A LAUNCH EVENT has been held to ensure that momentum behind the drive to Develop the Young Workforce (DYW) in Moray continues to gather pace.
‘Our Moray’ was held at the Alexander Graham Bell Centre to address the economic climate in the region with invited guest speakers leading the discussion on young engagement in business.
Speakers included Willie Wood from Johnstons of Elgin, Alastair Nicolson from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the director of DYW Moray, Sarah Medcraf.
Following the launch Sarah said: “We aim to provide a link between education and industry to help business, schools, and colleges work together to give young people the skills they need.
“‘Our Moray’ had a fantastic turnout and many employers were keen to get on board. It was also a great opportunity for DYW to hear the thoughts from local industry, particularly small business owners.
“Ninety-nine percent of businesses are small or medium enterprises (SME), and sustainability is a very real issue to these employers. This event showed them that DYW Moray is here to help secure the future workforce and economy.
“I think that we will be pushing against open doors now, and it’s really encouraging to see such enthusiasm already embedded in schools, colleges, and business.”
DYW Moray has vowed to become the vital link between business and education to make engaging with young people easier for employers.
Sarah added: “DYW Moray is keen to help businesses engage with young people – plain and simple. We want industry and education to work together, and DYW can be a point of contact between both to make a joint approach easier.
“Around 75% of young people in Moray intend to leave the region after school, and we all need to start investing in home-grown talent to show our young people the opportunities on their doorstep.
“Businesses of all sizes and sectors can benefit from youth engagement. A skilled workforce leads to a stronger economy, and a strong economy can lead to business sustainability.
“We hope that as a result of this event, more employers will feel more inclined to engage with education providers through the help of DYW.”
Over 70 people from across various sectors were in attendance including educators and employers, and DYW Moray has high hopes for what comes next.
To find out more about DYW Moray, visit www.moraychamber.co.uk
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