Scotland’s Year of Young People – grasping the opportunity
by Geoff Leask, Chief Executive, Young Enterprise Scotland. Continuing our guest blog series featuring Informed Scotland subscribers writing on the theme Making connections across the learning & skills landscape.
During a rather routine business meeting, as we headed towards the Christmas break, someone asked me, “What is Young Enterprise Scotland doing for Scotland’s Year of Young People in 2018?”
Quickly I replied, “The same as we did this year, last year and previous years, in the knowledge that Scotland’s Year of Young People gives us a great opportunity to shine a light on the enterprising talent that exists within our greatest resource (young people) and to make a case for greater participation in programmes like those offered by Young Enterprise Scotland and others”.
Year of Young People 2018 (#YOYP2018) is a wonderful occasion for all organisations to celebrate the amazing young personalities, talents and achievers that make up Scotland. It’s all about inspiring our nation through its young people’s ideas, attitudes and ambitions. We do not necessarily need to be an organisation whose area of work is with young people to get involved and help celebrate young people. This very special year is one for all organisations to get involved.
The year-long programme of events, activities and ideas will give young people in Scotland the opportunity to show the world what they’re made of. #YOYP2018 is something everyone can support (young or young-at-heart) and be immensely proud of.
At Young Enterprise Scotland, we have taken the opportunity to amplify our work by holding a ‘flagship’ event at Hampden Park on 5 and 6 June – a Festival of Youth Enterprise 2018. Over the course of the two days, 1,000 young people from primary and secondary schools and colleges, along with the business community, will engage in a series of activities designed and developed to help inspire the next generation to be aware of enterprise and the skills benefits gained from engaging in practical learning by doing activity. This year we will also hold some ‘Fringe’ events in the build up to the Festival, in several locations including Stirling and Dundee and more to be announced in coming weeks.
These events will be far stronger by the inclusion of partner organisations with a similar outlook and recognition of the value that young people bring to society in Scotland. One of the strengths of Scotland is the strong network of organisations that have the skills development of young people as an underpinning principle – and with us working collectively we can make this year very special.
If you would like to join us in celebrating young people’s role in innovation, entrepreneurship and the Scottish economy as well as making Scotland a greener and more pleasant place to live please reach out and let us see what we can do in collaboration!
To find out more or enquire about working in partnership, contact Geoff at [email protected]
Website: www.yes.org.uk
Twitter: @YE_Scotland Facebook: @YoungEnterpriseScotland
Read previous guest blogs in the series, including those from Children’s University Scotland, GTC Scotland, Be Personnel, SCEL, Clyde Gateway, EDT Scotland and SCQF Partnership.