Helping Young People and Parents with Career Paths
Welcome to our resource page for young people and parents, focused on Developing the Young Workforce (DYW). Here, you’ll find straightforward information and practical tips to help guide the transition from school to work. Whether you’re a young person exploring career options or a parent looking to support your child’s future, this page is here to help.
Apprenticeships
Foundation Apprenticeships are courses designed for S5 and S6 pupils. These courses combine school learning, college learning and work experience.
A Foundation Apprenticeship is studied alongside other school subjects.
Pupils spend time at college and with employers, where they receive on the job training. This leads to an industry-recognised qualification.
Foundation apprenticeships are a good opportunity to try out a possible career. They can lead to employment, a Modern Apprenticeship, a graduate level apprenticeship, or other courses at college or university
Foundation Apprenticeships Subject Areas
Foundation apprenticeships are available in the following subject areas:
- Business skills.
- Civil engineering.
- Creative and digital media.
- Engineering.
- Financial services.
- Hardware and system support.
- Scientific technologies.
- Social services – children and young people.
- Social services and healthcare.
- Software development.
What apprenticeship you can do depends on what is available in your area. Talk to your teachers at school or tutors at college to find out more.
What's in it for you?
A foundation apprenticeship gives you:
- the chance to get the qualification while you’re still at school a qualification recognised by employers.
- the opportunity to visit local businesses during your course proper relevant work experience.
- the chance to meet local employers.
- job experience to improve your CV or applications for college, university or jobs.
How to find out more and apply?
Ask your school college link or guidance tutor for more information about foundation apprenticeships available in Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire. Help may also be available with travel costs.
Kick start your career with a Foundation Apprenticeship.
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Modern Apprenticeships
A Modern Apprenticeship can be undertaken by a school-leaver who is aged 16 years and over. You will be a full-time employee and your training will be undertaken while you work, meaning you can apply what you learn in a practical way. Training leads to industry-recognised qualifications including SVQs.
This is a great alternative to full-time study at College or University.
There are over 80 types of Modern Apprenticeships available including Business and Administration, Computing, Construction, Engineering, Hairdressing, Healthcare, Children and Young People, Sports and Leisure and many more.
You can find out more about Modern Apprenticeships below at apprentiship.scot.
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Graduate Apprenticeships
A Graduate Apprenticeship gives you the chance to gain a degree, up to Masters Degree level, while working. They combine academic knowledge with skills development.
To undertake a Graduate Apprenticeship you must be aged 16 years or over and able to work in Scotland. Similar to any degree you will require four Highers, however applicants will be considered on an individual basis and if you are already in work, previous experience will be considered.
There are currently Graduate Apprenticeships in a range of subjects and several Universities offer them through distanced learning, making them suitable for people based in Orkney. If you are currently working, or applying for a job, ask your employer about undertaking a Graduate Apprenticeship.
You can find out more about Graduate Apprenticeships at apprenticeships.scot.
Employment Tips
Follow our top tips for your CV, application form and interview. Your perfect job is closer than you think!
Is your CV up to scratch?
A CV tells an employer all about you – your exam results, your skills and experience, and your hobbies and interests. A good CV helps you to stand out from the crowd. Some employers ask you to fill in application forms, but many also want a copy of your CV, so keep it up to date.
Before you start writing your CV, think about your skills, experience and achievements. When you write your CV, don’t be shy. This is your opportunity to tell employers that you’re right for the job, so focus on any areas where you have developed skills, for example, through work experience, summer and part-time jobs, sports and clubs, volunteering.
Things to remember:
- Keep your CV to two sides of A4 and be concise. Make sure your CV is quick and easy to read.
- Include a personal statement. This is your opportunity to personalise your CV and make it stand out from the crowd. Briefly summarise your achievements, explain what you hope to achieve in the future, and say how the role you’re applying for fits into that plan.
- Give examples of your skills. If you say you’re good at teamwork or customer service, give an example of a time when you demonstrated those skills.
- Match your CV to the job. Look at the job description – check the required skills and adapt your examples to match them.
- Make sure your social media profiles are private. An employer could decide to Google you, so check that they won’t find anything that puts them off.
- Add the details of two people who are happy to provide a reference for you – always. check with them first that they’re ok to do this.
Think you’re finished? Check your grammar and spelling and then check it again. Then ask someone else to check it for you. It’s important that your grammar and spelling is correct.
Find out more from My world of Work about creating a great CV.
Job Applications
Employers sometimes use application forms instead of or as well as CVs, so they can ask specific questions that are related to the job vacancy. Application forms help the employer work out which applicants they want to interview.
Here are our top tips for your job application:
Do some research on the company. Read the job description carefully. Look for specific words and phrases used to describe the job and the ideal candidate. When you complete the form, put emphasis on any relevant skills and experience. Make sure your answers show that you have the skills needed for the job. If you’re a school leaver, you may not have a lot of work experience. Don’t worry about that. Experience comes from all parts of your life, not just from jobs.
Provide examples from home and school of things you’ve achieved and skills you’ve developed. Application forms are your first chance to make a good impression – check and recheck your spelling and grammar, add a covering letter. This gives you the opportunity to say why you’re interested in the job and lets you highlight how your skills are relevant for the role
Job Interviews
So you’ve been asked in for interview? Your CV or application form obviously stood out from the crowd. Now’s the time to persuade the interviewers that you’re the best person for the job.
Read Young Scot’s A to Z of Top Tips for interviews.
Remember to do some research on the employer, prepare some example answers to questions they might ask, and think of some questions that you can ask.
Good luck!
