Youth in spotlight for Highland Business Week
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TELLING employers about the benefits of hiring younger people is among the aims of the fourth annual Highland Business Week.
The positives of getting involved with modern and foundation apprenticeships, funding schemes and internships will be promoted by the week’s main backer, the Inverness and central Highland branch of Developing the Young Workforce (DYW).
The regional DYW group – which is made up of private and public employers, plus education and career specialists – is hosted by the week’s organiser Inverness Chamber of Commerce. It is part of the Scottish Government’s youth employment strategy, aimed at improving career and learning opportunities for young people.
News of the sponsorship agreement came as judges for the Highland Business Awards – one of the anchor events of the week – deliberated over a competitive array of entries for various regional and local titles.
The awards – to be staged at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on September 30 – is the climax of the week that will run from September 26-30.
Andy Maxtone, programme manager for the regional DYW group, said: "Highland Business Week is well established in our local business calendar and provides an excellent platform to showcase and raise awareness for the DYW programme to local businesses who share a passion for growth in our local economy.
"It is recognised that many employers and parents already have long-standing relationships with education. The DYW regional group wants to support even more employers and parents to get involved and take the opportunity to invest in their own succession planning, working with schools to inspire and create strong career awareness for our young people."
Representatives of the DYW regional group will be at every event during the week to allow them to connect with as many businesses as possible.
They want to highlight their partnerships with Skills Development Scotland, Highland Council and Inverness College UHI, while also promoting diversity in the workplace.
Another aim is to help build stronger relationships between businesses and schools to support with work placements, mentoring, mock interviews, teacher experience, career fairs and awareness to support pupils with subject choices and career options.
Scottish Provincial Press, publishers of the North Star, is the media partner for the week.
• For more information, visit: www.inverness-chamber.co.uk
