-month paid work placements for young people (aged 16-24) who are currently on Universal Credit.

The Kickstart Scheme aims to create new, fully funded jobs across the UK. Funding will cover:

• 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours per week (giving employers the option to top up these payments)
• The associated employer National Insurance contributions
• Employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions

There will be extra funding to help young people move into sustained employment after they’ve completed their 6-month placement under the Scheme.

Kickstart Scheme: https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/kickstart/

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir8OkmPy9YA&feature=youtu.be

Learn: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/kickstart-scheme

Apply: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-grant-through-the-kickstart-scheme

Youth Guarantee
The Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Fiona Hyslop MSP, announced further details on how the Youth Guarantee will give young people the chance to succeed despite the economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).  The announcement 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.
Find Out More

Pathways to STEM with TCV, LLTNP & NatureScot
In October we worked with The Conservation Volunteers, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and Nature Scot to bring a careers event to schools in West Dunbartonshire. 2 events took place at Vale of Leven Academy and Our Lady and St. Patrick's and highlighted the work of females in five outdoor/environmental roles. We'd like to extend a massive thanks to all the excellent speakers!

#STEMWest2020
As you might expect, our annual STEM West event was a bit different this yearand so we produced a series of videos for young people. We'd like to extend a massive thanks to all of the employers who got involved with STEM West this year!

We had amazing career information, insights and inspiration from some of the West Region's most amazing employers including:

• Advanced Forming Research Centre
• Diodes
• Institute of Civil Engineers
• Doosan
• Kier Group
• Lantra
• National Manufacturing Institute Scotland
• Scottish Leather Group
• Thermo Fisher Scientific
• Aggreko
• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
• J.P. Morgan
• Royal Bank of Scotland

If you missed it, you can head to our YouTube channel to learn more about the world of STEM, apprenticeships, what employers look for in young people as well as some hands-on activities and experiments you can do at home: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI49Ixlg_V63JDp9nRD8-Mg.

#AJobForEverybody, #MySkillsMakeMe Campaign
The #AJobForEverybody campaign returned this year with an exciting new element to it in the form of #MySkillsMakeMe.

The campaign was aimed at employers, parents and young people that promotes, illustrates and celebrates diversity and inclusion in the workplace, demonstrating the range of support available for young job seekers and employers as well as showcasing transferable skills and value through a diverse workplace. 

There was a series of events across the week (16th-20th November) including a live event: ‘Strengthening Diversity through Inclusion’ with 3 In Consulting and several webisodes from the DWP featuring Disability Confident and the return of ‘Play Your Cards Right!’ with Sue Livermore, (from Dumfries & Galloway College).

Catch up on those webisodes here.

DYW Skills Academy E-Learning Modules
In December of this year, we were delighted to be able to offer access to a series of e-learning modules to young people who are still in school but are planning to leave or go into employment. These modules followed on from our DYW Skills Academy programme that ran over the summer of 2020.

Modules included:

• Life at Work
• Basic Health and Safety
• Customer Service
• Cyber Security
• GDPR

On completion of each module, pupils would receive a certificate and be encouraged to include the modules on their CVs and reference them in any personal statements, applications or job interviews they may have as evidence of their knowledge and training.

Additional Funding from Scottish Government
We also received additional funding from the Scottish Government to be used by our 4 Local Authorities to resource DYW Schools coordinators. These roles will work with DYW West to maximise employer opportunities and help pupils reach a sustained positive destination.

Thank you so much to everyone who's worked with us in 2020, it's been a year like no other we're sure you'll agree. We wouldn't be able to help young people if it wasn't for all of our partners, so we'd like to extend our thanks to our local authorities, chambers of commerce, schools, employers and of course our amazing hosts West College Scotland.

We'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year from the DYW West team. Let's make 2021 bigger and better!