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

We're on TikTok!

We’re excited to bring you behind the scenes insights into real jobs, day in the life stories of apprentices and industry professionals and career tips.

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

Follow us on TikTok to explore all our content: https://buff.ly/j4ZBX9N

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

Paisley Grammar School’s Modern Languages Department is hosting their Modern Languages Careers Event on 10th November.

They’re on the lookout for a wide variety of stallholders to showcase how languages are used across different careers and industries.

What does a stallholder do?
As a stallholder, you’ll be asked to bring along some display material about your career and chat with pupils as they explore the event.

If you (or someone you know) use languages in your work, or your company has international links, this is a fantastic opportunity to inspire the next generation.

If you’re interested in being a stallholder, please contact: gw07hopelouise@glow.sch.uk

You can help spread the word about Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) and be a champion for young people in Scotland.

By pledging your support, you’ll join a growing network of businesses making a real difference in the lives of young people, while discovering how it can benefit your organisation.

Support young people to find their potential and start their journey to success by offering fair work and promoting inclusivity. Ready to make an impact?

Click here to pledge your support today.

Following the retirement of Liz Connolly FRSE as Principal & Chief Executive of West College Scotland, who in her time gave great support on the Board of DYW West from 2018, we are delighted to share that Anne Campbell, who has recently been appointed as the new Principal & Chief Executive, has joined the board.

Anne commented “I am delighted to be joining the DYW West Board. DYW West, through its extensive network of employers, provides our young people with inspirational opportunities and experiences. It is a vital part of our skills system, and I am proud to be able to contribute to its strategic direction”.

Jim Hannigan, COO at National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and chair of DYW West said “West College Scotland has been an outstanding host for DYW West since January 2016 and we are thrilled that Anne has joined the board, building on the great support Liz contributed over many years. Myself, our fellow board members and the DYW West team led by Bob Davidson look forward to working with Anne.”

Diodes Incorporated is currently recruiting for two exciting apprenticeship roles at their Greenock site:

• Equipment Engineering Apprentice

• Quality Engineering Apprentice

These positions offer a valuable opportunity for individuals interested in starting a career in engineering while gaining hands-on experience within a global semiconductor company.

Applicants are invited to submit their CV and a covering letter to gfabrecruitment@diodes.com 

Download the job specifications below

European Circuits recently welcomed a new team member, James Wallace, who has joined their Assembly Department shortly after completing his exams at Our Lady & St Patrick’s High School.

This is a great example of a local employer investing in the future workforce by providing meaningful employment opportunities for young people in the community. By supporting school leavers like James, European Circuits continues to demonstrate its commitment to developing the young workforce and encouraging local talent to thrive within their sector.

Congratulations to James on his new role!

This week, our team delivered STEM boxes to all primary schools in Inverclyde as part of Inverclyde STEM Festival, kindly supplied by Thermo Fisher!

These boxes were packed with fun, hands-on STEM activities to inspire young learners.

A big thank you to Sheena at Thermo Fisher for arranging this fantastic resource once again!

Our flagship STEM West event will return on the 17th & 18th November 2025 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!

If you’re interested in showcasing at STEM West 2025, please click here to complete the attendance 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 taylor.mcateer@dywwest.co.uk

Thanks!