New initiative to boost youth employment calls on West Lothian businesses for support

LIVINGSTON, Scotland - Sept. 15, 2016 - PRLog -- Duncan Whitehead, Ernst & Young's head of economic advisory in Scotland, will launch this latest drive by the Chamber to support young people in the area into employment when he addresses the county's business leaders at The Economic Conference 2016 to be held at the Howden Park Centre on 21st September.  The conference will start at 16.30 hours and registration is free.

Linda Scott, CEO of West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, said:

"We are encouraging all businesses across West Lothian to attend this important event, not just for the networking it will offer. Delegates will learn about the advantages to their business of collaborating with education providers in the region to ensure young people emerge from schools and colleges 'work ready'.'

"Very small businesses and family owned enterprises have just as much to contribute as large employers when it comes to ensuring tomorrow's workforce will have skills that are relevant to the economy we want to create. Apprenticeships are part of the story, but educators need strong links with businesses to deliver the skills needed and to prepare our young people for the world of work. We will announce our new initiative that aims to forge strong and sustainable links between education and business for the wellbeing of the economy and the young people who will determine its future."

The Chamber's proposal for the DYW programme was developed in partnership with key local agencies such as West Lothian Council and seeks to build on West Lothian's existing reputation for partnership working. Under their initiative the Chamber aims to develop an employer and education hub supported by technology which will provide an opportunity for employers to post opportunities for young people such as jobs, apprenticeships and placements.

The portal will also be a forum for schools and educators to post what they want in terms of support from business, for example, skills sessions, industry insight presentations, mock interviews, work tasters or competitions to get kids engaged in industry.

Rodney Ayre, Senior Department Manager of Mitsubishi Electric who chairs the DYW West Lothian board said:

"Relationships between business and education are more important now than ever. The responsibility of forging these links does not just lie with education leaders, it is up to us, as employers, to be more proactive in linking with the schools, colleges and Universities that are training the young people we will need for our businesses to flourish in the future. This is an excellent initiative that has the potential to transform how we do that in West Lothian and I would urge all businesses to get involved."


Mhairi Harrington, OBE, Principal and CE of West Lothian College, said:

"We know that for a strong and successful economy it has never been more important to ensure that our young people are well prepared and highly skilled for the world of work.

Whilst we have some examples of great education and business links in West Lothian, this initiative aims to significantly increase the volume and breadth of these connections to really support young people for work readiness whether straight from school, college or through an apprenticeship.

I look forward to working with all our partners to support this important capacity building."

For more information and to book a place at the conference visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/economic-conference-ticket...