Developing the Young Workforce Scotland's Youth Employment Strategy 2nd Annual Report 2015/2016

Foreword from Councillor Stephanie Primrose, COSLA Education, Children and Young People Spokesperson

I am delighted to present the second annual report on the Developing the Young Workforce ( DYW) programme.

As COSLA Spokesperson for Education, Children and Young People, I'm very pleased to see the progress being made by local government, Scottish Government and other key partners to implement DYW. This is a real testament to partnership working and the efforts of all involved to put young people and their futures at the heart of everything we do.

The DYW programme rests at the heart of local government with a wide diversity of council services coming together such as education, economic development, human resources and social work to take the programme forward. Local Authority politicians and staff are entirely supportive of the programme and we are making real progress at a local level - working with employers, colleges and other key partners.

We have seen the implementation of a number of successful local DYW related initiatives across the country such as the Scottish Education Award 2016 finalists Bonhill Primary School at West Dunbartonshire Council and Braeview Academy, Dundee City Council that provide enterprise and employability skills.

In my own local authority at East Ayrshire, the '2 + 3 programme' has supported young people to develop employability skills that has enabled them to progress into positive destinations as well as improve their motivation.

I'm also aware that a great deal of progress is being driven in local authority schools across the country with many schools establishing DYW champions as a dedicated staff resource. In addition, it has been pleasing this year that the first school pupils in Scotland completed Foundation Apprenticeships which is a very positive development.

I am clear that there is still much to be done if we are to truly transform the potential economic life of young people. There are a number of challenges and opportunities ahead such as the need to ensure that the Apprenticeship Levy positively contributes to the DYW Programme and that best practice from local authorities and other partners is captured and disseminated, given that in many instances success can be achieved by ensuring it is embedded locally.

Overall, the progress being made on the DYW Programme has been encouraging. As such, I look forward to the year ahead and the continued co-operation between local government, Scottish Government and our partners to build on our strong beginnings.

Councillor Stephanie Primrose, COSLA Education, Children and Young People Spokesperson

December 2016