Introducing the DYW School Coordinator Team for 2024-2025: Empowering Our Young People

As we embark on a new academic year, we are thrilled to introduce the Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland (DYWICH) School Coordinator team for 2024-2025.

Our dedicated squad brings a wealth of experience and a passion for helping students, in each of our 14 secondary schools, to bridge the gap between education and the world of work.

Throughout the year, our School Coordinators will work closely with students, teachers, and local employers to deliver a range of initiatives designed to enhance the curriculum, inspire future aspirations, and ensure that every young person has the skills and confidence needed to succeed in their chosen path. From organising industry-led workshops to facilitating workplace visits and placements, the team provides support tailored to the unique needs of their individual schools and aligns with what our local, regional and future employment markets is looking for.

FANTASTIC NEW ADDITIONS 

[pictured l-r: Pamela, Jo, Jody and Sandy]

DYWICH has welcomed a few new faces to the 10-person strong team. Pamela Comery (covering Alness Academy, Invergordon Academy and Tain Royal Academy) and Jody Cataneo (covering Milburn Academy) are brand new for this academic year and excited to get started.

Jody explains, “I love that no day is the same, but also being able to showcase the many different options available to young people after school, giving the future working generations the confidence to be themselves and find the route that works for them.”

Pamela adds, “the thing I am looking forward to the most is working with the schools I am in to plan activities to help young people engage with the workforce when they go out into the world and that there really is something out there for everyone.”

Sandy Mackenzie (Dingwall Academy) and Jo Barclay (Glen Urquhart High and Fortrose Academy) both joined just before the end of the 2023-2024 school year and looking ahead they are looking forward to building on what they started within their respective secondary schools.

Sandy says, “Six weeks in, I’m captivated with the school environment and the commitment of those within it. So different from my time the challenges, demands, hopes and expectations of all are enormous. I’m looking forward to being a small part of making a difference.”

Jo explains, “As I am relatively new in post, I want the DYW culture to grow and gain momentum, by building positive and strong relationships with teachers, partners, employers and the local community, to enhance the school experience for our young people.”

OUR WIDER TEAM

They join Louise Taylor (Nairn Academy), Emma Donald (Inverness High School and Charleston Academy), Debbie Khadi (Grantown Grammar School and Kingussie High School), Wendy Hennem (Peripatetic), Soraya Macdonald (Culloden Academy) and Ben Mackay (Inverness Royal Academy) who are all motivated by making a difference in young people’s lives.

Debbie said, “The best bit is when an event or activity I have been involved in facilitating inspires a young person in a particular direction and I sees them on the first step of their journey.”

Ben adds, “I love seeing young people engaging with people in careers they are interested in and their excitement and enthusiasm for their futures.”

Louise loves, “the freedom she has to work within the needs of the school and to create and activity programme that will work for them and make a difference to those young people who participate.”

Giving back is what spurs Wendy on as DYW School Coordinator. She says “There’s nothing better than linking employers with young people and seeing the impact this can have on them. Particularly in terms of what’s out there for them once they leave school and giving them a broader outlook on the opportunities and pathways they can take.”

Emma adds, "My job allows me to learn about a wide range of professions and the passions that drive people in their careers. I then have the privilege of sharing this knowledge and enthusiasm with young people as they explore their future paths. It's exciting to watch them grasp life beyond school and feel inspired by the opportunities that lie ahead in the next stage of their journey."

Soraya loves being a DYW School Coordinator because, “I get to support the transition of young people from education to the labour market. I also support the teachers in making the curriculum relevant to the working world, for example, linking mathematics with hospitality.”

LEADERSHIP SUPPORT

Our DYW School Coordinators are supported by our management team who are Liz Fletcher, DYWICH Programme Lead, Sandra McCaughey, DYW Employer Engagement Manager and Gregor Campbell, DYW Operations Manager. They are always on hand to answer any business or stakeholder questions, or requests for DYWICH involvement. You can get in touch with them by emailing info@dywich.co.uk

Stay tuned to see how our DYW School Coordinator team will continue to make a positive impact, driving forward our mission to empower the next generation of skilled and confident young people so they are better prepared for the world of work.