January 2020 Update

On the 16th of January, Fraser from our team visited The Start-Up Drinks Lab in Port Glasgow for a tour of their premises as part of Inverclyde Chamber's A Look Into... series! Craig and Hannah began by talking us through their company's foundations and their backgrounds and explained how they got to where they are today. They then treated us to a tour of their factory and what it's like when they're producing one of their signature products Sparklingly Sober!

For more information on the A Look Into... series visit: https://inverclydechamber.co.uk/events

On the 28th of the Month, Dennie & Fraser attended a tour around the J&D Pierce factory in Glengarnock with pupils from Linwood High School.
Our thanks to Alex and Darren who showed us around the factory of Scotland's foremost structural steelwork contractor. They gave us a great insight in to every aspect of the business as well as showing us some of the projects they've undertaken, from train stations to football stadiums!

We're delighted to be involved with a number of awards this year at various business awards dinners.
We're sponsoring the Developing the Young Workforce Award with West College Scotland for the East Renfrewshire Business Awards, entries are now open for nominations and for more information click here!
We're also sponsoring the Employer of the Year award at the Working4Business awards in West Dunbartonshire this year and we'd also like to extend a massive thank you to Vital Energi for sponsoring the Developing the Young Workforce Award! For more information on the Working4Business awards click here.

On the 30th of January, Jan and Fraser from the team attended the college's Clydebank Campus to support a Senior Phase & Foundation Apprentice info evening, aimed at pupils from S4-6 from West Dunbartonshire. Various departments from the college were represented at the event as well as other organisations like Working4U from West Dunbartonshire Council!

West College Scotland has been shortlisted in the TES FE awards 2020 in the Best teaching and learning initiative category for their work with Greenpower supported by DYW West.
The winner is announced on the 20^th March at a prestigious awards ceremony in London https://www.tes.com/news/tes-fe-awards-2020-shortlist-announced

DYW West are supporting all 6 Greenpower teams at the college this year. (where school pupils learn the motor vehicle skills to build and race an electric powered race kart). The main Scottish race is at East Fortune end of March  – and all teams are seeking donations / sponsorship from organisations in our region to help them get to the race. If you can help please get in touch at info@dywwest.co.uk!

West College Scotland is hosting a free business breakfast 6^th Feb at the Paisley Campus on “Industry & Management 4.0 - what does that mean for you?” To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/industry-and-management-40-business-breakfast-tickets-85491416127

We are helping West College Scotland source employer placements for Foundation Apprenticeship students. Placements are typically a day a week during school term in 6th year. Areas we need more employers are:
 
Engineering: Inverclyde – 6 | West Dunbartonshire – 10 | East Renfrewshire – 4 | Renfrewshire - 7
Creative & Digital Media (doesn't need to be a creative, can be a marketing dept in a business) - West Dunbartonshire – 4 | East Renfrewshire – 3 | Renfrewshire – 4 |
 
•  Same level as a Higher
• Learning about the industry and doing real work that they can evidence against the framework for their qualification
• Can act as a long interview – could lead to an employer offering them a job as a MA or Graduate Apprentice
• Employer does not need to pay during the FA placement
 
Typically start after the summer (but can be earlier) – we're being asked to start conversations with industry now.
Here is a video link telling employers more about FA’s > https://lnkd.in/d73MDqU

If, like us, you can support a FA placement - please get in touch at info@dywwest.co.uk

The Inverclyde Apprenticeship Careers Fair returns for 2020 on the 3rd of March! Are you looking to recruit an apprentice? Come along and inspire the future workforce and showcase the apprenticeship opportunities your business has to offer. Email info@dywwest.co.uk if interested!

#ScotAppWeek20 takes place from the 2nd-6th of March this year. DYW West are supporting Scottish Apprenticeship Week by running tours of some of the countries biggest employers like Rolls-Royce, British Airways & NHS as well as supporting the Inverclyde Apprenticeship Careers Fair. As well as all this, we have some surprises planned so keep an eye on our social media! You can get involved in Scottish Apprenticeship Week simply by promoting it on social media, using the hashtags #ScotAppWeek20 and #TalentWithoutLimits!

Reminder to our E-News readers that we post lots of apprenticeship opportunities across our social media channels. So please make sure you follow us, our links are at the bottom of this newsletter.

Mailing Address:
Developing the Young Workforce West RE114,
West College Scotland,
Renfrew Road,
Paisley
PA3 4DR

Telephone: 0141 581 2352
Email: info@dywwest.co.uk