Young workforce funding announced in Orkney
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The Scottish Government has provided more than £1 million to establish Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Regional Groups in Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.
Minister for Employability and Training Jamie Hepburn made the announcement during a visit to Orkney College today, Monday.
The full funding allocation announced by the Minister here in Orkney was DYW Orkney – £330,450, DYW Shetland – £300,000 and DYW Outer Hebrides – £457,460.
The launch coincided with the news that funding for the DYW regional groups nationwide will be extended until 2021, and completes the network of 21 groups set up across Scotland as part of the Youth Employment Strategy: Developing the Young Workforce. More than 3,500 employers and 100 schools have already engaged with the programme since it was launched in 2015.
Minister Hepburn, said: “I’m delighted to announce this £1 million investment. Expanding the DYW network, along with our commitment to fund the groups until 2021, provides the certainty and reach to support employers and educators willing to work together for the benefit of young people across Scotland.
“Youth unemployment in Scotland is below the UK average, and is the fourth lowest in the EU. We have also seen a record number of school leavers from our most deprived communities continue their education and training, but we cannot afford to be complacent. That is why I have announced this new investment for the islands, as well as our extended commitment to the national programme.”
Stephen Kemp from Orkney Builders, one of the founders of the DYW group in Orkney, added: “It’s great to be part of an employer-led initiative that will enable us to proactively engage with young people at a suitably early stage. We will aim to ensure that students are properly guided in terms of their chosen fields of study, careers advice, and work experience with the aim being to properly prepare them for their chosen career path when they leave school.”
Orkney Islands Council leader James Stockan said: “The project is aimed at ensuring our young people have the right education, training and experience get into employment and fulfil their career ambitions.
“In our schools we are already getting children from a young age to think about jobs they might do in future. From fourth year onwards, there are opportunities for young people to mix education in our secondary schools with work experience, college courses and work placements.
“The funding announced today will mean that we can build on these firm foundations, improving employment opportunities for young people and helping to plug any gaps in the local jobs market.”
The award of financial support follows a successful bid made earlier this year by Orkney’s Developing the Young Workforce Regional Group Board.
The group brings together local industry sectors with representatives of the Council, the College, Skills Development Scotland and NHS Orkney.
Further coverage and reaction in The Orcadian on Thursday.