DYW Showcase highlights the benefits of Employer Engagement with schools across Inverness & Central Highlands
1 November 2023
A recent DYW SHOWCASE at Millburn Academy was a resounding success with many attendees taking to social media to express their thoughts.
The Highland Archive Centre posted on Facebook to say:
“A thoroughly inspirational morning with DYW Inverness and Millburn Academy Inverness. Fascinating to hear about some of the amazing partnerships, including High Life Highland. Really looking forward to our next projects with Millburn pupils - it's always a highlight of the year!”
Mikeysline posted:
“What a wonderful morning we had at Millburn Academy at an exceptionally organised Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland showcase event - Well Done Nel 👏👏 Inverness Chamber of Commerce. Great connecting with SO many local businesses and organisations and hearing all the great presentations delivered by teachers/support staff! There’s absolutely #NoWrongPath some kids just need that extra boost in confidence/support/skills 🌈”
The event organised by one of our School Co-ordinators Nel, featured the fantastic work that is taking place at Millburn Academy, Inverness, to embed DYW into the curriculum and take pupils learning beyond the classroom and into the world of work.
Nel, school staff and young people welcomed over thirty-five local and regional businesses who were all eager to hear about the links that the school has already forged with employers and learn more about how they could get involved in the future.
In an opening presentation to attendees Nel said,
“We believe that all young people in Inverness and Central Highland deserve the support and opportunity to have a positive future. As the DYW school coordinator my role is to develop and implement a programme of employer engagement aimed at enhancing and increasing young people's skills and talents which are needed for the world of work.”
Attendees heard about some of the recent projects that are taking place. These include a partnership with Stagecoach that will see young people create a series of graphic designs for the interior of the first fleet of electric buses across the Highlands and a project with Mikeys Line involving the NPA Jewellery Class who are designing and making calming jewellery to ease symptoms of stress and anxiety which will be sold by the charity to raise vital funds.
Sandra McCaughey, DYWICH interim programme manager concluded,
“A big thank you to everyone who attended, as an employer led organisation, hosted by Inverness Chamber of Commerce, our aim is to increase employer engagement across the schools we work in. At its heart, DYW is about Education and Employers working in partnership, creating opportunities for young people to develop skills, and to gain the chance to learn beyond the classroom. We’re here to help and support all employers invest in young people, building on the talent of today to become the future workforce of tomorrow.”
