DYW comment: employer engagement and youth unemployment in Scotland

Developing the Young Workforce highlights the role of employer engagement in tackling youth unemployment

Developing the Young Workforce highlights the role of employer engagement in tackling youth unemployment

Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) has welcomed renewed focus on youth unemployment, highlighting not only the critical role that sustained employer engagement and meaningful work based experiences play in supporting young people to prepare for, and progress into, employment, but also the wider impact unemployment can have on young people, including on mental health and wellbeing. DYW believes fair and secure work is part of the solution to these wider challenges.

DYW brings together employers, education and partners across Scotland to help young people develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to make informed choices about their futures and to succeed in the world of work. Data from the DYW Employers Forum for the previous year shows across Scotland’s 20 DYW Regional Groups, DYW has worked with over 6,500 employers, delivering over 16,000 employer‑led activities, which have seen more than 450,000 attendances by young people – creating meaningful, structured opportunities to engage with the world of work. The voluntary nature of that employer engagement alone represented an economic value of over £20 million in the last year.

Evidence from delivery

DYW’s experience on the ground consistently shows that structured, work‑based activity helps reduce barriers for both young people and employers. Evidence from national and regional programmes demonstrates that opportunities such as work tasters, mentoring, and employer‑led projects increase young people’s understanding of the workplace, build confidence and develop practical and transferable skills.

One example is DYW’s CITB‑funded Construction Work Tasters programme, delivered over three years across Scotland. Through short, structured experiences designed to be manageable for employers and meaningful for young people, the programme supported nearly 3,000 young people to gain first‑hand insight into careers in construction. Evaluation data shows that participants reported improved awareness of the sector, increased confidence and a better understanding of the skills required for work, regardless of whether they had previously considered construction as a career option.

This approach also benefits employers by reducing the perceived risk of engagement, allowing them to introduce young people to their workplace in a supported and proportionate way, and helping to build future talent pipelines.

Sandy Begbie CBE, Chair of the DYW Employers Forum and Chief Executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE), said:

“Employers across Scotland are committed to playing an active role in supporting young people into work. Through Developing the Young Workforce, employers are already working with schools and partners to provide meaningful, practical experiences that help young people build confidence, develop skills and make informed decisions about their future. What matters most is continuing to focus on what works – supporting both young people and employers to engage in ways that are sustainable and effective.”

Employer commitment across Scotland

Employers across Scotland continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting young people, even in a challenging labour market. Through DYW, employers of all sizes and sectors are contributing time, expertise and opportunities – from careers talks and mentoring through to work‑based learning, apprenticeships and entry‑level roles.

This collective effort reflects a shared understanding that early, positive exposure to the world of work is essential in helping young people navigate key transition points, particularly from education into employment, training or further learning.

Scotland is well placed to build on what works

Scotland has established a strong infrastructure for employer engagement in education through Developing the Young Workforce. With regional groups embedded in local labour markets and connected nationally, DYW is able to respond to local needs while contributing to shared national priorities.

DYW believes the challenge now is to protect, strengthen and scale approaches that are proven to work – ensuring young people continue to access meaningful opportunities, and employers continue to be supported to engage in ways that are effective and sustainable.

As conversations continue at a national level about youth employment, DYW will remain focused on sharing evidence from practice, supporting employers to play their part, and working collaboratively with partners to help young people develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed.