The DYW Orkney employer’s newsletter is back after a break of more than a year, and we are re-launching it with a fresh, new look.
 
This issue of the newsletter includes an overview of the second Orkney Careers Fair which was held in the Pickaquoy Centre in September, we introduce two of our team members and reflect on some of our recent activity. You can also read about some training sessions being offered to employers, as well as how employers and businesses can get involved with the Young Person's Guarantee.
 
The newsletter is now available to view online via Sway, and you can access it here.

It’s Thursday again which only means one thing, Jobs of the Week. For Jobs of the Week this week our vacancies include: Festive Colleagues with Tesco, Catering Assistant with NHS Orkney, Local Services Coordinator with Clan Cancer Support and many others.
 
Click the button below to view full details.
 
If none of these jobs suit you, you can continue your search online by using our list of some of the best job sites here.

In our last Sector Spotlight on Career Education, we hear from Findlay MacLeod, a Careers Adviser with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in Orkney.
 
After leaving school Findlay went straight into work while he planned his next steps.  He then went to Orkney College UHI to study Business Management, on completion of his degree he began working as a Trainee Careers Advisor with SDS Orkney, where he completed a Postgraduate qualification in Career Guidance and Development with the West of Scotland University.

In our next Sector Spotlight on Career Education, we hear from Gemma Mackay, who is a Careers Adviser with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Orkney.
 
An interest in social subjects at school led Gemma to study History at the University of Strathclyde.  She then applied for a postgraduate teaching qualification but wasn’t successful so came home to Orkney, where she did some work shadowing with the team at SDS Orkney and when a position opened up soon afterwards, she applied.

Our vacancies for this Thursday’s Jobs of the Week include a Receptionist at Orkney College UHI, employed by Orkney Islands Council, a Cleaner at Flotta Primary, employed by Orkney Islands Council, Silversmiths and Enameller at Ortak, Festive Colleagues at Tesco and many others.

To view, full details click on the button below.
 
​Work placements are an opportunity for young people to become familiar with working in a professional workplace, while also helping them learn about and understand the variety of jobs that are available in Orkney.

Work placements can help identify the sorts of jobs you may, or may not be interested in and can help make informed choices about your future.

This includes what subjects you should study at school, or identify the different pathways into a career such as apprenticeships or further and higher education qualifications.

Undertaking a work placement will also help you develop transferable skills which will benefit you in whatever job you may choose in the future.
 
More information on work placements can be found here. 
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Continuing our Sector Spotlight Campaign on Career Education, we hear from Kerri Liddle who is the Team Leader for Skills Development Scotland in Orkney.
 
After leaving school, Kerri originally planned to go to university, but realised she wanted to stay in Orkney so began working as a Dental Nurse, which enabled her to work alongside studying.  A move into Oral Health Education followed but looking for a change Kerri started studying with the Open University to increase her opportunities.  She then started working with Skills Development Scotland as a Personal Assistant, and while in that role was offered the chance to train as a Careers Adviser, before progressing into her current role as Team Leader.

Starting the second week of our Sector Spotlight on Career Education, we hear from Samantha Craigie who is a Careers Adviser at Skills Development Scotland Orkney.
 
Samantha left school at the end of S4 and initially studied for an Admin qualification through college and work-based learning.  She then went on to work in a variety of roles, during which time she gained Higher English through an evening class, and began studying with the Open University.  After completing her degree, Samantha worked in the careers service in Manchester.  A move back to Orkney saw her working with Skills Development Scotland as a Careers Adviser in a temporary role, before working as a Journalist for five years.  She then returned to Skills Development Scotland in a permanent post and completed her postgraduate qualification.

For Jobs of the Week this week we have a variety of jobs including two positions at The Orkney Hotel as a Receptionist and a Chef, a Personal Assistant with Enable Scotland, Autism Practitioners with Scottish Autism, Dental Receptionist with NHS Orkney and many others.

Have you ever heard of the Planning for the Future programme developed by Developing the Young Workforce Orkney and Skills Development Scotland?
 
It is a programme that has been designed to help you develop your Career Management Skills and plan what you want to do after you leave school.  It will help you with writing a CV, applying for a college course, apprenticeship or job and, preparing for an interview.  You will need these skills throughout your working life, so even if you are still studying, have a job or apprenticeships, the information in this programme will benefit you in the future. Some of the information is aimed at school pupils but, it will also be useful to anyone who has already left school and is looking for a job or applying to college. You can find our more here. 

​Concluding the first week of our Sector Spotlight on Careers Education, we hear from Charlotte Hoque, who is the DYW School Co-ordinator for Sanday, Stronsay and Westray Junior High Schools.
 
After leaving school, Charlotte gained a scholarship at the Millennium Dance College in London before working as a dance teacher for several years.  She then moved into support for learning roles within schools and colleges.  Following a move to Orkney with her family, she continued working as a Learning Support Auxiliary at Sanday Junior High School before moving into her current role.

Today’s Sector Spotlight on Careers Education features Rachel Scarth, Project Manager for Developing the Young Workforce Orkney.
 
While at school, Rachel wanted to be a journalist, but after she didn’t get into her preferred university course, had to reconsider her options.  She completed an HND in Journalism, followed by a degree in English.  During a year out travelling, Rachel wrote about her travels for a local newspaper and undertook work experience with them on her return, alongside full-time working.  Time spent working for a temp agency undertaking various admin roles led to a typist job with Grampian Police and when a job came up in their Corporate Communications Department as a Media Officer, she applied.  Rachel spent 12 years with the police in a variety of roles before returning to Orkney to take on her current role with DYW Orkney.

In our next Sector Spotlight on Careers Education, we hear from Leah Rendall, who is the DYW School Co-ordinator for Kirkwall Grammar School.
 
Leah has always wanted to work with children and young people and began her career as a Support for Learning Assistant at Stenness and Stromness Primary Schools before working at Glaitness Aurrida for over 14 years.  She then moved to Women’s Aid Orkney as a Children and Young People Outreach Worker.  She has also run her own business before returning to work in schools as an Early Years Practitioner and a Support for Learning Assistant at Papdale Primary School.

Our Sector Spotlight campaign has returned for the October break.  Over the next fortnight, we will be focusing on Careers Education, hearing from staff at Skills Development Scotland and Developing the Young Workforce Orkney.
 
We start with Andy Tait who is a Modern Apprentice Administration Assistant with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Orkney.
 
Andy left school aged 16, going to Orkney College to join their Preparation for Progression course.  This course helped him realise he wanted to work in Administration, so he went on to complete an NC in Administration, alongside working part-time at Bryan J Rendall Electrical.  Andy then worked for a few other organisations before he gained employment at Restart Employability Orkney and then joined DYW Orkney.

Our Jobs of the Week post is now live.  This week, you can find a graduate opportunity with Xodus Group in Stromness, a Receptionist/Property Assistant role with D&H Law and part-time positions with NHS Orkney, The Kirkwall Hotel and the St Magnus International Festival.

For full details on all of the vacancies and details of how to apply, click on the link below.
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If you are looking for some careers advice and guidance, the Skills Development Scotland team of Careers Advisors are on hand to help you.  You can contact the local team at the Careers Centre on Albert Street, Kirkwall, by calling (01856) 872 460 or emailing [email protected].

A series of lunchtime speakers has been running at Stromness Academy since the start of this term, giving pupils the chance to access careers information directly from employers.

Held every two weeks and organised by the school’s DYW School Co-ordinator, Lunch with an Employer lets pupils hear from local employers about the job opportunities available with their businesses, discover some of the pathways available into careers and also learn about the subjects they should study at school or skills they might need to work in the business.

This term has included speakers from NOV on Flotta and Casey Construction.