The 21 Regional DYW groups across Scotland have released a survey to businesses, seeking their insight on how we can continue the work of DYW in schools and colleges.
​We understand that the plans businesses may have had for engaging with young people through DYW and direct with schools and colleges may have changed due to COVID-19.
 
Young people are one group in the labour market who are hit hardest by negative changes in the economy and we are doing all we can to continue, re-align and re-imagine the work of DYW at this challenging time.
 
As the situation evolves, insight from business is crucial to shape our work going forward and support us in building young people’s capacity to enter the world of work.
 
To help us shape our work we would greatly appreciate you taking three minutes to respond to our DYW Business Pulse Survey here.
 
Please complete all responses by Wednesday 27 May.

Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) 21 regional groups are preparing to launch an awareness campaign across Scotland showcasing roles within the key sectors to make young people more aware of the types of jobs involved and what skills/qualities would be required. 
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We want to tap into the energy of key workers to push this campaign forward and inspire the next generation. The campaign which will be promoted across social media platforms and will feature a variety of sectors and job roles. 
 
Our young people in Scotland will be the future of our workforce and we hope that this campaign inspires them into roles that have proven to be invaluable in protecting us all.  

The campaign which will be promoted across social media platforms will feature a variety of sectors and job roles. You and your colleagues can get involved in a couple of ways:

Option 1- Record a short video talking about the job role, how you got into this etc. Prompt questions below.  
Option 2- Send us a photograph of yourself or colleague(s), either in uniform or in your working environment and complete the below questions.  
Name – 
Job title – 
Company you/ they work for – 
How you came into the role – 
Did you do training? If so, what training – 
Important skills for the role – 
Favourite part of the job – 
Quote about being a keyworker (how does it make you feel etc) –  

If you would like to take part please send your photos and answers or video to iheard@dywborders.co.uk

New Scottish Racing Academy recruiting students for people wanting a career in horse racing, and offers Continuing Professional Development opportunities for current racing staff

Scottish Racing, the body which promotes the sport of horse racing in Scotland, has announced the creation of a new sister organisation, the Scottish Racing Academy.
The new Scottish Racing Academy has collaborated with schools and colleges across Scotland and is now seeking to recruit anyone who wishes to gain essential employability and academic qualifications, develop riding skills and gain knowledge of the vast range of careers within the racing industry. The Academy also offers opportunities for those who already work in horse racing to upskill their careers.

The qualifications are being delivered as part of the National Curriculum for Excellence at all 9 schools in the Scottish Borders and encourage young people to complete a racing specific, horse care qualification, whilst studying in their senior phase at school. Students can then continue their learning journey by undertaking a full-time Race Horse Care programme at Borders College, which commences in August 2020. This fully-funded programme allows students to gain qualifications whilst gaining invaluable work experience within racing yards.
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Thanks to support from the Racing Foundation and the wider racing industry, the Scottish Racing Academy offers training for new recruits into horse racing and also provides opportunities for current stable staff to gain recognition for their current skills or gain additional skills whilst continuing to work.

Media Release: Borders College 

In a twist of circumstance that would not seem out of place on an episode of The Apprentice, budding young businesspeople from across the Borders had to adapt quickly for this year’s Young Enterprise Scotland Borders final, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The programme, which aims to help young people realise their potential and success in the world of business, was due to come to a completion at the grand finale, hosted at the Scottish Borders Campus on 19th March 2020. However, following all of the students’ efforts, spanning the academic year, the management committee had to postpone the event as a result of the national lockdown. Judging of the programme’s six categories (Best Trade Stand, Best Report, Best 360 Feedback, Best Presentation, Best Digital Presence and Borders Company of the Year), was subsequently carried out remotely, with the winners announced via Facebook on Friday 1st May 2020.
 
The judges were impressed with the diversity of the products offered by students from the five teams, representing Berwickshire High School and Earlston High School.  Items for sale included dog treats, succulent plants potted in recycled glass jars, luxury gingerbread houses and acrylic signs.
 
Lead judge Alice Pringle, from programme sponsor TRICAPITAL, the Scottish Borders business angels, said: “Congratulations to all the teams! I was tremendously impressed by their ideas, products and teamwork.  The amount the teams and individuals learnt through the process of developing an enterprise will be very valuable in their futures.  The opportunity for trial presentations and practice trade stands at TRICAPITAL before the Final Reports gave the teams useful feedback from existing businesspeople, and there were good points in the work and enthusiasm of all the teams.  I was particularly struck by the winning team’s clear plan of action and creation of sales opportunities. Their enthusiasm for their product literally sold it! It’s good to see the next generation of Borders businesspeople are so switched on, and know that the future is in good hands.”
 
The programme gives real working experience, with each student committing to a role within the company. The undertaking of a role facilitates learning about the essence of enterprise and enhancing the student’s development of a wide range of skills such as problem-solving, communication and resilience – all of which are relevant to those in business today.
 
Chloe Purves, Chair of the Young Enterprise Scotland Local Area Team, said: “Over the last 8 months S5 and S6 (15-19-year olds) involved in the Young Enterprise Scotland Company programme have had the ultimate business experience. They have gained a valuable understanding of how business works - how to set up a company, write a business plan, produce and sell a product and keep financial records. However, it is the key employability and entrepreneurial skills they have learnt that will set them in good stead for the future – presentation skills, team working and leadership, communication skills and how to conduct yourself in an interview situation. But by far, the most rewarding thing is seeing their confidence grow and their ideas come alive. This coming year we hope to have more secondary schools involved particularly as the Programme now offers the students the opportunity to gain a higher-level qualification.”
 
It is hoped that, as we move out of lockdown, the winners of the Borders Company of the Year will have the opportunity to attend the national final, held in Edinburgh.
 
Quote from winner, Border Mugs, whose product was a mug decorated with a word search that included many of the towns from across the region, said: “x”

 
The 2019/20 category winners:

• Best Report – Gr02
• Best 360 Feedback – Border Mugs
• Best Trade Stand – Treats & Troubles
• Best Digital Presence – Border Mugs
• Best Presentation – Border Mugs
• Borders Company of the Year – Border Mugs

Media Release - McGowan Marketing