In 2023, Skills Development Scotland published a study titled ‘What Drives Young People’s Career Ambitions 2022/23' - a study aimed at collecting insight from school leavers across Scotland, regarding their career choices, influences, and motivations. When asked about who was most likely to influence their career decisions, 78% of participants identified parents and carers being the most influential. There is no doubt that many other key role models in young people's lives - including peers, careers advisors, educators, and youth work staff - all have an influence over young people’s decision making, as well as societal factors. What Can Industry Do to Help? ‘We don’t know what we don’t know yet’. As a parent, navigating the world of work with a young person in 2024 can be a confusing and unknown space. Parents will have had various experiences of entering the world of work as young people, and some of these may not have always been positive. Not only does industry have an opportunity to play a key role in raising awareness of what the world of work looks like in 2024, and what it will look like in the future, but also the opportunity to reset the relationship that some parents may have previously had with the world of work. How Can DYW Support Industry to Engage with Parents and Carers? There is a wide range of ways that industry can engage with parents and carers, and DYW is here to support in engaging at the right time, through the best method for you. DYW Regional Groups are a hive of activity throughout the year, engaging with young people, employers, partner organisations, and parents and carers. There are some great examples from across the country of how DYW has brought parents and carers together with industry, so they can engage with each other. DYW Ayrshire Information Evenings In February and March 2024, DYW Ayrshire collaborated with East, North and South Ayrshire Councils to hold authority-wide information evenings, which invited young people, their parents, carers and educators to meet employers from a variety of sectors. The first of these events, South Ayrshire Futures, with South Ayrshire Council, welcomed over 900 attendees and 53 employers, with the next two events attracting over 900 attendees. “An excellent event. All of the contributors were friendly and approachable. My 13-year-old son left feeling more confident about his future choices.” DYW Tay Cities Parents Information Webinar In October 2023, DYW Tay Cities hosted a webinar which provided parents with the opportunity to learn about Developing the Young Workforce Tay Cities, their efforts to bridge the gap between education and employment, and how DYW prepare young people for the world of work through work-based learning delivered by employers. At this webinar, parents and carers heard from a local employer and learned more about the different routes and pathways to careers. You can watch the recording here. Marketplace Marketplace is a free digital platform where industry can post offers of engagement for young people, educators, careers influencers and, importantly, parents and carers. One example of this is an opportunity uploaded by Engineering UK: ‘Parent’s guide to Engineering Careers.' Employers and partners have also used the platform to advertise open days and evenings for young people and their parents to find out more about their industry and organisation. Parents and carers, amongst others, are key influencers in young people’s career decision making and it is important that we don’t forget the vital role that they have. If you would like to support DYW in their work with parents and carers, please reach out to your local Regional Group or contact the DYW Scotland national team to discuss further. Comments are closed.
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