What DYW (Developing the Young Workforce) means in Early Years, Primary and Secondary.
As parents/carers you have a key role in supporting your child to explore their future and to develop the skills and qualifications needed to become part of the Young Workforce. The job market and skills required are always changing as are the courses that schools offer. Up to date information on the modern and future workplace is the key to supporting young people and the links below aim to point you to some of the most accessible and informative sources. If in doubt or requiring more information, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Guidance teacher.
If your child is in nursery or primary the need for this information may seem a long way off however Developing the Young Workforce runs from 3-18 and young people will have experiences and learning that will inform and influence them throughout their school and wider lives. We know that early experiences influence young people’s future choices. You will be a key influencer and supporter for them as will family and friends.
How to support your child
As a young person moves through school the emphasis on developing the skills and qualifications for career paths increases. When a young person reaches secondary school, and particularly in S2 and S3, your child will need benefit from discussion and support from you, from school staff and from Skills Development Scotland staff (your school’s Careers Advisor). They will have to make decisions around school subjects that match their interests and career aspirations. They may need to keep options open when they are unsure. They will also need to consider the options available when they leave school and are taking that step towards further study, continued learning through apprenticeships or into appropriate employment options. These are often referred to as their Career Pathways.
Who can support you and your child?
The range of qualifications, the skills they develop and how they link to career pathways is developing all the time. Individual schools will give advice on what they offer and how these will benefit your child. Each young person is unique with their own needs and circumstances and All Aberdeenshire schools work to the Getting it Right for Every Child principles in their day-to-day learning and in supporting them around future decision-making.
Foundation Apprenticeships are a key part of Aberdeenshire’s DYW offer and blend vocational learning in a workplace with theory work in school or, sometimes, in college. The school delivery approach allows young people to continue in school along with other subjects and with the supports and relationships they are used to whilst also experiencing time in the workplace. Fuller details can be found in the links below.
ThingLinks
Children & Young People
Health & Social Care
Food & Drink Technologies
Scientific Technologies
Creative & Digital Media
IT: Cyber Security & Network Management
IT: Software Development
2 Year Courses
Where to get up to date information.
Videos
Websites
There can be an overwhelming amount of information and the following links have been selected to highlight key areas that will inform and support Parents and Carers.
- Find out about Jobs of the Future in Scotland at My Kids Career
- Support for parents and carers | My World of Work
- Career Education: A World of Possibilities
- Apprenticeships | Foundation Apprenticeships
- www.myworldofwork.co.uk/all-about-your-skills
- GIRFEC Aberdeenshire | Getting it Right for Every Child in Aberdeenshire – Getting it Right for Every Child in Aberdeenshire (girfec-aberdeenshire.org)
FA’s and further Education Pathways to University and College Links
Contact Information
School specific information on Developing the Young Workforce, pupil choice and Career Pathways:
Please contact your school using the normal channels and highlight any aspect of your query so that it can be directed to the person who is best placed to answer.
General Aberdeenshire Developing the Young Workforce Information:
Please contact Aberdeenshire’s Central DYW Team email: foundationapprenticeadmin@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
