Skills Development Scotland
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) support pupils, parents and teachers with impartial career information advice and guidance, through a range of different services. Sandwick Junior High School’s lead Careers Adviser is Katie Clubb.
Our main focus in the school is meeting with S4 pupils where we look at career planning, exploring options and developing their Career Management Skills – exploring areas such as Self, Strengths, Horizons and Networks and setting agreed actions. However, we can meet with any pupil at any age or stage if they would like to meet with their Careers Adviser.
We also deliver group sessions which will take place in all year groups throughout the academic year. We also support the school with employability sessions, such as CV workshops, interview preparation and help with personal statements/applications. In the months leading up to subject choice decisions we work closely with S3, offering a subject choice appointment for every pupil. Parents are also more than welcome to attend this if they would like to. Although we focus on the S3 cohort regarding subject choices, we are more than happy to support any pupil with their decisions. SDS also attend Parent’s Evenings, so this is a great opportunity to meet us, find out more about how we work in the school and ask any questions.
SDS also have a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Engagement Adviser who works across all schools in Shetland from P5 – S3. Emma Chittick, delivers sessions which help engage pupils in STEM subjects by applying them to the world of work, and works closely with the school careers advisers to also encourage and support pupils in their career planning. If you would like to speak to Emma more her contact details are emma.chittick@sds.co.uk.
SDS have advisers based around all schools in Shetland, so if your child is moving onto the Anderson from Sandwick School, they will also have access to careers information, advice and guidance throughout S5 and S6. We also have our office in Charlotte House, Lerwick, where we provide an all age service, helping with career planning and employability – CVs/cover letters, applications and interview preparation.
Complimenting the SDS advisers in school is our various digital platforms. Everyone can access Skills Development Scotland’s online careers information and advice service – My World of Work www.myworldofwork.co.uk. It offers a range of self-help tools and provides useful articles and video clips. Parents and carers are also reminded that there is a Parent Zone, with lots of useful information on how to support their child – http://parents.myworldofwork.co.uk/, as well as our new parents and carers website – https://mykidscareer.com/.
MAKING AN APPOINTMENT
Appointments can be made in a variety of different ways. If Katie is in school and you would like to speak to her or make an appointment, then drop by her room. This is down in the Pupil Support/ASN department.
Or you can email Katie on katie.clubb@sds.co.uk.
Or get in touch through your Pupil Support teacher, Mr Manson
The same would go for any parents/carers looking to get in touch. And a reminder that Katie is at all parents evenings and additional appointments can be made through her then.
