Showcase your industry. Inspire the next generation. Get involved in #STEMWest26!

There’s still time for employers to get involved in STEM West 2026, taking place on 16th & 17th November at West College Scotland, Clydebank Campus.

STEM West gives employers the opportunity to showcase their industry, connect with S2–S4 pupils and inspire the next generation of STEM talent.

We’re looking for employers to bring their industry to life through interactive hands on activities.

It’s a great opportunity to raise awareness of your sector and give young people a real insight into STEM careers.

Click here to register

You don’t need to attend both days. Joining us for one day would be fantastic!

Questions? Contact:
📧 jan.mcmahon@dywwest.co.uk

Could your business benefit from an apprentice?

The Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy Programme is open to private and third-sector employers, with a particular focus on supporting small and medium-sized businesses.

Find out more about the programme and how it could support your business:

Find out more about the Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy Programme

Alternatively, email wagesubsidyprogramme@inverclyde.gov.uk for further information.

Recently, Scottish Leather Group welcomed pupils from Gryffe High School, St Benedict’s High School and Mary Russell School for talks and tours at their site in Bridge of Weir.

These experiences give young people a valuable insight into the workplace, helping them discover different career pathways and understand the opportunities available within local businesses.

A massive thank you to Rhona and the team at Scottish Leather Group for providing another fantastic experience for our young people and continuing to support the next generation of talent. 

Looking to strengthen your future workforce while making a positive impact on young people?

The DYW Pledge gives employers the opportunity to create meaningful connections with young people through activities such as work experience, apprenticeships, mentoring, industry talks and more!

Benefits of signing the pledge:

✅️ Gain new ideas and insight from a generationally diverse team
✅️ Help with recruitment, retention and succession planning
✅️ Develop and motivate existing staff
✅️ Raise awareness of your industry and organisation

Whatever the size of your organisation, we can support you every step of the way.

Find out more and sign the DYW Pledge today

#NoWrongPath is back for 2026!

From 3rd-7th August, we’ll be sharing real career journeys to inspire young people across Scotland.

Get involved and help show there’s no single route to success.
 

What a fantastic day celebrating the Year 3 graduation of DXC Technology's Digital Futures Academy! 

Pupils took part in an exciting Emerging Technology session focused on AI, gaining hands on experience with chatbot and app building, virtual reality, prompt engineering, an F1 racing simulator and an interactive AI quiz.

The celebrations also included the presentation of Year 3 certificates, alongside 11 awards recognising outstanding achievement and commitment throughout the programme.

Jim Hannigan MBA CEng FIMMM FWCS, DYW West Chair and Elma Murray CBE, Deputy Chair of the DYW Employers Forum, were delighted to present the Programme Engagement Award.

Thank you to DXC United Kingdom & Ireland for delivering another year of fun, engaging and inspiring experiences that help young people explore the exciting world of digital careers.

Congratulations to all the pupils who graduated from Year 3!
 

Clydebank High School and St Peter the Apostle recently had the fantastic opportunity to take part in a talk and tour with CCG.

Pupils were given a guided tour of one of their sites and had the chance to get involved in hands on activities, offering a valuable insight into the construction industry.

It was a great opportunity for young people to explore the world of work and gain first hand experience of a live working environment.

Thank you to CCG for hosting our young people and providing such an engaging and inspiring experience.

This month’s Employer Spotlight is Fleming Construction, nominated by Kirstene Maclennan from Park Mains High School.

Fleming Construction has built a strong partnership with the school, providing work placements and supporting young people’s learning and development. Through this partnership, funding was secured to create a mobile construction hub, giving pupils the opportunity to practise trade skills and build experience for future careers.

This partnership highlights the positive impact employer engagement can have on young people’s futures.

Click here to read more

Our flagship STEM West event will return on the 16th & 17th November 2026 at West College Scotland, Clydebank campus.

The aim of the event is to inspire young people to choose STEM subjects at school and give employers the chance to showcase their company or industry. Last year, we welcomed over 800 pupils from four of our local authorities (West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, and Inverclyde) along with more than 50 exhibitors!

If you are an employer interested in showcasing your company and can bring along something interactive or hands on for S2–S4 pupils to engage with over the two days, then we’d love to hear from you. Even if you can only attend one of the days, it would be great to have you involved!

Interested in showcasing at STEM West 2026? Please click here to complete the form

Remember, this isn’t your usual careers event – we’re looking for something hands on and engaging to capture young people’s interest.

If you have any questions, please email:
clarke.speirs@dywwest.co.uk or jan.mcmahon@dywwest.co.uk

Another successful few weeks for the GROW programme, with engaging sessions delivered by a fantastic range of employers.

Host employers and participating schools included:

DXC – Linwood High School
KPMG – Knightswood Secondary School
Taylor Wimpey West – STPA
Archaelogy Scotland – Inverclyde Academy
AC Whyte – St Lukes High School & STPA
Howden – Inverclyde Academy & St Lukes High School
Cloch Housing – St Columbas High School
McTaggart Construction – Linwood High School
Elderpark Housing – Knightswood Secondary School

Thank you to all participating schools and employers for your continued support and commitment.