We are the young people of Forth Valley and we want to tell everyone how our local employers have inspired us:
Have a look at the film below which shows how our amazing local employers make a difference to us. We hope you enjoy it. Alternatively if you have an opportunity in mind that you would like to offer to education you can register on Marketplace.
This platform supports our key stakeholders to build young people’s job readiness and increases their career options. At the same time, you can help shape young talent, address skills gaps and source your future workforce. This week Falkirk Council Children's Services have launched their #STEMatHome social media campaign to encourage all Falkirk early years, primary and secondary pupils and practitioners to get involved in STEM related home learning. You can follow @RAiSE_Falkirk and @CSCommsFalkirk for ideas, challenges and inspiration if you want to get involved. This campaign got us thinking. We thought we would look back at an excellent STEM event that was delivered by Graeme High School in Falkirk. Inspirational STEM professionals spent the day in school delivering interactive workshops to challenge stereotypes and encourage girls to see the benefits of studying STEM subjects. For a printable version of this case study click on the picture above.
Industry input can make a real difference and can help to contextualise learning. If you are a business who would like to get involved in bringing STEM to life for our pupils, either as part of their home learning or once schools return, then get in touch, we would love to hear from you. Last October young people at Stirling High School took part in 'Design Your Future', a collaborative week of inspiring activities aimed at raising awareness of how numerous industries use digital skills. Read on below for a brief insight into the event, partners involved and how young people benefited from these activities. You can also click on the case study for a printable PDF. During this challenging time all of Codebase' digital skills workshops have moved online. Have a look at their website to see how you can boost your own digital skills for free! It has been an unprecedented couple of weeks and it is difficult to comprehend that we have now spent only 10 days working and learning from home. In this time, we, as a nation, have all shown exceptional adaptability, creativity, compassion and resilience; in our ability to change the way we approach our work, think of innovative ways to continue to learn, challenge how we perceive and interact with others and manage how we self direct our time and motivate ourselves. Although individually we may feel this has been challenging and stressful, pushing us very much outside of our comfort zones, and we may worry how we will cope as this period extends ahead of us, at DYW Forth Valley we are attempting to re-frame this in our minds. For all of us: pupil, teacher, parent, business partner... we are all stretching our capacity, utilising our many skills and developing new ones. At DYW Forth Valley we think the film below, created by SDS last year in response to understanding what future skills will be required in the workplace, is very pertinent at the moment. So whether you are a pupil, teacher, parent or business partner we would like to ask: what skills have you used recently and what skills have you drawn upon that you didn't realise you have? "Technological and societal disruptions are coming at us thick and fast. Whilst we cannot predict the future, we can prepare for a future that is increasingly unpredictable." DYW Forth Valley are still here and happy to support you, please email [email protected]
Please see below for our current COVID-19 positioning statement from Jen Henderson, Programme Manager, DYW Forth Valley. For the latest education updates on COVID-19 please click here.
Please find below, the evaluation for 'Women in Construction' which consolidates feedback from a selection of the pupils, teachers and partners who took part in this event. We are delighted that this diverse offer delivered meaningful and enriching activities to all pupils and teachers and that the partners who facilitated have reported value in being involved.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2020 is all about celebrating the diversity that makes work-based learning good for individuals, employers and the economy. This year’s campaign theme is ‘Talent Without Limits’, with the aim to challenge outdated and limiting views of apprenticeships and who they are for. At DYW Forth Valley, we thought it might be useful to give you the lowdown so whether you are a pupil, employer, teacher or parent/carer, read on to discover how they work, the variety available and the myths that have developed around them. Last year there were over 28,000 Apprenticeship starts across a wide range of sectors and the whole Apprenticeship family, which includes Graduate Apprenticeships. These provide the opportunity to achieve qualifications up to the equivalent of Master’s degree level, whilst in paid employment. There has also been a growth in opportunities for school pupils in the senior phase to take up a Foundation Apprenticeship as a subject alongside their Nationals and Highers. Apprentices are employed across Scotland in a wide range of jobs in sectors including Engineering, Construction, Financial and Business Services, Health and Social Care, Digital Technology, Tourism and Food and Drink. "An FA is a great way for an employer to try before they buy. There is a talent pipeline here, in development, which employers can support with work-based learning. This is mutually beneficial because it allows them the opportunity to share their company expectations and values prior to employing them. Even if doesn’t lead directly to employment at this point, these young people have gained valuable experience and employability skills preparing them for the next step in their career journey.” Employers report a wide range of benefits from supporting pupils on Foundation Apprenticeships and from recruiting Modern and Graduate Apprentices. Click on the slideshow below for the most recent stats gathered by Skills Development Scotland. QUICKFIRE FACTS & common mythsScroll through the slideshow below to discover some quickfire facts about apprenticeships and read on to bust some of the most common myths still around today. MYTH 1: Apprenticeships are only available in manual industriesWhile this might once have been the case, apprenticeships are now available in over 1,500 occupations across 170 industries, ranging from nuclear to Fashion, Law, Banking and Defence. Follow this link to find out more about the many frameworks available within Scotland. MYTH 2: Most apprentices are menIt’s true that sectors such as Construction and Engineering still tend to be male-dominated, however this is changing. With STEM related activity a priority across Forth Valley, and Scotland in general, female pupils are being provided with more opportunities to explore these industries and understand how their skills and attributes are valued. This week DYW Forth Valley has collaborated with over 20 partners to raise awareness of the many pathways young women can access as part of the 'Women in Construction' event for #ScotAppWeek2020 and International Women's Day. MYTH 3: Apprentices Must Be Young PeopleFalse. The minimum age limit for an apprentice is 16. There is no upper age limit. myth 4: you WON’T BE EARNING AS MUCH AS GRADUATESNot necessarily true. First of all you won't be racking up student debt so there's already a massive advantage for choosing an apprenticeship over another training or education route. Secondly you are earning while you train. Three years down the line when your peers are leaving university and looking for their first professional jobs you will be further up the career path, already earning, with significantly more applied experience than them. You may even find yourself supervising them. "We really want to give young people the opportunity to develop skills with us so taking on an apprentice within this environment makes sense. Everyday is different and wildly varied in relation to the business support roles and activities they are involved in, from customer service to event management. Their experience here at the Innovation Park is a great stepping stone that could catapult them onto an amazing career path, or if we are lucky we might even get to keep them!" NEW DEVELOPMENT IN FORTH VALLEYStirling University has recently have been awarded 25 Graduate Apprenticeships in Data Science through Skills Development Scotland. These opportunities are free for businesses to access for existing or new members of staff with no geographic requirement of location for student or business. This is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to invest in their staff and future as demand for workers with specialist data skills like data scientists and data engineers has more than tripled over five years (+231%), according to a labour market analysis commissioned for Dynamics of data science skills, a new Royal Society report published in May 2019. More information about the Graduate Apprenticeship in Data Science at Stirling University can be obtained by contacting Dr Mario Kolberg (Data Science Course Director) at University of Stirling on 01786 467440 or [email protected] You can find out more about Scottish Apprenticeships at www.apprenticeships.scot/scotappweek or by visiting the relevant section of our website: If you would like any more information about how your business can support an apprentice please email us in the first instance using the button below:
On Thursday 20th February approximately 160 pupils from schools across Falkirk were given the opportunity to experience, first hand, what it is to work in the world of Scottish hospitality, food and tourism. Springboard, the charity dedicated to helping young, unemployed and disadvantaged people improve their prospects in life through a career in hospitality, leisure and tourism work in collaboration with their industry partners to enable these S2 pupils to sample the Hospitality, Food and Tourism industry whilst encouraging the pupils to think about these industries as a career of choice. Funded by Skills Development Scotland, and hosted by Forth Valley College's renowned Hospitality Department; this event is supported by an exciting line-up of organisations each committed to supporting the day by providing interactive workshops, these include; Historic Environment Scotland, Forth Valley College’s cheffing team, Gather & Gather, Rough Castle Experiences, The Golden Lion Hotel, Macdonald Hotels, Caledonian Produce and, of course, Springboard. "Our pupils have had an absolutely amazing time. It has been a revelation for us to see how confident they are in such a different environment, they are completely out of their comfort zone yet are showing us how adaptable they really are." What links Formula 1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart, British Fencing Champion Keith Cook and Scotland Footballer Steven Naismith? Well, for one thing, they have all received an exclusive Dyslexia Scotland Christmas card designed by young people from Clackmannanshire Secondary School Services in Alloa. Every year Dyslexia Scotland sends a Christmas card to its high profile President, ambassadors, funders and other partners designed by dyslexic young Scottish people and artists, to highlight the creative talents that dyslexia can bring, as well as having a unique set of cards to 'wow' their partners with. Thanks to DYW Forth Valley, a link was made with Clackmannanshire's Secondary School Support Service whose talented young artists got the chance to collaborate with local designer, Lindsey Scott, to make a set of original designs. As an artist with Dyslexia, Lindsey was very keen to support these young people through the creative process. The young people themselves each received a pack of their designs to share with friends and family, or keep as an impressive portfolio piece. “We’re thrilled with the creative, witty and colourful Christmas card designs made by young people from Clackmannanshire. Art and design are often dyslexic strengths and a great way for young dyslexic people to express themselves, as well as develop essential creative thinking skills needed for the future world of work. We’re very grateful to Developing Young Workforce Forth Valley for connecting us with a local school willing to get involved with the project, and to the artist Lindsey Scott for sharing her skills with the group.” “Having opportunities for young people with dyslexia to work with businesses in projects such as this one are so important, it allows them to work together to promote the value of dyslexic strengths in the workplace and demonstrate to an employer what an asset they can be to their business.” What do Dyslexia Scotland Do?Dyslexia Scotland encourage and enable people with dyslexia, regardless of their age and abilities, to reach their potential by providing support, resources and training. Whether you are a young person or adult living with Dyslexia, someone who works with and supports people with Dyslexia or an Employer who wants to employ a person with Dyslexia, check out what assistance is available in your local area, via the button below. Where can I find more information?Are you a young person with Dyslexia considering what career options are right for you?Following the success of their 2019 Dyslexia Awareness Week poster campaign, which featured five dyslexic Scots in their workplace, Dyslexia Scotland have filmed a set of career stories of 12 real dyslexic Scots to challenge assumptions about career success and learning difference, and to encourage young dyslexic Scots to be optimistic for their futures. Viewers can catch each new episode on Wednesdays over the next few months by following Dyslexia Scotland on their YouTube channel: Dyslexia Scotland TV. Episodes 1 -3 are currently available and we have given you a taster below by sharing Gavin, the Police Officer's Journey. If you would like more information on how your organisation can work in partnership with schools across Forth Valley, email us or follow our social media channels below:
Our December 2019 newsletter is now available to view, click on the button below to see what's new and what we are looking forward to in 2020.
This week we are celebrating #AJobForEveryone to show that there is no wrong path into work and to highlight that support is out there to tackle barriers into employment. Read how the team at Link Living, Falkirk are supporting young people in our schools who face challenges to engaging in mainstream education.
Work based learning is invaluable in helping young people to develop skills and experience the world of work. Read how Forth Ports supported pupils during a behind the scenes week of discovery at their Port of Grangemouth. Click on the picture if you want to access a printable copy of this case study. If you would like to support young people develop skills for work by offering a work based learning opportunity get in touch: click the button below:
looking back to expand for the futureRead below and view the 2019 event video to see how our STEM industry partners have inspired the next generation. Plans for STEM@HELIX 2020 are firmly under way with exciting plans for expansion and engagement of more young people. If you are a STEM employer and would like to get involved in STEM@Helix 2020 please email us using the button below:
It’s probably time to dispel some myths about computer coding... As Codebase, Stirling prepares to turn 2, Barry McDonald, Community & Events Manager at CodeBase Stirling joins us as a guest blogger for #NationalCodingWeek to explain a bit about coding. Whether you are a teacher, parent or young person navigating through this evolutionary phenomenon, Barry may have a bit of useful information to share. The harsh truth is that coding is no longer the domain of the stereotypical hoodie-wearing, laptop basher, frantically tapping away at the keyboard into the wee small hours. Walk into any one of our Level:Up coding clubs and it’s full of laughing, excited girls and boys of all ages, unleashing their creativity to design their own games, make their own websites or code the tiny BBC micro:bit computers to play rock/paper/scissors with their friends. They’re having fun while developing vital skills. And while they may be learning useful technical skills to equip them for a tech and digital future, they’re really developing transferable skills that will hold them in good stead for the future world of work. Usually without realising it. Students get a ‘taste’ of working in the Hospitality and Tourism sectorsOn Monday 9th September a total of 150 pupils from schools across the Stirling and Clackmannanshire council areas will be given the rare opportunity to experience, first hand, what it is to work in the world of Scottish hospitality, food and tourism.
Springboard, the charity dedicated to helping young, unemployed and disadvantaged people improve their prospects in life through a career in hospitality, leisure and tourism will enable 150 pupils at S3/S4 to sample the Hospitality, Food and Tourism industry whilst encouraging the pupils to think about those industries as a career of choice. In May 2019 pupils in S3, 4 and 5 at Wallace High school were exposed to numerous career pathways from within the Mechanics sector from skate maintenance to HGV repairs. Local partners JAG Auto Engineers Ltd, MTS Recovery & Repairs Ltd and The Skate People collaborated to show young people the practicalities of their sector. Alongside GTG Training/Arnold Clark's interactive apprenticeship van, showcasing the exciting world of automotive apprenticeships, young people were able to gain some hands on exposure to this pathway.
DYW Scotland have highlighted DYW Forth Valley's Primary Aspirations as good practice.
Click on the image below to read the blog on DYW Scotland's webpage. If you would like to discuss the possibility of Primary Aspirations for your school, or if you are a business who would like to find out more about this programme and how you can support it, please email [email protected] DYW Scotland have highlighted STEM@HELIX as good practice.
This year's event is open to the public on 18th May 2019 at The Helix in Falkirk. Click on the image below to read the blog on DYW Scotland's webpage. We hope to see you there! We would love to expand this event in the future, if you and/or your business would like further information on how to get involved please email [email protected]
WE CATCH BACK UP WITH SALES AGILITY'S NEWEST RECRUITS during scottish apprenticeship week TO FIND OUT HOW THEY ARE GETTING ON 4 MONTHS IN.If you are a young person looking for more information about Apprenticeships please click the button below: If you are an employer looking for more information about Apprenticeships please click the button below:
Running across the UK for over 10 years now, Springboard Hospitality, Food & Tourism Takeover events continue to go from strength to strength.
These innovative and highly interactive careers days involve pupils in Hospitality, Food and Tourism skills-based activities encouraging participants to think about these sectors as a career of choice. The event today, has engaged over 170 pupils from 9 schools across the Falkirk local authority. These takeover events provide the opportunity for pupils to take part in nine different workshops aimed at finding out about the range of job roles available across the sector in both an exciting and engaging way, delivered in partnership with local employers. NHS Scotland have created career resources for teachers and career advisors packed full of helpful material for them to share with young people. The resource pack gives teachers the materials for a 'ready-made set of lessons'. These lessons can take the form of a one-off lesson or a full unit of five lessons, you have full access to lesson packs, slide packs and pupil materials for all five lessons. The resource pack also provides everything you need to know about NHS careers, designed specifically to help career advisors to use during one-to-one career guidance, group sessions or events like parents evenings. Click images above to find resources. The resources created for career advisors include 'A Guide to NHSScotland careers' and 'A career for you in NHSScotland' leaftet.
The leaflet created shows job families at a glance, and which roles come under which professions within NHS Scotland. The booklet is an in-depth guide to this, highlighting the skills, qualities and qualifications needed within each job family and role to allow an insight to be given to young people. |
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