About us

Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland was established in 2016 as part of the Scottish Government’s youth employment strategy. Hosted by Inverness Chamber of Commerce and with an employer-led Board, our aim is to develop sustainable links between schools, colleges and employers to help employers be more engaged in shaping their future workforce and better prepare young people for the world of work.

Tain Royal Academy
Alness Academy
Invergordon Academy
Fortrose School
Dingwall Academy
Nairn Academy
Culloden Academy
Inverness High School
Milburn Academy
Charleston Academy
Inverness Royal Academy
Glen Urquhart High
Grantown Grammar School
Kingussie High School

DYWICH has a School Coordinator in every secondary school in our area, working with schools, partners and employers to support young people in planning their future careers and gaining the skills and confidence they will need.

The Young Person’s Guarantee is a commitment to bring together employers, partners and young people. It aims to connect every 16 to 24 year old in Scotland to an opportunity. This could be a job, apprenticeship, further or higher education, training programme or volunteering.

DYWICH Board Chair – Chris Dowling

Chris, a Director of the Cairngorm Group which is a family business first established in 1953. DYW has been a part of the companies ethos right from the beginning with a long history of providing both apprenticeships & work experience placements for school leavers & long term unemployed. Currently around 10% of the company’s workforce are employed in formal apprenticeships or modern apprenticeship schemes which include joiners, glaziers, fabrication staff & admin staff. Chris has personally been involved in working closely in not only facilitating work placements but also delivering talks to school pupils about what to expect on placements & taking part in mock interviews.

Out with Cairngorm Chris is part of the leadership team at the church he attends, King’s Inverness. As part of his role Chris has established a work club as well as work placements within the churches coffee shop which serves the local community. Chris has also been trained as Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Money coach.

“I believe we require a holistic approach where we help pupils find meaning & purpose opposed to just a job. I also believe we need to prepare them for every aspect of life after leaving school. Being involved in this process at both Cairngorm & King’s has I hoped, equipped me for this role which I feel very humbled to have been asked to take on”

Chris Dowling