Developing the Young Workforce North Highland

Twelve young people from Caithness and Sutherland joined DYW North Highland for an unforgettable weekend of adventure in the Cairngorms, saying the confidence-building experiences exceeded all expectations.

The action-packed itinerary combined outdoor challenges with mentorship and reflective confidence-building workshops. Activities included problem-solving tasks, canoeing on the River Spey, high ropes and a thrilling battle zone. The weekend culminated in an adrenaline-pumping bungee jump over the beautiful River Garry near Pitlochry with Highland Fling.

This incredible opportunity was made possible thanks to the generous support and sponsorship from Scrabster Harbour Trust. The Summit to Success programme, created in partnership with DYW North Highland, aimed to inspire, build confidence, encourage teamwork, and enhance communication and problem-solving skills. Fundamental skills which will greatly benefit the participants as they pursue their future career paths.

The weekend took place at Cairngorms Activities led by the centre’s co-founder Sam Philip and DYW North Highland Operations Manager Tom McGee. The group were supported by volunteers Chris Aitken, computing science teacher at Wick High School, Jo Henderson, field worker with TYKES Young Carers in Golspie and Emmerleigh Barter, retained firefighter and development officer with Caithness RFC.

DYW North Highland collaborates closely with employers in the North Highland region to inspire, develop, and involve the future workforce, while creating a compelling narrative of opportunity for young people. The activities, events, and real-life experiences provided by DYW play a crucial role in assisting young people in making informed decisions about their futures and preparing them for the world of work.

Tom McGee, DYW Operations Manger commented:

“After reflecting on conversations and feedback from the young people we work with in our region, we made it a priority to place confidence-building at the heart of our Summit to Success programme. I’ve been incredibly impressed by the group, particularly in how quickly they formed connections and pushed themselves throughout the process. From the interview and application stages to the way they conducted and challenged themselves, their performance has been nothing short of remarkable. The team at Cairngorms commended them highly for their professionalism, and they have proven to be a true asset to our region.

Every single one of them has shown outstanding courage, commitment, and compassion for one another. Opportunities like these are pivotal in strengthening employability skills, and this group embraced every chance to grow and learn. Their dedication to the programme is exactly the kind of work ethic that employers value, and I am confident they have bright futures ahead of them, no matter which career path they choose.

A big thank you to Scrabster Harbour Trust, who supported this programme. We are incredibly grateful  to the organisations locally who support the DYW mission.”

Ryan Maclean, Trust Manager, Scrabster Harbour commented: 

“We are delighted to have supported this fantastic initiative that enabled young people the opportunity to develop new skills, test themselves and experience the outdoors.  At Scrabster we are committed to fostering strong connections with our local community, and projects like this align well with our values.  Investing in our youth is an investment in our collective future, and we are proud to have played a part in making this activity weekend possible.”