Exploring Future Options: Dundee High School Careers Fair
Exploring Future Options: Dundee High School Careers Fair
On Friday, 4th October, we partnered with the High School of Dundee to host an exciting Careers Fair at Trinity Hall. The event was tailored for 4th, 5th, and 6th-year pupils, offering them an invaluable opportunity to explore a variety of career pathways and education options.
The event was a tremendous success, with pupils eager to engage with representatives from a range of employers, organisations, colleges, and universities. From exploring higher education options to understanding vocational routes they had the chance to speak directly to experts, gaining valuable knowledge and guidance for their next steps.
The Careers Fair is a vital part of our mission at DYW Tay Cities to connect young people with the opportunities that will shape their future. By providing events like this, we aim to empower pupils with the information they need to make informed decisions about their careers, whether they are considering further education, an apprenticeship, or diving directly into the workforce.
Hope the Whale Visits Morgan Academy: A Day of Discovery and Conservation
Hope the Whale Visits Morgan Academy: A Day of Discovery and Conservation
Morgan Academy students had a whale of a time—literally! A life-size inflatable humpback whale named Hope made her way to the school, bringing with her an unforgettable day of exploration and environmental learning. This unique visit was organized by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) charity, who travelled all the way from Moray to inspire and educate pupils about marine conservation and the vital role we play in protecting our oceans.
At 13.5 meters long and 8.5 meters wide, Hope is as close to a real humpback whale as it gets, both in size and appearance. Students were thrilled to go inside the whale, where they had the chance to learn about humpback anatomy, breathing, and feeding behaviours. The immersive experience allowed them to see first-hand the internal structures of a whale, creating a sense of wonder about these magnificent creatures.
The visit also included three workshops, each highlighting different aspects of marine life and conservation. Joined by special guests from Discovery Point and a zoology student from the University of Glasgow, students explored the history, diet, and daily life of a whale. The day was rounded out with crucial discussions about the pressing issue of plastic pollution and how it impacts ocean ecosystems.
From hands-on activities to eye-opening conversations, students left with a renewed understanding of the importance of sustainable practices and the small actions they can take to protect our planet’s oceans. Hope the Whale’s visit was an inspiring reminder of the power of education in fostering a more sustainable future.
Natalia Greszta: Inspiring the next generation
Natalia Greszta: Inspiring the next generation
Inspiring the Next Generation: Natalia Greszta’s Journey to Business Administrator
As Natalia Greszta wraps up her final week with DYW Tay Cities, she has dedicated her last two weeks to sharing her personal journey with high school pupils across the region. Natalia’s story is one of resilience and determination; Coming to Scotland from Poland at the age of 11 without knowing a word of English, she overcame significant challenges to find her path through a Modern Apprenticeship in Business Administration, which ultimately led to her current role.
During the past two weeks, Natalia delivered impactful talks that captivated students and encouraged them to engage with her experiences. Despite her initial nerves, she felt an immense sense of pride seeing the positive response from the pupils. Their questions and genuine interest demonstrated how inspired they felt by her story.
Natalia’s message was clear: with determination and hard work, you can accomplish your goals and pursue your aspirations, no matter the obstacles you face. She hopes that by sharing her story, more young people will realise the vast array of opportunities available to them, especially through apprenticeships.
If you’re inspired by Natalia’s journey and are interested in exploring an apprenticeship, take a look at the vacancies on our website or visit apprenticeships.scot. You can also reach out to your DYW School Coordinator for more information. Your future career could be just one step away!
Monifieth High School's Language Carousel
Monifieth High School's Language Carousel
An amazing thank you to our fabulous participants for Monifieth High School’s Language Carousel for S1/S2’s to help inspire a love of languages throughout their School Years!
A massive thank you to Fiona Walsh, Alison Smith, Samantha Riddell, Sandra Crowther, Christine & James!
Discovery Languages Ltd, Angus Council, University of Dundee, Redcastle, Appetite for Angus, Heriot-Watt University
Jamie McBrearty Growth Mindset Session at Brechin High School
Jamie McBrearty Growth Mindset session at Brechin High School
There was a fantastic Growth Mindset session at Brechin High School on the 20th of March for their S5 & S6s.
This session was set to help inspire positive outlooks and provide a positive perspective for their upcoming exams and life after School to enable the very best versions of themselves.
A truly inspiring session which saw the whole audience light up and engage with Jamie throughout
Angus Apprenticeship Job Fayre
Angus Apprenticeship Job Fayre
DYW Tay Cities, Angus Council & Skills Development Scotland joined forces on the 7th of March to present the Angus Apprenticeship Job Fair at the Old & East Abbey Church, Arbroath to promote Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
The sold-out event was attended by seven Angus Secondary Schools & hundreds of young people under 24 from across Angus.
This event aimed to help raise awareness of the organisations and types of work & different pathways that are available to young people. This also allowed them to engage first-hand with potential employers who have current vacancies, or opportunities that may become LIVE during 2024.
This will support the ambition of each young person in Angus to achieve a positive destination post-secondary school and support the DYW Young Person Guarantee.
Employers/Apprentices involved: Angus Soft Fruits, Journey Call, Angus Health & Social Care partnership, Angus Council, Angus Early Years & Child Care, Angus Skills & Employability Team, SDS, Remploy , D&A College, Angus Training Group, SnipeF, MVV, Baker Hughes, Morrisons (supermarket), AME INTERNATIONAL, OPITO, Ross Agri, Ringlink, NOV, Balfour Betty, VAA, Bell group, RAF , ALTAR Group, Apprentice Ambassadors Lucy Jobson and Natalia Greszta.
Bridging the Gap with globalbridge event
Bridging the Gap with globalbridge event
We welcomed over 130 employers, educators, and professionals alike on the 21st February at The Apex Hotels, City Quay, to our partnership event “Bridging the Gap” to unveil new innovative Edtech that will increase social mobility and enhance positive destinations for our young people right here in Dundee!
Joining forces; Dundee City Council, DYW Tay Cities, and globalbridge announced the launch of the globalbridge App which encourages young people to detail their experiences and understand their skills via a new innovative digital learner profile, bridging the gap between the classroom and the boardrooms thus allowing employers to provide opportunities which will be matched with a young person learner profile via a buzzing digital ecosystem. Helping to navigate and nurture the future talent of Dundee.
A massive thanks to our partners globalbridge and Dundee City Council for working together to create an incredible opportunity that will benefit every young person in Dundee and enable the next generation of future talent to emerge successfully. Another thank you to Apex Hotels, Paul Mooney, and his team for hosting this event on the evening and helping to ensure a smooth and seamless event with fantastic catering.
Visit from Mr. Dey: Engaging with the DYW Tay Cities Team
Visit from Mr. Dey: Engaging with the DYW Tay Cities Team
On the 17th of January Mr Dey, Minister of Higher and Further Education, visited DYW Tay Cities to learn about all our exciting work. Lucy Jobson our Graduate Apprentice delivered an informative presentation on the Apprentice Ambassador Project that she manages in Tay Cities, she was also joined by Apprentice Ambassadors Natalia (previous Modern Apprentice), Josh and Millie (apprentices from GSK) who shared their apprenticeship journey. Morgan McLeod, one of our Employer Liaison Officers, then gave an insight into some of our DYW Tay Cities events that have taken place throughout 2023 and provided a glance into the calendar of 2024 events. John Robertson finished the presentation with an overview of the team’s delivery statistics.
Finally, the morning couldn’t end without a visit to one of our local employers, Dundee FC Community Trust.
Thank you Mr Dey for taking the time to visit us!
Senior Careers Fair at the High School of Dundee
Senior Careers Fair at the High School of Dundee
On the 15th of February, the High School Of Dundee hosted its Senior Careers Fair and we, DYW Tay Cities, collaborated with the school to encourage our local employer contacts to come along and have a stall. The fair proved highly successful, with over 200 students attending throughout the morning/afternoon sessions.
Students had the opportunity to network with diverse employers, inquire about job openings, explore apprenticeship options and meet the DYW Apprentice Ambassadors: Lucy Jobson and Natalia Greszta. They also engaged in hands-on experiences and activities offered by different stalls and businesses present.
Credit to the High School of Dundee for organising this impactful event and thank you to all the organisations that attended.
Journey to Work Partnership Event
Journey to Work Partnership Event
In December 2023, over 70 young people attended our Journey to Work partnership event hosted at YMCA Tayside.
This event was aimed at young people 16 plus or for those wanting to leave high school soon, to help them prepare for the world of work. They discovered the art of dressing to impress for interviews, sharpened interview skills with mock interviews, found out about the apprenticeship route, took part in employer-led presentations & workshops that will enhance their work-ready skills, and connected with local employers at the career’s carousel/mini jobs fair, who can kick start their future careers.
The impactful workshops and presentations played a significant role in making this event so beneficial for young people. Sessions such as “Motivational Speaking with Euan Dear,” “Volunteering Presentation by PKAVS Carers Hub,” “Communication Skills Mastery with Steven Stewart,” and “Understanding Employer Expectations with Hillcrest” added inspirational, educational, and practical dimensions. They empowered young people to think about diverse career paths, refine communication skills, understand employer expectations, and explore volunteering opportunities. This will help them be well-equipped for applying for jobs and entering the workforce