With Scottish Apprenticeship Week just around the corner, now is a perfect time to consider Investors in Young People (IIYP) and how it could benefit your business.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week highlights how valuable apprenticeships are to businesses, individuals and the wider economy. Last year over 160 events took place across the country and 2015 is set to be bigger and better than ever before.
Investors in People Scotland is an advocate of apprenticeships and all initiatives that support young people enter the world work of work. Over the past nine months, IIP Scotland has been successfully rolling out the IIYP accreditation initiative to businesses across the country. With 100 companies already awarded and reaping the benefits, why not explore how IIYP could work for you?
The benefits of IIYP
IIYP is Scotland’s only people management award focusing on employers’ recruitment and retention of young people.
The accreditation focuses on rewarding and recognising employers who have a track record in recruiting and retaining young people, while encouraging others to begin working with young people. Key benefits of being awarded with IIYP status include future business growth, professional development, the creation of a talent pool for the future, as well as guidance and encouragement to employers to access a range of support services. There is also the recognition that comes with being IIYP accredited which shows effectiveness in recruiting, retaining and developing young people.
Scottish Enterprise is committed to young people
A recent awardee of IIYP is Scottish Enterprise. The organisation was commended for its commitment to young people and its strong focus on creating employment and training opportunities. In recent years, Scottish Enterprise has heavily invested in establishing opportunities for young people at the organisation. This includes the launch of a two year Graduate Development Programme, an Enterprise Apprentice Programme and a Modern Apprentices scheme.
Chief executive of IIP Scotland Peter Russian highlighted that Scottish Enterprise had raised the bar with its application and accreditation and praised the organisation for its commitment to its young workforce. Scottish Enterprise has guaranteed youth employment will remain a key pillar of its business plan over the coming years.
How can IIYP work for you?
IIYP is available to all organisations in Scotland regardless of size, structure or sector. Now you can experience the framework for yourself with the Investors in Young People tool which can be found at iiyp.investorsinpeople.co.uk
Here you can answer 20 short questions about your business and receive a tailored report highlighting your strengths and development opportunities around recruitment, retention and leadership of young people.
Opening your business up to young people will make working for you attractive to other young minds and their networks. Young people are cost effective to recruit, train and hold onto.
For further information about IIYP call 0131 6250155, email iiyp@iipscotland.co.uk or visit the website at www.investorsinpeople.scot
