DEVELOPING THE YOUNG WORKFORCE Scottish Government Initiative – Funding over 3 yrs Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce lead by Sir Ian Wood [ Dec. 2014] Dumfries and Galloway 8th region to access funds [22 in total] Managed under D&G Chamber of Commerce Identify and Build School Employer relations Build School, College and Employer links Giving Employers Reasons to Employ Youth Nurturing our young local workforce

Scottish Governments Aspiration Developing the Young Workforce – Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy (2014) sets out how the Scottish Government will implement the recommendations from the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce, with headline target to reduce youth unemployment by 40% by 2021:

D&G Secondary School Partnerships

DEVELOPING THE YOUNG WORKFORCE : TALENT ATTRACTION Youths transitioning straight from school to into Industry / workplace. Give prior insights. Support work experience, placements and visits Build Employer engagement and mentoring. Encourage Business’s to take on work experience and Modern Apprenticeships Mentor, mould, train and retain your own workforce

Education and The Timber and Forestry Industry in Dumfries & Galloway DYW identified there is a need to profile this Industry within Education, as its a leading economic driver for D&G. Schools are not engaged and relatively unaware of the diversity and careers available. SFTT South Scotland Regional Industry Cluster offers an opportunity to promote the opportunities of DYW to the main industry employers of the region. Scottish Forestry Timber Technologies (SFTT) Industry Leadership Group (ILG) Skills Action Plan : Priority Objective (Talent Attraction No. 5) As a sector we will engage with Scottish Government’s “Developing the Young Workforce” strategy through regional and national groups to raise the sectors profile and opportunities. A collaborative approach with key stakeholders. Buy-in from all parties as they recognise that access to Secondary schools will lead to an informed and innovative way of ‘selling’ this to our future workforce

The Current State of the Forestry Workforce   KEY CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY Ageing workforce across the Industry New areas of expertise and technology in Forestry and Timber Not attracting young people – perceived as ‘unsexy!’ Lack of clear pathways within the industry Barony College Forestry Faculty delivers up to National Certificate Only one University delivers a degree in Forestry [Inverness]

Planting and Harvesting Partners KEY PARTNERS: CONFOR [The National Forestry Confederation] SCOTTISH FORESTRY COMMISSION [Government/Public] SCOTTISH WOODLANDS [private management] OTHER PRIVATE WOODLAND HARVESTERS SCOTTISH FORESTRY AND TIMBER TECHNOLOGIES

HAULAGE , CONTRACTORS AND MANAFACTURERS

How Can Employers Get involved? Mentoring Work Based Learning and Placement CV’s and Interviews Work shadowing Modern Apprenticeships Work Inspiration Activities Internships Increased skills in evolving technology