With a wide range of events, activities and resources, Scottish Careers Week – an exciting new event being launched this month by Skills Development Scotland – aims to inspire, advise and develop the country’s current and future workforce
THE last 18 months has brought a myriad of changes to the ways in which we learn, live and work. And now more than ever, we’re aware that further big changes lie ahead as we adopt new technologies and respond to the threats posed by climate change.
As a result, it’s never been more important to think about and develop the skills we’ll need to grow, adapt and thrive.
This is why the national skills agency – Skills Development Scotland (SDS) – is launching the first ever Scottish Careers Week taking place from 15-19 November.
Free expert careers advice is available to people of all ages right across the country, including in our schools, in SDS’s nationwide network of public centres, through our helpline or online at Scotland’s careers website, myworldofwork.co.uk
Through a range of events, activities and resources, Scottish Careers Week will encourage people of all ages to shape the future, while shining a light on the support that’s available across Scotland to help support positive choices.
Sharon McIntyre, Head of Careers Information, Advice and Guidance Operations at SDS, said: “Scottish Careers week offers a great opportunity to learn more about how our careers service can support people throughout their working lives.
“Thanks to the involvement of a host of partners, there’s something for everyone from young people to parents, carers and guardians, employers, teachers or anyone looking to take the next step their careers.
“We hope that Scottish Careers Week will grow into an inclusive annual campaign that inspires people to learn more about the jobs and skills of the future.”
Amongst the events available offering support is a free, six-part webinar series based on the popular careers handbook Positive Steps to Your Future, which is open to adults of all ages.
Hosted by expert careers advisers from SDS, everyone who joins will be guided through each topic to gain an understanding of how they can make positive change in their working lives while also learning about other support available from SDS.
Greenock-based SDS careers adviser Heather Forsyth will share her expertise during Scottish Careers Week
Themes explored include to how to face up to and embrace change as a first step towards progressing; identifying your skills, strengths and achievements; exploring the options available to you and putting a plan in place; where to find opportunities for a targeted approach to job searching; creating engaging content for your CVs and covering letters; and how to prepare effectively for interviews.
Each webinar lasts up to one hour and there is the opportunity to ask questions throughout each session.
For parents, Monday, November 15 will see the launch of Scotland’s Biggest Parents’ Events, hosted by Developing the Young Workforce, giving parents, carers and guardians the chance to hear about the things that matter to them right now.
The launch event at 7pm on Monday features key information about careers, jobs, pathways, skills and Scotland’s Young Person’s Guarantee. The event also has a focus on young people with additional support needs through our partner Enable Scotland.
The launch event will also offer information on Scotland’s careers service provided by SDS, and how Developing the Young Workforce is bringing the curriculum to life through employer experiences in schools.
All of this is packed into a 30-minute event available to watch through Developing the Young Workforce social media channels, and will be followed by a series of more local events and activities across the rest of the week along with further information across social media.
Employers across Scotland can also get involved and learn more about the support available so they can attract and develop the skills they need.
On Tuesday morning, Scottish Chambers of Commerce is hosting its Shape the Future event, giving businesses the chance to hear about the benefits of joining the Young Person’s Guarantee; the latest news on what employer support is available through the National Transition Training Fund; and details of the MCR Pathways nationwide mentoring programme.
Public sector and healthcare employers can also learn more about the Young Person’s Guarantee at a conference on Wednesday hosted by Sandy Begbie, CEO of Scottish Financial Enterprise and Chair of the Young Person’s Guarantee.
The event will feature a panel discussion with young people from the industry alongside Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training.
Further events are also available giving everyone the opportunity to find out how Scotland’s careers service can help them shape the future.
- Visit myworldofwork.co.uk/scottish-careers-week/events to find out more
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Digital Start Fund offers fresh route to jobs in digital sector
TRAINING to access a range of jobs in Scotland’s digital sector is now available thanks to the latest phase of the Digital Start Fund.
People facing unemployment or those on lower incomes can apply for a grant between £1,000 and £8,000 to cover training in software development, cyber security, and other digital fields.
The fund is now in its third year, with more than 350 people having accessed training since its launch in 2019. Training is funded by Scottish Government and administered by Skills Development Scotland (SDS).
Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Finance Kate Forbes said: “The adoption of digital technologies amongst Scotland’s employers has only accelerated since the Digital Start Fund was launched, underlining the need to help more people develop skills in this key area of our economy.
“Not only will the fund contribute towards Scotland’s economic recovery, it will give more people a route to grasp the exciting opportunities the digital sector has to offer.
“We are determined to support those on low incomes to improve their digital skills and technologies to ensure they can help drive forward our sustainable economic recovery.”
Applications to the fund can be made via Digital World, Scotland’s dedicated website for exploring digital careers.
Phil Ford, Head of Digital Economy and Financial Services at SDS, said: “The Digital Start Fund is one of a broad range of measures SDS has undertaken with partners to help ensure Scotland’s digital sector can access the skills and talent it needs to continued growth and development.
“It provides a new learning pathway so that more people are able to access the training they need so they can take advantage of job opportunities in a range of areas where more skills are needed.”
Training through the fund is available from a range of training providers – Dumfries and Galloway College, New College Lanarkshire, Glasgow Life, West Lothian College, CodeClan, Prime Talent, Code Division, Capita Learning and Datakirk.
Melinda Matthews-Clarkson, CEO of CodeClan said: “At CodeClan the Digital Start Fund has been a huge success for students over the last two years, giving them the opportunity to study with us and enhance their careers, many of whom had not worked for long periods, this remains a vital grant for those who would not normally be able to retrain and provides a stepping stone into the tech industry.
“The fund supports many sectors and skills, but we know that digital skills are key to a person’s success in the world we live in. CodeClan is a proud supporter of this initiative and welcomes all individuals to give technology a try.”
Angela Bell, Sales Officer at West Lothian College added: “We are delighted to again be working with SDS on The Digital Start Fund.
“This course will provide opportunities to individuals who are facing barriers that affect them accessing training.”
To learn more about the Digital Start Fund, including how to apply, visit digitalworld.net/study/digital-start-fund-open-applications
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