Page last updated on Wednesday 2nd June 2010
Careers
Careers Workshops
Tuesday 18th May 2010

Careers Scotland works with you to help you plan your career. We want you to be able to make well informed, realistic career decisions and to be able to put them into action. Career planning skills will help you make a decision that is right for you both when you leave school and throughout your career.
How do I see the careers adviser in school?
Pupils in school can request an individual interview with the careers adviser by completing a Careers Scotland Contact Card available from the pupil support base or from the careers adviser. Appointments usually last about 35 minutes and offer pupils the opportunity to talk their ideas over in a confidential, relaxed environment and receive impartial advice and guidance to help take the next steps towards your future career.
What kind of things might I discuss at my interview?
• You may not have any ideas – don’t panic you are not alone!
• How to make a well informed, realistic career decision
• how to find out more about jobs of interest
• what’s going on in the labour market
• college or university courses and how to apply
• progression from college to university
• how to apply for work or training
• course funding and scholarships
• really it’s up to you, as long as it is career related, the careers adviser is here to offer you support and guidance
What else does the careers adviser do in school?
As well as individual interviews the careers adviser, June Cunningham gives class talks to S4 pupils and presentations at assemblies on post-school options to S5/6 pupils.
Sharon Reid, another Careers Scotland careers adviser, runs an employability group called Activate in school for selected senior pupils, which focuses on the skills needed to make the transition from school into work, further education or training. Occasionally you will hear from her during year group assemblies.
If you have a quick careers question or simply want to check entry requirements or clarify course descriptions you can see the careers adviser without making an appointment at the careers drop-in lunch time clinic. During the current session this clinic takes place on a Thursday and Friday from 12:30pm ‘till the end of the lunch break.
The careers adviser will try to attend parents’ nights for S2, S4 and S5/6 and usually has an input at information evenings to give parents the chance to access advice about how best to support their child with career planning or even get advice for themselves!
During September Careers Scotland collects information from all school leavers as to their post-school destinations and feeds this information back to the Scottish Government. This statistical information is used to inform funding issues in further and higher education, skillseeker, modern apprenticeship and other training places. In March school leavers will be contacted again to check that they are sustaining jobs and courses. Careers Scotland staff are in the process now of contacting leavers by phone, email, text and letter in order to collect this information. It is a huge task involving all levels of staff across all local authority areas so please help us by taking our calls and returning the information. Any former pupils who are not in work, training or education will be offered extra support to help get into something of interest.
Don’t forget about the School Careers Convention on Wednesday 1st October, 6-8pm which is an ideal opportunity to talk to people representing colleges, universities and some employers.
Who is the careers adviser in school and where can I find her?
• June Cunningham is in school on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
• Catriona Makeham is in school on Fridays until the end of October.
June is available usually by appointment. Interviews and group work take place in the careers interview room across from the pupil support base.
Alternatively email your questions, drop into your local Careers Scotland Centre (locations on website) or telephone our contact centre on 0845 8502502 (local call rate applies).
Useful websites:
www.careers-scotland.org.uk - careers advice, guidance and planning
www.planitplus.net - careers information and guidance
www.ucas.com - applying to university
www.saas.gov.uk - funding
www.prospects.ac.uk - what graduates do
www.timesonline.co.uk/universityguide - university guide
www.mappit.org.uk - modern apprenticeship vacancies
www.yini.org.uk - year out in industry (pre-university)
Latest Job Opporunities
Introduction to Golf Management 1 Year Full Time)
This is a course designed for those with an interest in working in the Golf Industry in a managerial capacity as opposed to becoming a professional player. Job opportunities include working as an Assistant Manager/Secretary in a Golf Club or Golf Resort, in Golf Retailing or Golf Manufacturing. Reid Kerr plans to introduce a BA Golf Management in September 2011 and students may consider articulating to this programme on successful completion of the Introduction to Golf Management.
This course will be delivered by Reid Kerr College's Sports Section in Moorcroft Sports Centre campus in Renfrew.
Course Content will include Golf Club Procedures, Etiquette and Rules, Introduction to Golf Caddying , Golf Course Tournament Preparation, Plan and Prepare a Series of Golf Coaching Sessions, Sporting Activity - Golf, Work Experience, Finance and Human Resource Management, Marketing Basic Principles, Health and Safety, First Aid.
East Renfrewshire Sports Studies Intermediate 2/Higher (1 Year Full Time)
This course will be delivered in Barrhead Sports Centre and is primarily for East Renfrewshire students who are interested in sport, on successful completion of the course students can apply for employment with East Renfrewshire, working in their Sports Centres or progress to HNC/D Sports Coaching in Reid Kerr.
Course content will include SQA units in, Human Physiology, Personal Wellbeing and Exercise, Exercise & Fitness - Circuits - to Music - Gymnasium - Resistance Training, Sports Coaching Techniques, Pool Lifeguard, Alpine Skiing, First Aid.
CAD Technologist Modern Apprenticeship
Details of a CAD Technologist Modern Apprenticeship at Doosan Babcock. Apply on the company website at www.apointplus.com/Doosan
Closing date is Friday 28th May
Various Modern Apprenticeships
POST: Modern Apprentice (Approximately 20 posts – various departments)
REF: MA/062/10 SALARY: Starting from £ 97.82 per week
HOURS: 35 per week
LOCATION: Various locations within East Renfrewshire Council
You should have a minimum of Intermediate 2 in English and a further 2 relevant subjects at Intermediate 2 or Intermediate 1 at A or B. You should have good communication skills and have a genuine interest your chosen area of work. Applicant should be between the age of 16 and 19 years, with preference being given to residents of East Renfrewshire.
Closing date for applications: Friday 21
May 2010 Please note that all applicants must complete an application form and CV applications will not be considered. Application packs should be obtained on line at www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/jobs or by telephoning 0141 577 3007 or alternatively by emailing customerservices@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk or writing to: Customer First, East Renfrewshire Council, 211 Main Street, Barrhead, G78 1SY.
There are various Modern Apprenticeships now available at www.apprenticeshipsinscotland.com
Apprentice Motor Vehicle Technician - Royal Mail Glasgow
The Royal Mail Apprenticeship Scheme for Motor Vehicle Technicians
With 27 million homes and businesses expecting daily deliveries, it's no surprise that Royal Mail has one of the largest automotive fleets in Europe. With a fleet of 33,000 vehicles, ranging from cars to 28 tonne lorries, they all need top-flight maintenance and repairs to ensure our customers aren't kept waiting for their post.
Your Role: You'll become part of a team that includes a mentor who will guide and help you through the course of your apprenticeship. Building practical skills that meet the demands of modern vehicles means you'll learn techniques that are both safe and cost effective. You will be required to work between 6am - 4pm. (Exact hours to be confirmed locally at your designated workshop.)
Requirements & Reward : You should be between the ages of 16 and 18 years old (on 1st September 2010), interested in a career in the motor vehicle repair and maintenance industry and you should have a minimum of 4 GCSE's (or equivalent - predicted grades are acceptable at this stage), preferably including Mathematics, English Language, Science and Information Technology. You will be required to partake in physical tasks as well as using computer-based diagnostics.
Your reward: This is a fully financed apprenticeship and there will be no charge for your tools or protective clothing. The salary starts at £9,963 plus allowances; subject to pay review and you'll work 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday.
CLYDE UNION Pumps
Craft and Technician, Modern Apprenticeship Recruitment for August 2010 now required.
The successful Craft applicant would be expected to hold standard grade passes at General level or above in Maths, English, a Science subject (preferably Physics) and a Technical subject.
The successful Technician applicant would be expected to hold standard grade passes at Credit level or above in Maths, English, and a Science subject (preferably Physics) plus two other standard grades and Higher Grade Passes in Maths, English and a science subject (preferably Physics).
All applicants should be enthusiastic and have a genuine interest in achieving an Apprenticeship with CLYDEUNION. To apply please: • submit your CV to the Human Resources Department CLYDEUNION 149 Newlands Road, Cathcart, Glasgow G44 4EX
Scottish Power and BT are not yet recruiting but potential applicants can register their interest:
http://www.scottishpower.jobs/apprentices/apply-now.php
http://www.btplc.com/careercentre/careerstart-apprentices/index.htm
Trainee Air Traffic Controllers
NATS now recruiting. You need to be at least 18 years old at the date of application and eligible to work in the UK. You'll also have at least five GCSEs, or equivalent, at Grade C or above (Intermediate 2), including English and Maths. You must be prepared to work anywhere in the UK.
For more information and to apply online go to: atcocareers.co.uk