School Leavers Plan for the Future

Planning for the Future gave pupils the chance to hear from an employer about what they looked for when recruiting.

A school leavers programme to help young people plan what they want to do when they leave school, was recently held in Stromness and Kirkwall.

Planning for the Future, which was developed and is delivered in partnership by Skills Development Scotland and DYW Orkney, is aimed at pupils who will be leaving school at the end of this academic year and need support to take their next step.

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Two, two-day sessions were recently held in Stromness, for pupils from Stromness Academy, and Kirkwall, for pupils from Kirkwall Grammar School.  In total, 27 pupils attended the programme.

The programme helps young people to plan what they want to do when they leave school and develop the skills, they need to write a CV, apply for a job, complete an application form and prepare for a job or college interview.

Pupils are also given the chance to speak to local organisations and learning providers, about the options available to them when they leave school.  These include, apprenticeships, college courses and employment opportunities.  During the programme, pupils were able to learn more about the support available from Orkney College UHI, CITB, Jobcentre Plus and Employability Orkney, among others.  This was done in a networking session where pupils were given a series of questions to ask the providers, so they could develop their communication skills.

On day two, local employers were invited to speak to pupils.  They discussed their recruitment processes, the skills they require and what they look for at different stages of the process, such as on a CV or an application form and at interview.

The programme concluded with mock interviews, when pupils were given the chance to meet with employers and answer some questions which could come up in an actual interview.

Feedback from employers was very positive, with them telling us pupils were, polite and engaged and able to articulate their skills and experience confidently and clearly.

Thank you to all the providers and employers who supported this programme, and the pupils who attended and participated.