Developing the Young Workforce

Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) is the Scottish Government’s Youth Employment strategy to better prepare young people for the world of work. Skills Development Scotland is a significant partner in supporting and aligning to this mission working with DYW Regional Employer Groups across Scotland to connect employers and education for the benefit of young people.

DYW information

Schools and colleges use Marketplace, the digital platform that connects education with businesses, to bring industry to life for young people. Employers can offer partnership activities to education such as workplace site visits, talks and career insight sessions and teachers can book these opportunities through Marketplace.

Alignment between employer offers, Career Management Skills and the Career Education Standard can be viewed at the School Employer Partnership Framework.

National and Regional representatives from SDS Career Information, Advice and Guidance and other parts of SDS support the work of the employer-led DYW Regional Groups at team and board level with direct links from SDS to Scottish Government, who fund the programme, in place to review development and progress.

As a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Scottish Government’s response has been the Young Person's Guarantee and a major investment has been directed to provide additional DYW school co-ordinators to further promote opportunities to inspire young people and give them the skills and support from employers to enter the labour market.

SDS and DYW Target Operating Model

SDS and DYW have been working on a collaborative approach to work planning and the case studies here reflect the experience of implementing a target operating model, the benefits of this and future plans.

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Access learning for DYW Coordinators

Access professional learning sessions for DYW coordinators. Themes to date have included LMI, the Marketplace employer engagement platform, Careers Service input to schools and work based learning programmes.

DYW/SDS Partnership Agreement and work planning model

DYW Partners section

SDS works with a variety of partners who support the Developing the Young Workforce agenda and employer engagement in education. Below are some examples of activities that support young people to experience the world of work and to be supported by employers on their learner journey.

Joined-up approach will benefit pupils across Scotland

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) have created an operating model which will ensure joined up services for young people in schools across the country.

The benefits of this partnership approach will include improved working relationships and joint working in schools, understanding and definition of roles and responsibilities and agreed standards across all school – with flexibility to shape dependant on young peoples’ needs.

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