If you are participating in the U Lab online course, you may have seen this picture posted on their Facebook page.  It really made me think not only about helping young people to find their purpose, but identifying my own personal Passion – Mission – Profession – and Vocation.  If it’s that challenging for an adult who has been through education and is in employment to identify their purpose, then how hard would it be for young people with little life experience?  I feel that it is vital to start at a very young age with CIAG to help young people identify what they love to do, what they’re good at, and what career prospects are possible and available to them.

     On a recent holiday, I visited the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice.  There I saw the installation in this photo – “Changing Place, Changing Time, Changing Thoughts, Changing Future” by Maurizio Nannucci.  This resonat2ed with me and I thought it can easily relate to “Skills for Learning, Life and Work” with young people and DYW.  They “change place” in their progression from primary to secondary and further/higher education and training.  “Changing time” can relate to when learning occurs.  For some students this could be a mainstream route of primary – secondary – FE – HE – employment. But many students of all ages will not have a clear path such as this in their learning.  “Changing thoughts” can relate to changing people’s thoughts in relation to the Senior Phase.  Education and training is no longer just traditional Highers and then progression to university.  Learning can take place in apprenticeships, volunteering, activity agreements, other awards, work placements and more.  And finally “Changing future” – which is what we are all aiming to do with DYW to positively change the futures of young people in their education and employment.  Please let me know your thoughts on this.  Many thanks.  Scott