Developing the Young Workforce, Tay Cities

17/06/2026

"It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be."

That's one of the biggest takeaways from our conversations with three Forfar Academy pupils after their mock interviews. 🎤

Like many young people, they went in feeling nervous and unsure of what to expect, but they came out feeling more confident, proud of themselves and with a real sense of achievement.

Mock interviews are a great way to build confidence, practise answering questions and prepare for future opportunities in a supportive environment.

A huge well done to all of the S3 pupils at Forfar Academy who took part and gave it their best. You should all be proud of yourselves! 👏

16/06/2026

What a fantastic day at Greenfield Academy! 👏

The Army spent the day with senior pupils, leading a range of fun and challenging activities designed to build teamwork, communication and leadership skills. From working together to solve problems to stepping up and leading their teams, the young people threw themselves into every challenge and did a brilliant job.

They also had the opportunity to hear about the wide variety of careers available in the Army and the different pathways that can help develop valuable skills for the future.

A huge thank you to Michael and the team for giving up their time to inspire and encourage Greenfield's senior pupils.

15/06/2026

A huge well done to all of the young people at Forfar Academy who took part in mock interviews, kicking off a week of interview practice across Angus. 👏

From answering tricky questions to building confidence and sharing their skills, everyone gave it their best and should be proud of themselves.

A big thank you to all of the employers who volunteered their time to interview our young people, offer valuable feedback and help them prepare for future opportunities. Your support makes a real difference 🌟

11/06/2026

We’re delighted to welcome .buccaneers as the latest organisation to join the DYW Pledge 👏

By joining the pledge, they're demonstrating a commitment to supporting young people as they explore and prepare for future careers. Their involvement will help young people build skills, grow in confidence and gain a better understanding of the opportunities available to them.

Thank you for your commitment to developing the workforce of tomorrow ⭐

10/06/2026

A big thank you to the Army for delivering a fantastic day of activities at Greenfield Academy focused on teamwork, communication and problem solving.

Pupils took part in a range of challenges throughout the day, from navigating a "minefield" using non verbal communication to tackling map reading and tyre challenges in their teams. They also had the chance to try carrying some of the equipment, giving them a taste of the physical demands involved.

It was great to see every group fully engaged, supporting one another and working together to overcome each challenge. The teamwork on display was brilliant and the pupils should be proud of how they approached every task. 💪👏

10/06/2026

09/06/2026

Volunteering opportunities with Barnardos in Perth and Kinross✨

08/06/2026

Greenfield Academy hosted the Build Your Futures event, giving pupils a brilliant opportunity to try their hand at traditional construction and heritage skills.

Organised by Dundee Historic Environment Trust and delivered in partnership with DYW Tay Cities, Development Scotland, United Trades of Dundee and Duffy Roofing, the event brought a range of practical experiences into the school.

Pupils had a go at slating, joinery, stonemasonry and even flying drones, learning more about the skills that sit behind construction and heritage work. It was great to see so many pupils getting involved and leaving with a new appreciation of traditional construction skills.

05/06/2026

🌟 Apprentice Awards 2026 – Nominations Now Open 🌟

The Apprentice Awards for Perth and Kinross 2026 are now open for nominations, celebrating the achievements of apprentices across the region and the impact of work-based learning on individuals, businesses and our local economy.

Delivered in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce Tay Cities, Perth and Kinross Council, Skills Development Scotland and UHI Perth, these awards recognise the dedication, ambition and success of apprentices at every level.

📣 We encourage our partners, employers and colleagues to submit nominations and help us celebrate outstanding achievement.

Award categories include:
⭐ Foundation Apprentice of the Year
⭐ Modern Apprentice (SCQF Level 5) of the Year
⭐ Modern Apprentice (SCQF Level 6+) of the Year
⭐ Graduate Apprentice of the Year
⭐ Apprentice Mentor of the Year
⭐ Apprentice Employer of the Year

Winners will be announced at a celebration event in September, before the national awards.

👉 Find out more and submit a nomination: https://zurl.co/YIy7S

Let’s recognise the individuals and organisations shaping the future workforce in Perth and Kinross.

04/06/2026

We're delighted to welcome Scottish Crannog Centre as the latest organisation to sign the DYW Pledge. 👏

The pledge formalises something the team has been doing for years, creating meaningful opportunities for young people across the region. From work experience and apprenticeships to supporting ASN learners, delivering rural skills activities and engaging with young people who may be at risk of missing out on opportunities, the Crannog Centre has made a real difference to many learners.

Some young people have even had the chance to contribute to the construction of the new crannog, gaining practical experience and developing heritage and green skills as part of the project.

Their pledge comes at a particularly exciting time, following the recent unveiling of the new replica Iron Age crannog on Loch Tay. The opening marks a major milestone for the organisation after the devastating fire in 2021 and celebrates the completion of a project that has brought together skilled craftspeople, apprentices and the wider community.

We were also delighted to see local Gaelic Medium Education primary pupils invited to take part in the opening celebrations. Being involved in such a significant event gave them a fantastic opportunity to experience how language skills can play an important role in a wide range of careers.

A huge thank you to the team at The Scottish Crannog Centre for their continued commitment to young people and for helping them explore their future, build confidence and develop skills that will stay with them for years to come. ⭐