Page last updated on Monday 8th February 2010

Careers

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?

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 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

Various Modern Apprenticeships

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

ECITB

ECITB (Construction Engineering) Modern Apprenticeship recruitment is now open: http://www.ecitb.org.uk/Programmes/Apprenticeships/Learner/

The University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow has a Business Administration MA vacancy (advertised in Daily Record):
Click here to see advert.

Scottish Power and BT

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

OPITO Upstream Oil

Recruitment for the OPITO Upstream Oil and Gas Industry Technician Training Scheme is now open:
http://www.opito.net/

NB The closing date for applications is 16 April.

Barrhead Travel

Barrhead Travel are apparently opening 5 new stores, and are looking for staff at all levels, including Modern apprentices. Further info from: Wilma Taylor, 0141 304 5845, or e-mail a CV to: recruitment@barrheadtravel.com

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

Grant Thornton - Accountancy

Grant Thornton are keen to promote their accountancy school leavers programmes. They hope to have a couple of vacancies their Glasgow offices this summer which would suit potential s5/s6 summer leavers with the necessary highers ( in the region of BBBB/equivalent) and an interest in this area. They also state that applicants don’t need to be recent school leavers as long as they have the minimum qualifications.

Details can be found on their website: www.grant-thornton.co.uk/school_leavers/about_us.aspx

On their website, entry qualifications are listed as follows:

So, the all-important question: what do you need to apply? This is an environment that calls for good communication and numerical skills, so you’ll need at least grade B GCSEs in English Language and Maths. We’ll also expect a minimum of 240 UCAS points (or equivalent), plus a real interest in a business career that involves solving challenging problems for clients and advising them on their business.