Careers Week Help Pupils Look to the Future

A week of activity to give pupils an insight into the variety of careers they can undertake when they leave school, took place at Stromness Academy at the start of February.

A feature of the school calendar since 2019, Careers Week supports S3 pupils as they make their subject choices for their fourth year.  Throughout the week, pupils learn about some of the careers available to them in Orkney and further afield and hear about the different pathways they can take into their future job.

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​The week began with a year group assembly where pupils took part in games and activities and heard from an inspirational speaker; former Stromness Academy pupil Christina Bichan, who is Director of Planning, Performance and Transformation at NHS Education for Scotland (NES).
 
Christina spoke about her personal career journey which began when she moved straight into employment from school, taking opportunities to develop qualifications, skills and knowledge, which enabled her to progress to her current role with NES.  Personal experience of the NHS drove her to start working with the organisation, and she spoke of her pride in being involved with the build of the new hospital, which opened in 2019.  Christina reminded pupils to think about their own values when considering a future career, and to take opportunities when they present themselves.
 
During the assembly, Skills Development Scotland Careers Advisers also delivered a talk and provided some activities to help young people think about their options.  The session helped pupils to better understand the role of the careers adviser and how they can help the to move on from school into employment, education or training.
 
‘Lunch with an Employer’ sessions were held throughout the week with inputs from NHS Orkney and Hamnavoe House; Kyloe Partners; Katy Firth, the Ness of Brodgar Education Officer, and Freedom Group.  These were attended by pupils from across the school.
 
A series of workplace visits also took place throughout the week, with pupils choosing from a visit to a construction site; a tour of Kirkwall Airport, a visit to a local nursery or a tour of Northlink Ferries’ ‘Hamnavoe’.  All visits gave them a chance to see ‘behind the scenes’ of a workplace, learn more about the careers available and how they can access those careers.
 
Pupils also took part in a Medical Insight Session when a GP and two medical students from Heilendi Medical Practice visited the school to deliver a skills workshop, showing pupils how to deal with a choking incident and how to use a defibrillator.  They also had a chance to test their suturing skills, and listen to a talk about working as a GP.  All pupils in S3 and those in S4 and S5 who are studying two or more sciences, were given the opportunity to attend this session. 
 
The week concluded with a careers fair held in the school, which was attended by 12 exhibitors.  The event was open to all S3-S6 pupils, with S1 and S2 pupils attending during a drop in over break-time.  The fair gave pupils a chance to speak directly with employers about the careers available with their business, what school subjects they can study to help them enter a particular career and learn more about the opportunities available such as work placements and apprenticeships.
 
Across the week S3 pupils had the opportunity to engage with 18 different organisations.  Thank you to all the employers who supported this week of activity, giving pupils and insight into some of the careers available to them.