✨ A Fantastic Day of Creative Discovery at Sky Up Academy! 🎬
We were thrilled to bring together senior phase students with a passion for the creative industries for an inspiring, hands‑on day at Sky Up Academy and what an incredible event it turned out to be.
Across four immersive workshops, students explored filmmaking, performance, photography, architecture, literature, and more. Many arrived with an interest in the creative world; all left with new ideas, fresh confidence, and in several cases aspirations they hadn’t even considered before.
 
🌟 A Day Filled With Curiosity, Creativity & Confidence
Feedback from both students and schools shows just how much the sessions resonated.
Most students felt the workshop length and group sizes were “just right,” and many described the day as fun, insightful, and very interactive. A number of students told us they enjoyed learning in a hands‑on way and valued the chance to try completely new creative disciplines.
Some even suggested ideas for the future including animation, graphic design, fine art, interior design, and games design. Highlighting their enthusiasm to keep exploring this vibrant sector.
Schools also shared how energising it was to see young people so engaged, noting how experiences like this can influence pathways, spark new ambitions, and help students identify their next steps in education or training.
 
🙌 A Huge Thank You to Our Industry Partners
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the brilliant support of our creative partners, who brought expertise, enthusiasm, and genuine industry insight:

• 📸 Rebecca Holmes Photography
• 🏫 Heriot‑Watt University
• 🏛️ Hearth Architects
• 🎭 Firefly Arts
• 🎓 Edinburgh Napier University
• 📖 Scottish Book Trust
• 🎥 Sky

Partners overwhelmingly said students were highly engaged, creative, and eager to take part. Several organisations shared that they loved delivering the workshops and found the young people’s ideas inspiring.
Many felt the format was strong, the energy fantastic, and the venue welcoming with suggestions for future improvements such as slightly longer sessions and additional space for group activities. All of this feedback will help shape an even smoother and richer experience next time.
 
💥 The Power of Real‑World Creative Learning
Hands‑on learning like this has a unique ability to unlock potential.
Students told us they enjoyed:
✨ Trying new skills
✨ Working with real creative professionals
✨ Learning about career paths they didn’t know existed
✨ Being able to express ideas in new ways
Employers noticed the same thing. Commenting on the creativity, confidence, and imagination shown by every group they worked with.
Teachers shared that the event was well‑run, meaningful, and left young people “engaged and invigorated.” Several noted that holding similar events earlier in the academic year could help even more students connect what they learn to their next steps in education or employment.
 
🌟 Championing Scotland’s Next Generation of Creatives
Scotland’s creative industries are thriving, diverse, and packed with opportunity.
Events like this help young people understand just how many pathways exist from film, TV, and photography to design, performance, architecture, writing, and beyond.
We’re incredibly proud to support the next generation of makers, thinkers, storytellers, and innovators. Their ideas, confidence, and creativity were at the heart of this event and we can’t wait to see where they go next.
Here’s to Scotland’s future creatives… and to many more days of discovery ahead!
 

🌿 Celebrating an Inspiring Careers Event at Almond Valley Heritage Centre 🌿
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On 11th November, we had the privilege of welcoming 175 enthusiastic S1–S3 students from five West Lothian schools to the Almond Valley Heritage Centre for a dynamic and engaging event focused on careers in the environment, outdoors, and energy sectors.

Why This Event Matters
The world is changing fast, and opportunities in sustainability, energy, and environmental stewardship are growing every day. This event gave young people a chance to explore these exciting pathways, meet industry professionals, and discover how they can play a role in shaping a greener future.

A Huge Thank You to Our Amazing Employers
We are incredibly grateful to the following organisations for sharing their expertise, passion, and interactive activities:

• West Lothian Climate Action Network Hub
• The Verdancy Group
• British Gas/Centrica
• SP Energy Networks
• Scottish Water
• Almond Valley Heritage Centre
• The Woodland Trust
• Levenseat
• EDF Energy Services
• Mitsubishi Electric
• Cruden Homes
• John Bean Technology (JBT)
• Skills Development Scotland

Your time and energy made a real impact on the students exploring their future pathways!

Special Thanks
A heartfelt thank you to John Bean Technology (JBT)  for generously sponsoring the event and funding school transport. Your support ensured that every student could attend and benefit from this experience.

Event Highlights

• Location: Almond Valley Heritage Centre
• Date: 11th November
• Time: 10am–12pm
• Attendees: 175 students from:
  • Winchburgh Academy
  • Deans Community High School
  • St Kentigern’s Academy
  • Inveralmond Community High School
  • Sinclair Academy

Employers hosted interactive stalls showcasing careers in the environment, outdoors, and energy sectors. Students explored hands-on activities and attended talks about future pathways, gaining valuable insights into an ever-growing industry.

"Thanks to the brilliant team at DYW West Lothian, and hosts Almond Valley Heritage Trust, we had a very engaging few hours with all the S1-3 pupils and teachers from the various high schools in West Lothian. 

They were a great bunch to chat to about green skills, their own career interests and how this could connect with our sector, doing our bit towards Net Zero and all the other benefits that can bring for homes and businesses.

Rowanne Ness, our new Sustainability Trainer & Consultant, who recently joined as part of our growing team, alongside myself, instigated conversations with the pupils using our variety of educational materials, from a micro anemometer to samples of natural insulation, thermal cameras to hygrometers and more, in order to showcase directly and indirectly the huge variety of skills, jobs, technologies, training opportunities we can support and overall career possibilities in our growing industry. They do say that one day every job will be a green job!"
- Neil Barnes, The Verdancy Group

 

​Putting Local Young People in the Spotlight: Sharing Journeys and Insights

On 6th November 2025, we had the privilege of hosting an inspiring event at Mitsubishi Electric, Linlithgow, in partnership with West Lothian Chamber of Commerce. This event was designed to flip the script—giving local young people the stage to share their stories, experiences, and advice with employers.

Why This Event Matters
As employers, understanding the next generation entering the workforce is crucial. This event offered a unique opportunity to hear directly from young individuals who are thriving in their post-school destinations. Through their voices, we explored:

• The transition from school to the workplace
• What inspired their career paths
• What they want employers to know about their generation
• 
  

Event Highlights
The day began with a 30-minute panel discussion, where young representatives from NHS Lothian, Mitsubishi Electric, Edinburgh Airport, and Morrison Construction shared their journeys. Each story was a powerful reminder that success doesn’t follow a single path—determination, curiosity, and opportunity can lead to incredible outcomes.
Following the panel, attendees enjoyed a complimentary lunch and networking session, creating space for meaningful conversations between employers and young people.

Gratitude and Impact
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mitsubishi Electric for sponsoring this event and providing the venue and catering. Their support makes it possible to create experiences that truly matter for our community.
All proceeds from ticket sales—just £5 per attendee—will go toward supporting local schools through this project, ensuring that the impact of this event continues to ripple outward.

Key Takeaway
This event wasn’t just about listening—it was about learning, connecting, and shaping a more inclusive and informed future workforce. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making “Walk in Our Shoes” such a success!
 

​#HeritageWeek saw two fantastic days unfold at Linlithgow Palace in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland (HES), where over 150 S2 pupils from across West Lothian took part in a unique, hands-on learning experience that brought Scotland’s rich history to life.
Held on the 28th and 29th of October, the event welcomed students from eight local schools:

• Deans Community High School
• Inveralmond Community High School
• Linlithgow Academy
• St Kentigern’s Academy
• St Margaret’s Academy
• West Calder High School
• Winchburgh Academy
• Cedarbank School

 
Organised and hosted by HES, with support from Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), the event took place across the historic Burgh Halls and Linlithgow Palace. Throughout each day, students rotated through four interactive workshops designed to spark curiosity and showcase the exciting career opportunities within the heritage sector:

• Defending Scotland’s Heritage – Students explored how experts protect and conserve historic sites.
• Careers & Skills workshop – Pupils learned about the skills needed to be successful in the heritage sector.
• Rangers – They discovered the role of environmental stewardship in maintaining heritage landscapes.
• Costumed Performance – Participants experienced history through dramatic storytelling and reenactment.

 
The turnout was fantastic, and feedback from both teachers and pupils was overwhelmingly positive. All participating schools expressed enthusiasm about returning next year, highlighting the event’s success in inspiring young minds and connecting them with Scotland’s cultural legacy.
HES and DYW were proud to continue this partnership, helping students explore meaningful careers while celebrating the heritage that makes Scotland unique.