On the 13^th of October ninety-five young women from each high school in Renfrewshire flooded into West College Scotland in Paisley to be inspired by women who have built successful careers in the Construction and STEM Industry (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

The event was supported by Renfrewshire Council, British Gas, Clark Contracts, the NHS and Sweco, who all have challenges in recruiting female apprentices into traditionally male dominated roles.  Not only did the young women get the chance to speak to the employers about their careers but also about future opportunities within the company. In addition to this, participants got the chance to get their hands dirty and try some practical activities in renewables, painting and decorating, bricklaying and joinery.

Great fun was had by all in attendance and hopefully it made some steps towards addressing gender imbalance in the construction industries!

We are extremely excited to be organising STEM Fortnight in West Dunbartonshire between the 3rd and the 13th of October. We have been working with local employers to create a programme of activities for S3 pupils which are devised and hosted by the employers themselves. The aim of this is to provide pupils with the opportunity to learn more about the variety of career options that are available through STEM subjects and quiz senior management about the skills required to work in their industry. 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the employers who have devised the following engaging workshops for the young people of West Dunbartonshire:

• SKapade: Sound Production Masterclass
• Polaroid: The Design and Manufacture of Sunglass Lenses
• West College Scotland: Games Development
• The Golden Jubilee National Hospital: Inserting a Cardiac Pacemaker
• West College Scotland: Lemon Power
• The Army: Rocket Car
• European Circuits Ltd: Printed Circuit Boards and Assembly
• West Dunbartonshire Council: Call of (Procurement) Duty
• Haven Products: Laser Etching

If you would like to keep up to date with these activities then check out our Twitter and Facebook (@DYWWEST) and our Developing the Young Workforce West LinkedIn Company page!                                      

The DYW West team had the great pleasure of taking part in the Taste the Industry Hospitality Event organised by Tennent's Training Academy and Tree of Knowledge on the 20th of September at Linwood High School. This was a fantastic event that saw local hospitality employers take over the school for the day to allow them to run interactive workshops with the pupils.

At the start of the day, 10 of the 100 pupils involved expressed their passion to work within the hospitality industry, but by the end of the day this figure had risen to 90 out of 100. A tremendous example of employer-school partnerships and the developing the young workforce agenda in action!

The Recruit is a summer programme involving 35 young people who are chosen to compete in a number of business challenges with the aim of improving report writing, presentation, communication and team working skills. The programme culminates with a celebratory dinner which recognises the dedication shown from all of the participants throughout the summer with an opportunity for those involved to be awarded contracts with the employers involved in the challenges. Congratulations to all The Recruits from the entire team here at DYW West!