How DYW Regional Groups Promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

With less than two weeks to go until this year’s #AJobForEverybody campaign, we are sharing how some of the DYW Regional Groups promote diversity, equality and inclusion.

​Partnerships with DYW North East 
We develop strong partnership relationships so that we can help local employers to create diverse and inclusive workplaces. This includes working with organisations such as This Is Milk, Autism Understanding Scotland and Apt to highlight the training and support they can offer our region’s employers. 

Tackling Gender stereotypes with DYW West
For International Women’s Day 2023, in partnership with Howden, we hosted an event to inspire female pupils to consider a future career in engineering. Howden invited over 50 female pupils, from 11 schools from the region to their Renfrew facility. As part of the visit pupils were provided a tour of the facility and a first hand look at the processes and technology used at Howden. They heard from accomplished female engineers and manufacturing professionals who shared their personal journeys into their career. The students also participated in hands on demonstrations, using a VR headset, and fun engaging STEM workshops.”
 
Focusing on Social Mobility with DYW Glasgow
Glasgow, as Scotland’s biggest local authority, houses young people from the most diverse backgrounds who often face the most difficult societal challenges, containing within its boundaries, the postcodes with some of the highest levels of deprivation across Scotland.  
 
Through close engagement with local authority teams as well as partners such as Skills Development Scotland and a huge network of third sector network operating within our learning committees, we tailor each project and activity to best meet the specific needs of the young people of Glasgow. 
 
In collaboration with our host organisation, the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, DYW Glasgow supported the Step Up Glasgow initiative, offering paid work placements to young people with barriers to employment.  This year, DYW Glasgow are piloting a new project with FARE Scotland to engage with identified young people in S3 to create a connected programme of work experience.  
 
Supporting Young People with Additional Support Needs and Young People with Care Experience - DYW Forth Valley
 
Initial engagement has taken place with MBC Recruitment to provide guidance and support around their ambition to deliver a paid work experience programme specifically aimed at young people with additional support needs.  This ambition was as a result of a successful pilot programme for senior phase pupils at Carrongrange High School, Falkirk during the summer of 2023, where pupils with additional support needs took part in paid work experience, supported by employers will volunteer hours, at the Royal Highland Show.
 
DYW Forth Valley actively engages employers through direct contact and social media channels to support MCR Pathways and Career Ready programmes, which help social mobility and support young people about to enter or who are already in the care system. We have referred employers to both organisations who wish to take part in the 2023/24 term. We also plan to deliver a face-to-face employer engagement event in early 2024 where both organisations can chat to local employers to promote their programmes and encourage support.
 
 
Supporting Young People with Additional Support Needs and rurality challenge - DYW West Highland
The Highland region offers only one specialised school in Inverness - and Inverness is a three hour commute from much of our area, so ASN pupils here are unable to access that facility unless their families relocate (some do).
 
In DYW West Highland, we work with ASN units or guidance teachers to make sure that these postcode lottery youngsters receive the best opportunities available. We work with all partners to find solutions to issues such as transport or funding for transport - where the rurality of the individual is the SIMD or exacerbates child poverty issues. Some people live where there is no bus route, or no buses to fit work working hours, so the free travel card for young people doesn’t necessarily serve all those who need it.
 
We also ensure that our messaging contains the importance of all roles in society. Our economy and communities need people in jobs at every level, so we are careful to highlight that it’s as brilliant to want to work as a janitor or in the local shop as it is to become and engineer or doctor.
 
We have an ASN young person we supported into a role at Mallaig Co-op in May/June. Without support in his application form, interview confidence and skills he may not have been successful. That success is as important to us as any big targeted event in a populous area. 
 
 
How Does Your Organisation Support Equality, Diversity and Inclusion?
On 26th September, we want to hear how your business or organisation supports equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. There are many ways in which you can get involved in the #AJobForEverybody campaign:

• Share success stories of people within your business or organisation who overcame barriers to employment. Celebrate their achievements, raise awareness, inspire young people and set a good example for other employers.
• Share resources, strategies and benefits relating to equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Do you have an EDI strategy? In what ways do equality, diversity and inclusion benefit your business or organisation?
• Post opportunities which welcome young people of all ethnicities, genders and abilities to apply.

Remember to tag @DYWScot on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, and include the hashtag #AJobForEverybody. You can post images, videos and/or written pieces.
For more information, check out the campaign page and download the employer and partner toolkit.
We look forward to learning more about how your organisation celebrates equality, diversity and inclusion!