Following a successful launch, Dumfries and Galloways DYW team have charged full steam ahead.
Having met and established superb relationships with Education via the appointments of new DYW Teacher volunteers in each school in the region, the team then focused on business. D&G has an incredible wealth of varied businesses from Agriculture to wind farm and wave technologies to Graphic design and the team were and are making contact with all.
The project is based purely on a focussed, business led approach. Having illustrated the skills workforce gap and having industry acknowledge the problem has allowed the project to evolve into a new way of working. Bringing business to education and getting them working together.
What do the businesses need from a workforce right now? What will they require tomorrow…? The building blocks are being laid down now for a much more involved business community paving the way into education, meeting Teachers, parents and pupils to highlight and educate the many different sectors and opportunities in the region.
Businesses have grabbed the opportunity swiftly – here at last is an opportunity to be effective. Not only are they building on, participating in (or in some cases, introducing) a huge amount of their corporate responsibility in a very easy and yet vital way, but through the DYW team, they are realising they have an opportunity to implement a sustainable and truly effective business orientated programme with massive impact. Businesses will now be able to engage with more young people and spot and nurture talent they recognise earlier than ever before meaning that training, recruitment and development can be swifter, tailored and more effective.
Through various methods including work ready projects, mentorships and volunteering, businesses can now be involved with education in a new, productive way. Pupils will benefit to being exposed to the working, professional environment quicker and for longer and be able to identify possible vocations through practical experience rather than guesswork.
Through DYW, businesses now also have the pathway into education to increase awareness and application to apprenticeships. They can arrange presentations, and launch adverts directly to the pupils. DYW Teachers will assist with application forms and internet research. The businesses will whenever possible, hold the interviews in Schools/College premises. Not only will this method increase interest and applicants, but businesses can be assured that they will be investing correctly.
Dumfries and Galloway Chambers of Commerce DYW team are working with businesses to shape how tomorrow’s education system communicates and operates with business. Within one generation, businesses could actively be playing a part in the everyday curriculum. And thanks to the regions businesses and our supportive Teachers and Headteachers, that’s happening today.
