National careers scheme launched in Brae

Careers advice for pupils should start much earlier so that they become aware of the opportunities in the workplace.

Scottish government minister Roseanna Cunningham visited Brae to launch the new national careers project. Photo: Dave Donaldson
Scottish government minister Roseanna Cunningham visited Brae to launch the new national careers project. Other visits included the NAFC Marine Centre in Scalloway. Photo: Dave Donaldson

So said Scottish minister for Fair Work, Skills and Training Roseanna Cunningham, who is in Shetland this week to launch a Scottish government initiative to bring careers information and advice to S1.

Ms Cunningham made the national announcement at Brae High School this morning, and said the early careers advice would be supported by £1.5million from the Scottish government. Shetland is one of the first areas to benefit from the initiative, which will be rolled out throughout Scotland.

In addition to earlier careers advice, which will involve employing extra careers advisers, older pupils will have one-to-one support when choosing senior phase subjects. This is so that they do not “accidentally close doors” by making inappropriate choices.

Ms Cunningham said: “We are responding to requests from a range of people and organisations for good careers advice to start earlier. There are huge opportunities if you make the right decisions.” Young people should be exposed to opportunities, she said, as they can become aware of careers paths they did not know existed.

Three other schools in Scotland will also be part of the project. Ms Cunningham said: “Lessons learned in Shetland will be taken to other parts of Scotland. Shetland is in the front line.”

She added that this would not be “a short-term project”, and should become “embedded” so that it would not necessarily need more money in future.

NO COMMENTS

Add Your Comment

Add Your Comment

Please note, it is the policy of The Shetland Times to publish comments and letters from named individuals only. Both forename and surname are required.

Comments are moderated. Contributors must observe normal standards of decency and tolerance for the opinions of others.

The views expressed are those of contributors and not of The Shetland Times.

The Shetland Times reserves the right to decline or remove any contribution without notice or stating reason.

Comments are limited to 200 words but please email longer articles or letters to editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk for consideration and include a daytime telephone number and your address. If emailing information in confidence please put "Not for publication" in both the subject line and at the top of the main message.

200 words left

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

logo

Get Latest News in Your Inbox

Join the The Shetland Times mailing list to get one daily email update at midday on what's happening in Shetland.