Young people, educators and employers from across Argyll and Bute are set to come together for a major Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) conference at Mount Stuart, Isle of Bute, on Friday 26 June 2026.
The event, themed “A DYW Decade: Working together to create sustainable opportunities for young people in Argyll & Bute 2026–2036,” will showcase the power of partnership working in preparing young people for the world of work and shaping a thriving, inclusive local economy.
A key factor in the success of the project over the last five years has been the appointment of five DYW school coordinators. Since their introduction, the initiative is going from strength to strength with coordinators creating school-employer partnerships to help young people prepare for work.
The conference will bring together a wide range of speakers and contributors, including national organisations, local employers and young people themselves, highlighting the real impact of DYW activity across the region.
The Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) initiative is delivered by Argyll and Bute Council and coordinated by DYW Argyll and Bute. The programme connects local employers with education to boost employment opportunities and future career prospects for young people in the area.
Delegates attending the conference will hear from Education Scotland on the future of the Scottish curriculum, with a focus on skills and achievements, along with valuable employer insights from ScottishPower Renewables.
In the afternoon, attendees will take part in a series of interactive workshops exploring key issues including findings from the DYW Argyll and Bute Skills Survey, opportunities within Argyll’s growing blue economy through the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), labour market trends from Skills Development Scotland, and innovative approaches such as Planet Youth.
Councillor Kieron Green, Policy Lead for Education said:
“This conference rightly publicises the huge amount of work already underway across Argyll and Bute supporting success in our young people. The DYW partnership brings together schools and community partners with national agencies and local employers. By providing for meaningful, sustainable opportunities we help our young people develop the skills, confidence and ambition they need for the future.
As we look ahead to the next decade, our shared commitment is to build on this strong foundation and ensure every young person, no matter where they live in our region, can access the pathways and support they deserve.”
Jane Macleod, DYW Board Chair said:
“This conference is a great opportunity to celebrate ten years of DYW and the positive impact that strong partnerships between education and employers have had on young people across Argyll and Bute. As we look ahead to the next decade, we want to build on that success and continue creating sustainable opportunities that help every young person develop the skills, confidence and experiences they need to thrive.”
The DYW Argyll and Bute Conference reflects a shared ambition to continue strengthening links between education and industry, ensuring that young people are equipped with the skills and experiences needed to thrive in a changing economy.
