Careers | Mearns Castle High School

Skills Development Scotland

Careers Advice in Mearns Castle High School

Skills Development Scotland is Scotland’s careers service.

Our qualified Careers Advisers are working in schools and careers centres across the whole of Scotland.

Your SDS Careers Adviser is Chris Doyle and you can get in touch with them through the school.

Your SDS Careers Adviser will be there for you all through school, helping you get ready for what you’ll do when you leave.

Some people think Careers Advisers are here to tell you what to do. Not true! And they won’t say ‘no’ or ‘you can’t’ either.

They will help you to think about what’s best for your future. And they will be there when you need them to back you up while you figure it out.

One of the main things your Careers Adviser will help you do is develop your Career Management Skills, which are the skills you’ll need to make your career a success.

You’ll take part in groupwork sessions with your Careers Adviser, as well as having the chance of one-to-one time. They’re also available for drop-in sessions.

You can speak to Chris or book appointments during the following times.

08.15 – 08.45, 12.40 – 13.00
Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays only

At the Mearns Castle High School Careers Room, Health Suite.

Chris can be contacted at chris.doyle@sds.co.uk or Tel: 0141 577 2300

SDS Careers Advisers will also be able to support your parents, carers and teachers when it comes to talking about careers.

You can also visit our careers website My World of Work.

Beyond school, you can speak to our expert advisers in any of our SDS centres or community venues nationwide. We help people of all ages. You can find your nearest centre at myworldofwork.co.uk/centres.

My World of Work

My World of Work is your careers website and it’s packed full of tools and information to help you confidently make the best decisions for you.

There’s lots to do and explore and the more you tell the site about yourself, the more career ideas you’ll get just for you.

• Follow your ‘to do’ list which guides you through the site as you go through school

• Find out more about yourself with About Me, Strengths, and Skills Explorer tools

• Explore career suggestions matched to your personality

• Learn about routes into careers such as courses, training, and apprenticeships

• Discover where your option choices could take you

• Record and understand your skills and achievements

• Get help with CVs, applications, and interviews

Discover and explore what your future could be at myworldofwork.co.uk

Support for parents and carers

My World of Work also offers a dedicated section for parents and carers, designed to help you with career conversations.

It is packed with information such as the industries offering exciting opportunities in Scotland and the different routes into careers.

And if you are looking with support with planning and managing your own career, the site can help you understand your skills, find and apply for a job, discover learning and training, and more.

Visit myworldofwork.co.uk

Apprenticeships

Foundation Apprenticeships

Foundation Apprenticeships can set pupils up for a big future with the skills employers need in some of Scotland’s most exciting and fastest growing industries.

A Foundation Apprenticeship is an option choice that allows pupils to get real industry experience while they are still at school.

Choose a Foundation Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6 (the same level as a Scottish Higher) in S5 or S6, available in 12 subjects such as Engineering, Scientific Technologies, and Software Development.

There are also pilot SCQF Level 4 and 5 Foundation Apprenticeships in selected schools, for pupils from S3 to S6 in Construction, Automotive and Hospitality.

Here is a quick guide to Foundation Apprenticeships covering what to expect and how they differ from other school subjects.

Visitapprenticeships.scot/foundation to find out what’s available and to apply online. 

Apprenticeships.scot

Apprenticeships.scot is the place to go for apprenticeships in Scotland with all the information you need on how to become a Foundation, Modern or Graduate Apprentice.

Search and apply for apprenticeship vacancies across Scotland in a wide range of industries and create an online account so it’s straightforward to submit job applications. You can also sign up to the job alert to get the latest job vacancies in your email inbox each week.

No matter what stage you’re at, apprenticeships can help you get set for a bright future.

Foundation Apprenticeships: get industry experience, the skills employers need, and a recognised qualification while you’re still at school
Modern Apprenticeships: work, earn and learn and gain skills, experience, and qualifications along the way
Graduate Apprenticeships: get a paid job in key sectors, and gain industry experience while you work towards a degree

Visit apprenticeships.scot to find the right apprenticeship for you.

Digital World

Digital World provides information on the skills and training needed to work in Scotland’s tech sector.

Through case studies, and online learning tools, the site inspires school pupils to become digital humans, people who are able to challenge convention and make a real difference in the world through technology and creativity.

Visit digitalworld.net to find out more.

Social Media

Our social media channels provide the latest content and careers support – ideal for pupils and their parents and carers.

If your school is using any of these channels, please follow us and share:

My World of Work

Twitter – @mywowscotland

Facebook – /myworldofwork

Instagram – /mywowscotland

YouTube – @MyWorldofWork

Apprenticeships.scot

Twitter – @apprentice_scot

Facebook – /ScottishApprenticeships