What is the DYW Pledge?

The DYW Pledge is a commitment from employers to support Scotland's young people to succeed in the world of work. As employers and partners, you play a vital role in creating opportunities for young people as they prepare for and take their first steps into the world of work.
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We’re asking you to pledge support in ways that not only benefit the young people of Scotland but benefit your business too. You can build a workforce with the right skills and experience now and in the future. 

Benefits to Your Organisation

There are lots of benefits in pledging your support to the DYW Pledge, including: 

• Gaining new ideas and insight from a generationally diverse team 
• Help with recruitment, retention and succession planning 
• Developing and motivating existing staff 
• Raising awareness of your industry and organisation ​​

What's Involved?

Your pledge is built around areas of support and creating opportunities for young people. Use the arrows or swipe to find out how you can get involved:

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  Prepare Young People for the World of Work

  Could you inspire pupils, college students and young people looking for work to gain the skills they need for the workplace and help all young people achieve their potential? Some young people face more barriers to getting and keeping a job, and opportunities such as mock interviews, industry insights, awareness sessions, mentoring, work placements and Foundation Apprenticeships can offer vital experience. 

  

  Benefits to your business or organisation: 

  • Earlier access to future talent 
  • Opportunity to develop and motivate your existing staff 
  • Increased awareness of your industry and organisation 
  • Meeting your corporate social responsibility​
  • Supporting the curriculum to be industry relevant​ 
  • Support and develop your diversity and inclusion strategy 
  • Improved staff engagement and retention 
  • Competitive advantage within your industry 
  • Positive workplace culture​​ 
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  Invest in a Skilled Workforce

  Creating jobs through local job creation programmes and providing work-based learning and training for young people is a great way to develop your business. Upskilling your workforce is an investment in the future. You could consider offering a Modern Apprenticeship or Graduate Apprenticeship. This can ensure you have people in place, learning the skills you need. ​ ​

  

  Benefits to your business or organisation:

  • A skilled workforce for now and in the future 
  • Unlocked potential 
  • Increased loyalty 
  • Fewer skills gaps 
  • Train and mould new talent 
  • Support succession planning 
  • Gain new ideas and insight from a generationally diverse team 
  • Improve diverse practices and brand awareness 
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  Create an inclusive and fair workplace

  Fair work is about creating meaningful, sustainable jobs and opportunities. Employers should support these opportunities with training packages. Equality, inclusion and working to end discrimination are central to the DYW Pledge. You could make sure you pay the Living Wage, recognise trade unions and address the gender pay gap. ​

  Benefits to your business or organisation: 

  • Help with recruitment, retention and succession planning 
  • Creating a workforce who feel valued 
  • Becoming an employer of choice ​​
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  Be a champion for DYW

  Your pledge is valued by young people and being a champion for them can be more than creating opportunities. Sharing your experiences and advocating on behalf of DYW helps increase pledges and the opportunities for young people. Can you help us share your experiences and get others involved?  ​

  Benefits to your business or organisation: 

  • Becoming an employer of choice 
  • Leading from the front on what matters in our economy and communities  
  • Increased awareness of your industry and organisation 

How to Pledge

It’s easy to tell us and young people that you pledge your support. You can chat with one of our DYW Regional groups or complete the short pledge form letting us know and we’ll be in touch.
 
Once you pledge your support you are part of our network of pledge employers and partners and there is no need to renew on a yearly basis.  
 
You will receive a small DYW Pledge toolkit to help you deliver and share your pledge and the DYW Regional teams are on hand to offer guidance and advice too. 

Pledge Now

Have an Opportunity?

Jobs for Young People

Advertise jobs through one of the following routes - DWP/Job Centre Plus, Goodmoves, My Job Scotland, Apprenticeships.Scot, or NHS Jobs - to appear on My World of Work, where thousands of young people will be able to apply.

Work Inspiration & Preparation

Could you inspire and prepare young people for the world of work through offering class talks, workplace visits, mentoring, employability sessions, work experience and more? Contact your local DYW Regional Group to get started.

Financial Wellbeing Toolkit

Finances can act as a barrier to employment for young people, especially with the current cost of living crisis. Download our Financial Wellbeing Toolkit for guidance on how to support the recruitment and retention  of young people within your business. 

Download the Financial Wellbeing Toolkit

See Which Other Organisations Have Pledged

This document lists employers and partners that have pledged their support to Developing the Young Workforce and have provided consent for DYW to promote their Pledge.

Pledge List

Pledge Now

Are you ready to take the next step? Benefit Scotland's young people and your organisation by pledging to support Developing the Young Workforce.

Pledge Now