Marketplace Makeover – Positive Changes to How Employers Provide Opportunities for Young People

After its initial launch in 2016, Marketplace became the go-to platform for connecting employers with schools and colleges across Scotland. Since then, digital developments have allowed room for improvements to the popular opportunity-sharing site. We can now confirm that on 19th July, the much-anticipated Marketplace 2.0 went live. To celebrate this, DYW’s weekly #MarketplaceMonday campaign was temporarily renamed to #MarketplaceMakeover.  

​Marketplace Makeover – What’s New? 
So, what is new with the updated version of Marketplace? Well, aside from its modernised, eye-catching appearance, changes have been made to how employers define their opportunities. Now employers can differentiate their opportunities under the following three categories: ​

• Work inspiration and preparation: this category represents opportunities which can help inspire and prepare young people for the world of work. Employers can offer activities such as class talks, workplace visits, career events, enterprise activities, skills sessions, awareness sessions, challenges, competitions and more.

• Work experience and placements: employers may offer work experience and placements to young people through Marketplace. There are two ways in which Marketplace will promote your listing, depending on its target audience. If an offer is targeted towards school pupils, it will referred to a relevant support provider within the local authority of the area in which the activity is offered. If the opportunity is targeted towards young people who have left education (or the opportunity will be taking place over school holidays), the offer will be displayed on Marketplace.​

 

• Influence the influencer: through this option, employers can offer opportunities to educators, career advisors and other practitioners, alongside parent/carers. This is an opportunity for employers to raise awareness of their company or industry amongst those who impact and influence young people’s career and progression choices. 

​Previously, Marketplace was the place to go for employers looking to connect with young people in schools and colleges across Scotland. Now the platform has expanded to include the ability for employers to offer opportunities to young people who have left education. This new ability ensures that all young people aged 16-24 can undertake relevant activities through Marketplace, regardless of student status.
 
Employers can add offers relating to multiple industries, from agriculture to life sciences, creative industries and public sector and security. Additionally, such opportunities can be listed across Scotland in up to 32 local authority areas (employers can select as little or as many as they wish). Depending on the activity being offered, employers can select which type of learning it will encourage amongst young people attending:
 

• Awareness: this is for opportunities designed to raise awareness and understanding of a particular issue, business/organisation or industry.

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• Experience: this covers activities which have been designed for young people to gain practical experience. 

 

• Action: ​this relates to activities designed to encourage rehearsal of learning in a real or practice environment.

 What Are You Waiting For? 
Have you explored the new Marketplace yet?  Post an offer to provide opportunities to young people near you. If you would like some advice before posting an opportunity, contact your local regional DYW group (find their contact details here).  Alternatively, download the Employers' Guide to Marketplace (below).
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Download Employers' Guide to Marketplace

Thank you for reading this article. If you enjoyed it, you can read more DYW-related news and blog posts here. Make sure you keep updated on all the ways in which we are Developing the Young Workforce by following us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. ​