Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce Dalkeith High School Curriculum Evening Julie Bones

C OMMISSION FOR D EVELOPING S COTLAND ’ S Y OUNG W ORKFORCE 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

S OME F IGURES 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

G OVERNMENT R ESPONSE – S COTLAND ’ S Y OUTH E MPLOYMENT S TRATEGY 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

L EARNER J OURNEY : S TEVEN 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 & science Plus: N5 Skills for Work: Construction Skills – partnership between school and authority training organisation

S TEVEN 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.

L EARNER J OURNEY : J ANE 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

J ANE S5 – Higher study in biology, chemistry, English, French, maths Plus: two days work experience in GP surgery S6 – AH study in biology, chemistry; Higher study in History, PE Plus: 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

J ANE Transition - Jane secured a place at university to study medicine

L EARNER J OURNEY : H EATHER 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 maths Plus: embarked upon two-year N3/4 study in hospitality, practical woodworking, environmental science

H EATHER Plus: 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 4 Plus: 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

E MPLOYER E NGAGEMENT (A NTHONY M ANN, ‘K EY 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

E MPLOYER E NGAGEMENT 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

E MPLOYER E NGAGEMENT 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?

E MPLOYER E NGAGEMENT 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

E MPLOYER E NGAGEMENT 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

E MPLOYER E NGAGEMENT Please indicate your interest by completing tonight a short form that will be available from your group leader. Thank you.