Developing Scotland’s

Young Workforce

Dalkeith High SchoolCurriculum Evening

Julie Bones

COMMISSION FOR DEVELOPING SCOTLAND’S YOUNG WORKFORCE

Remit: to recommend ways to improve the employment prospects of all of Scotland’s young people and more widely Scotland’s economic success

Report published in June 2014

SOME FIGURES

In 2014, 18.8% youth unemployment - x3 all-age unemployment rate and double that of best performing European countries

In numbers, youth unemployment - 53,000. Total number of S1 pupils in Scotland - 55,000.

Number of unemployed youths equivalent to a single cohort of pupils across the country

Aim – To reduce youth unemployment by 40% by 2021

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE – SCOTLAND’S YOUTH

EMPLOYMENT STRATEGY

Increase the number of routes from schools into employment, or into further education which is closely linked to future employment

Promote greater engagement – young people, parents, teachers, partners and employers

Provide more support to develop learning about the world of work

Provide earlier, more relevant, career advice Embed meaningful employer involvement Consolidate partnership working with

colleges and other training providers

LEARNER JOURNEY: STEVEN

BGE – achieved at third and fourth levels

S3 Profile – aiming to go to college at end of S4 to follow construction-related course

S4 – N4 study in graphic communication, computing science, English, lifeskills maths & sciencePlus: N5 Skills for Work: Construction Skills – partnership between school and authority training organisation

STEVEN

Plus: Half-day work placement for year with local building company – led to Personal Development Award (SCQF5)-Self and Work

Transition – Steven secured modern apprenticeship with work placement company. Went on to study part-time for HNC in Construction Skills.

LEARNER JOURNEY: JANE

BGE – achieved at fourth level in all areas

S3 Profile – considering becoming a doctor

S4 – signed up for Pathways to the Professions. Pathways experiences, plus week of work experience at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary confirmed that career in medicine should be the goal.Plus: N5 study in maths, English, chemistry, biology, French, History

JANE

S5 – Higher study in biology, chemistry, English, French, mathsPlus: two days work experience in GP surgery

S6 – AH study in biology, chemistry; Higher study in History, PEPlus: Scottish studies (level 6) and supported study Plus: Volunteering Award (level 5), achieved through work at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary; at school for children with additional needs; and at Girls Brigade

JANE

Transition - Jane secured a place at university to study medicine

LEARNER JOURNEY: HEATHER BGE – has additional support needs; with

support, achieved at second level

S3 Profile – supported by Young Carers which inspired Heather to volunteer to support other young people; ambition to become a nursery assistant

S4 – one-year N3 study in English, lifeskills mathsPlus: embarked upon two-year N3/4 study in hospitality, practical woodworking, environmental science

HEATHERPlus: Two-year N4 Early Education and Childcare, including work placement in local nursery

S5 – continued two-year programmes of study and passed all courses at Nat 4Plus: literacy and numeracy units at Nat 4

Transition – Heather was successful in her application for the NC course in Early Education and Childcare at college

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT(ANTHONY MANN, ‘KEY ISSUES IN EMPLOYER

ENGAGEMENT IN EDUCATION’)

Crucial ingredient of future success in preparing young people for further learning and employment

Why? Less than a quarter of teenagers now

combine school with work; have to find other ways to introduce them to world of work

Better employment outcomes and higher earnings link

More options – new opportunities – but decisions harder

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT

Young people respond to authentic advice

Will prevent young people from ruling out options on the basis of misplaced assumptions

All young people will have access to the same work experience opportunities

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT

What are we asking?

Are you, as an employee or an employer, able to assist us in our efforts to link with the world of work?

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT

What might you do? Talk for forty-five minutes about your job

Assist with mock interviews

Offer work experience placements

Participate in careers events

Be part of enterprise activities

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT

Mentor young people

Provide job shadowing opportunities/work tasters

Help with CVs

Provide personal perspectives on apprenticeships; entrepreneurialism; use of languages, maths or science at work

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT

Please indicate your interest by completing tonight a short form that will be available from your group leader.

Thank you.