One of Scotland’s largest regional employability programmes has been officially launched following a £1 million skills investment by JPMorganChase.

Glasgow Regional Opportunities for Work (GROW) will be delivered by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce in partnership with DYW ( Developing the Young Workforce ) Glasgow, DYW LED and DYW West. It will support over 700 young people, delivering over 40,000 hours of work experience through co-ordinated site visits across the Glasgow City Region. The GROW project will seek to engage with 250 employers across the digital technology sector, renewable energy, housing, finance, hospitality, creative industries and health, all vital to Glasgow’s growing economy.

GROW is a bespoke devolved regional skills programme, which is business led and reflects the skills gaps and opportunities which are most appropriate to Glasgow’s economy. The programme aims to increase the career readiness of young people from lower socio-economic background through multiple exposure to, and engagement with, employers to help them make informed decisions about their future.

The £1 million support is part of JPMorganChase’s broader £40 million UK business and philanthropic commitment to drive inclusive economic growth, aiming to transform access to work experience, for those furthest from the labour market.

JPMorganChase support for GROW follows its partnership with the Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC), the national body for careers education in England, focused on supporting young people facing barriers to progression to make informed decisions about careers, build employability skills, and remain in education or training.  GROW serves as one of JPMorganChase’s flagship skills initiatives in Scotland and will work to connect secondary students from low income and disadvantaged backgrounds to work experience to develop their work-readiness skills.

The program builds on findings and recommendations from the OECD report “Future-Proofing the Skills System in the Glasgow City Region”, supported by JPMorganChase, to strengthen the school to work transition for young people. GROW seeks to help close these gaps and increase the career readiness of young people from areas of higher deprivation.

Alison McRae, Senior Director at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of Glasgow’s Employment and Skills Board said: “This is a defining moment for Glasgow City region’s future workforce and a great example of devolved regional skills funding in action.

“GROW will specifically target our hardest to reach communities, delivering a two-year programme with 13 points of engagement to inspire, prepare and connect young people with business opportunities.

“It is a hugely ambitious initiative that exemplifies Glasgow’s forward-thinking approach and unwavering commitment to building a capable, driven and inclusive workforce.”

Gillian McLennan, Managing Director Leading Capital Management Technology, JPMorganChase UK said: “We are investing in skills and training to help young people access greater career opportunities, because we think engaged labour force participation is a critical element of the strong economy that benefits Scottish businesses.

“Our continued investments will support the UK’s increased focus on boosting skills and pathways to quality careers.”

For more info/to get involved in GROW please visit www.dywwest.co.uk/grow 

MCR Pathways is calling on volunteers from all backgrounds to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people across East Renfrewshire. By giving just one hour a week, mentors can help build confidence, raise aspirations, and create lasting change for a young person in their local community.

Volunteer mentors are needed in the following schools: Barrhead High School, Eastwood High School, Mearns Castle High School, St Luke’s High School, St Ninian’s High School, Williamwood High School, and Woodfarm High School.

Anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to join one of MCR Pathways’ weekly information sessions, or visit their website to explore the role and use the school locator to see where mentoring is available.

If your organisation would be interested in hosting an information session for your team, please contact Laura.mckechnie@mcrpathways.org who will be happy to arrange this.

You can also view further information by downloading the information document below

Another fantastic two days of STEM West are officially complete, and what an event it’s been!

We were blown away by the level of creativity, enthusiasm, and commitment shown by this year’s exhibitors. With more than 800 pupils attending from across our four local authority areas, over 50 employers delivered an incredible range of hands-on activities and interactive experiences (with the occasional freebie).

From 3D-printed guitars and AR headsets to LEGO builds and robotics, our young people had the chance to explore future careers in the most engaging way possible.

A huge thank you to every employer who invested their time, energy, and passion into making STEM West 2025 such a success. Your efforts make a real difference in inspiring the next generation of talent.
 

With only a few weeks to go, we're delighted to share that STEM West 25 is now at full capacity!

We have a fantastic line-up of employers ready to engage with young people and showcase their industries through hands on STEM activities.

A huge thank you to all the fantastic employers who have signed up, we can’t wait to welcome you!

This months DXC Digital Futures Academy introduced students to the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can be used to protect endangered animals from poachers.

Using Google’s machine learning tools, pupils worked in teams to build and train their own AI models, racing against the clock to detect virtual wildlife crimes.

The session showcased how technology can be a force for good, inspiring young people to explore real world applications of AI while developing teamwork, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Thank you to all of the DXC staff for hosting this session!

This month, 60 pupils from secondary schools across West Dunbartonshire took part in Chefs Day at West College Scotland, with an exciting Travel & Tourism twist.

Students had the opportunity to experience:
✅Professional chocolate making demonstrations
✅Flavourful curry masterclasses
✅Hands on barista training
✅A cabin crew experience aboard “West Airways”

A huge thank you to the dedicated staff at West College Scotland for creating such an engaging and inspiring day for our young people. Opportunities like this give students a real taste of future career pathways in hospitality and travel.

A huge thank you to Scottish Leather Group for hosting site tours at their Bridge of Weir facility for 7 schools over 4 days as part of Renfrewshire Employability Month.

A special shout-out to Mark Cowan and Rhona Ferris for giving so much of their time and helping make this happen.

The schools selected pupils with an interest in STEM and manufacturing, and feedback from the tours was 100% positive.

Another big thank you to Emma Stockan from the Renfrewshire Council Education Team for all the logistical support.

If you’d like to get involved with DYW West, get in touch by emailing info@dywwest.co.uk

Are you looking to engage with young people but aren’t sure where to start?

DYW is offering a free online workshop on 26th November, from 10am–12pm designed to support individuals looking to engage with young people in schools, colleges, or the workplace.

During the workshop you will:

• Learn top tips for planning and delivering activities

• Boost your confidence in engaging with young people

• Make a real difference in their career journeys

This is the perfect opportunity to gain hands on guidance to help you get started.

Click here for more information and to sign up

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Whether you’re planning your next steps or just curious about interesting career paths, our TikTok channel has something for everyone.

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Join us at West College Scotland, Clydebank Campus for STEM West 25 on 17th–18th November, offering S2–S4 pupils two action-packed days of hands-on STEM activities.

This event provides an excellent opportunity for employers to showcase what their business does, spark curiosity and inspire young minds. It's  also a chance to promote career pathways in your industry and connect with the next generation of talent.

Spaces for participating employers are already more than half full, so interested organisations are encouraged to register as soon as possible to secure their place.

To register, please visit https://buff.ly/gI8x5px

If you have issues registering or would like to know more please contact info@dywwest.co.uk

#DYWWest #STEMWest25 #STEMCareers