Meet Jo Barclay, DYW School Coordinator for Fortrose Academy & Glen Urquhart High School

Introducing Jo Barclay
Jo Barclay joined Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland (DYWICH) in March 2024 and now plays a vital role as a DYW School Coordinator for two schools—Fortrose Academy and Glen Urquhart High School. As a mother of three school-age boys, Jo is no stranger to the questions and concerns young people face when planning their futures. Outside of work, she spends her weekends volunteering for Highland Rugby, where she has been a team manager and 'team mum' for five years, planning games and international tours. Driven by her passion for helping others, Jo is committed to being a positive role model for the young people in her community.

What Jo Loves About Being a DYW School Coordinator
Jo thrives on the opportunities her role offers to support young people in achieving their goals. For her, being a School Coordinator is about fostering an environment where students can "achieve, believe, and succeed." Every day presents a new learning opportunity as she works alongside enthusiastic and inspiring colleagues, teachers, and partners. Jo finds it incredibly rewarding to bring real-world experiences into the classroom, providing students with memorable opportunities that have a lasting impact on their future career choices.

Excitement for the New Academic Year
As a relatively new School Coordinator, Jo is eager to cultivate a strong DYW culture in her schools, strengthening relationships with teachers, employers, and the wider community. This year, she is particularly excited about upcoming projects, such as an archaeological discovery near one of her schools, potential collaborations with a local ethical clothing producer, and working with a mental health charity. Jo is passionate about offering students a diverse range of career opportunities, helping them grow in confidence and resilience.

Jo’s Journey: #NoWrongPath
Jo’s career path has been anything but linear, but every step of the way has provided valuable life lessons. Struggling academically, she worked hard to pass her exams but always kept busy, taking on various jobs—from swimming teacher to ski instructor. After leaving school at 17, she spent her winters on the slopes as a ski instructor and summers in France as an activity guide. At 21, she became a holiday rep, managing responsibilities across Europe. Eventually, Jo returned to Scotland to work for Sports Scotland but soon realised she missed being outdoors. Her diverse experiences culminated in a 25-year career with the police, where her background proved invaluable. Now, as a DYW School Coordinator, Jo uses her wealth of experience to guide young people in making informed decisions about their future.

Advice for Her Younger Self
Reflecting on her journey, Jo offers this advice: "Do something you enjoy. Have fun and don’t worry if you don’t know something—every day is a learning day. No one is perfect, and making mistakes is part of the process. Work hard, be the best you can be, and have no regrets. Be brave, follow your heart, and remember to live life to the fullest."

Jo's story is a testament to the fact that there is no single 'right path.' Through her role with DYW, she hopes to inspire the next generation to embrace opportunities, learn from their experiences, and forge their own unique journeys.

Contact Jo today…

…if you’d like to explore DYW opportunities connected with Fortrose Academy & Glen Urquhart High School then please get in touch with Jo at jo.barclay@dywich.co.uk

Or visit our DYW Inverness & Central Highland - What's on - get involved (padlet.com) platform to get a full picture of our programme of activity across our 14 secondary schools and get in touch today to find out more!