How to access career services in school

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is the national skills agency, and delivers Scotland’s career service.
SDS careers advisers deliver career information, advice and guidance in schools to pupils from S1-S6. They are there to help you understand the world of work and to develop the career management skills you need as you move through school and beyond.
Your school careers advisers are:

Kevin Guthrie kevin.guthrie@sds.co.uk

Fionna Dowell fionna.dowell@sds.co.uk

You might meet your careers adviser with your class at a group activity, at a careers event, or at a one-to-one appointment.

Your careers adviser can speak to you about:
•understanding and developing yourself, your strengths, and your skills
•making your option choices
•career choices
•courses, training, and volunteering
•CVs, applications, and interviews
•apprenticeships
•local and national job opportunities.

You can also visit Scotland’s careers website My World Of Work.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is the national career service, and they have careers advisers in every state secondary school in Scotland.
The SDS career service helps people develop their career management skills and make confident decisions for their future.
Pupils can speak to their SDS careers adviser throughout the school year and will also be supported by them at key times such as starting S1, making option choices, and preparing for moving on from school. This service will be delivered through drop-ins, one-to-one appointments, and group learning sessions.
There is lots of useful career information and advice available at any time through Scotland’s career website My World of Work | My World of Work. There is also a dedicated area for parents & carers with information to help you have career conversations at home.
If you or your young person would like to make an appointment with your school careers adviser, please contact the school office for details.
Beyond school, SDS advisers are also available at community venues across the country, an SDS centre, or via our helpline. To get support or arrange an appointment call the SDS freephone helpline on 0800 917 8000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
More information about SDS and its career service in schools is available at sds.co.uk

Beyond school, anyone can speak to expert advisers in SDS centres or community venues across the country and on our freephone helpline on 0800 917 8000. They can help people of all ages and at all stages of their career.

Careers Support after school

Skills Development Scotland Advisers are still available to talk to you about your options once you have left school.  SDS will continue to offer you support and information on what to do next, help you with job application forms, college applications, job hunting and CVs.  

Information for Parents and Carers

When it comes to making career decisions, you’re one of the first people your child will turn to for help.

Skills Development Scotland Scotland’s careers service and our Careers Advisers are available to support you and your child throughout their time at school.

My World of Work

My word of work is Scotland’s careers website and it’s packed full of tools and information to help you confidently make the best decisions for you.
There’s lots to do and explore and the more you tell the site about yourself, the more career ideas you’ll get just for you.
• Find out more about yourself with Animal Me and the Strength & Discovery tools
• Explore career options through our job profiles and industry pages
• Learn about routes into careers such as courses and apprenticeships
• Discover where your option choices could take you
• Celebrate your achievements and build a library of your skills and successes
• Showcase who you are, your skills and achievements with My profile
• Prepare for your next steps with CVs, applications and interviews, advice and tools
Register for an account today and keep using the site as you go through school.
Discover and explore what your future could be at My World of Work | My World of Work

Apprenticeships

Foundation Apprenticeships
Foundation Apprenticeships can set pupils up for a big future with the skills employers need in some of Scotland’s most exciting and fastest growing industries.
A Foundation Apprenticeship is an option choice that allows pupils to get real industry experience while they are still at school.
Choose a Foundation Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6 (the same level as a Scottish Higher) in S5 or S6, available in 12 subjects such as Engineering, Scientific Technologies, and Software Development.
There are also pilot SCQF Level 4 and 5 Foundation Apprenticeships in selected schools, for pupils from S3 to S6 in Construction, Automotive and Hospitality.
Here is a quick guide to foundation apprenticeships covering what to expect and how they differ from other school subjects.
Visit apprenticeships.scot to find out what’s available and to apply online.

Apprenticeships.scot
Apprenticeships.scot is the place to go for apprenticeships in Scotland with all the information you need on how to become a Foundation, Modern or Graduate Apprentice.
Search and apply for apprenticeship vacancies across Scotland in a wide range of industries and create an online account so it’s straightforward to submit job applications. You can also sign up to the job alert to get the latest job vacancies in your email inbox each week.
No matter what stage you’re at, apprenticeships can help you get set for a bright future.

•Foundation Apprenticeships: get industry experience, the skills employers need, and a recognised qualification while you’re still at school
•Modern Apprenticeships: work, earn and learn and gain skills, experience and qualifications along the way
•Graduate Apprenticeships: get a paid job in key sectors, and gain industry experience while you work towards a degree
Visit apprenticeships.scot to find the right apprenticeship for you.

 

DYW

Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland (DYWICH) 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, it's our priority to make it easier for employers to connect with pupils in our schools, helping them to shape their future workforce and better prepare young people for the world of work. Our DYW Co-ordinator, Gillian Denovan  is based in the school.

DYW - Further Information

Useful links for Parents and Careers