About us
Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland was established in 2016 as part of the Scottish Government’s youth employment strategy. Hosted by Inverness Chamber of Commerce and with an employer-led Board, our aim is to develop sustainable links between schools, colleges and employers to help employers be more engaged in shaping their future workforce and better prepare young people for the world of work.
DYWICH has a School Coordinator in every secondary school in our area, working with schools, partners and employers to support young people in planning their future careers and gaining the skills and confidence they will need.
Our Area
- Tain Royal Academy
- Alness Academy
- Invergordon Academy
- Fortrose School
- Dingwall Academy
- Nairn Academy
- Culloden Academy
- Inverness High School
- Milburn Academy
- Charleston Academy
- Inverness Royal Academy
- Glen Urquhart High
- Grantown Grammar School
- Kingussie High School
Part of The Young Person's Guarantee
The Young Person’s Guarantee is a commitment to bring together employers, partners and young people. It aims to connect every 16 to 24 year old in Scotland to an opportunity. This could be a job, apprenticeship, further or higher education, training programme or volunteering.
The Team
School Coordinators
Jo Barclay
DYW School Coordinator
- Glen Urquhart High
- Fortrose School
Louise Taylor
DYW School Coordinator
- Nairn Academy
Emma Donald
DYW School Coordinator
- Inverness High School
- Charleston Academy
Debbie Khadi
DYW School Coordinator
- Grantown Grammar School
- Kingussie High School
Wendy Hennem
DYW School Coordinator
Soraya MacDonald
DYW School Coordinator
- Culloden Academy
Pamela Comery
DYW School Coordinator
- Alness Academy
- Invergordon Academy
Jody Cataneo
DYW School Coordinator
- Milburn Academy
Ben Mackay
DYW School Coordinator
- Inverness Royal Academy
Sandy Mackenzie
DYW School Coordinator
- Dingwall Academy
Our Schools
Our DYWICH Advisory Board
Chair – Gavin Ross
Gavin Ross brings extensive leadership experience across both public and private sectors, having worked in manufacturing and engineering roles throughout his career. Originally from Stirling, Gavin relocated to the Highlands in 2021 with his wife and four children, settling in Fortrose. He is currently the Managing Director of SGL Carbon Fibres Ltd, where he is restructuring the business to meet evolving market demands.
With a background in engineering and business management, Gavin’s career includes 18 years at LifeScan, where he progressed to Senior Engineering Manager and led an award-winning Engineering Apprenticeship program accredited by IEEE and iMechE. Following his tenure at LifeScan, he held leadership roles at SGL and Northeast Nutrition, gaining expertise in operations management, strategic planning, and business development. A passionate advocate for innovation and sustainability, Gavin is also a patent holder and former STEM ambassador.
Gavin holds a BEng (Hons) in Engineering and an MSc in Supply Chain and Operations Management. Outside of work, he enjoys swimming, cycling, hill walking, fly fishing, and renovating a Mirror Class offshore yacht. His dedication to skills development and inspiring young talent aligns with DYW's mission to empower the workforce of tomorrow.
Board members
