Project Description

In this series, we introduce the board members of DYW Fife and share why they wanted to get involved with the initiative. In this edition, we introduce you to John Penman.

Tell us about yourself, your background, and your career to date.

I was born and raised in Fife and have spent my entire career in the manufacturing sector, working in various industries. I joined FiFab 35 years ago, starting as a QA Inspector and gradually worked my way up through different roles to become Managing Director. My career journey began with an apprenticeship at Anderson Strathclyde in the mining industry, despite not having formal qualifications at the time. That hands-on experience taught me the fundamentals and helped me build a foundation in manufacturing.

How did you first get involved with DYW Fife?

My involvement in youth employability started even before Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Fife was established. FiFab had a youth employability partnership, which initially sparked my interest. When DYW Fife was founded, I joined the board as I was already engaged in supporting youth employment, and I saw it as an opportunity to play a larger role in encouraging other employers in Fife to get involved. Since then, I’ve moved from board member to Vice Chair, and now after 8 years, I have the privilege of serving as Chair.

As a DYW Fife board member, what areas of the organisation’s work are you most passionate about?

Honestly, I’m equally passionate about all aspects of DYW Fife’s work—whether it’s work placements, raising sector awareness, forming partnerships, or getting businesses involved. What really drives me is helping young people prepare for and transition into the workforce. Seeing young people step into their future careers and knowing that we helped pave the way for them is incredibly rewarding.

What is the main challenge that DYW Fife is responsible for tackling, and how does it help?

One of the biggest challenges is raising awareness among young people, parents, and guardians about the career opportunities available in Fife. Apprenticeships, for example, can be more beneficial than university for some students, yet they’re often overlooked. Employers in Fife need to engage directly with schools and DYW Fife to make those opportunities visible. DYW Fife provides direct links to schools through its coordinators, which helps bridge that gap.

What would you say to people who are thinking about getting involved with DYW?

I’d say, take the step and get involved—you won’t regret it. By partnering with DYW, you’re helping build the future workforce and giving young people the guidance and opportunities they need to succeed. It’s a rewarding experience that benefits both the business community and young people in Fife.