Skills Development Scotland advisers support students with their career management skills.
Visit the Skills Development Scotland website.
Career support in school
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is the national skills agency, and they deliver Scotland’s career service.
SDS careers advisers deliver career information, advice and guidance in schools to pupils from S1-S6. They are there to help you understand the world of work and to develop the career management skills you need as you move through school and beyond.
Your school careers advisers are Sandra Fleming and Amanda Bennie.
Sandra is in school on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Amanda is in school on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Careers interviews are held in the Guidance Base or in Room G145.
There are careers drop-ins at lunchtimes for S1-S6 pupils on the above days.
You might meet your careers adviser with your class at a group activity, at a careers event, or at a one-to-one appointment.
Your careers adviser can speak to you about:
- understanding and developing yourself, your strengths, and your skills
- making your option choices
- career choices
- courses, training, and volunteering
- CVs, applications, and interviews
- apprenticeships
- local and national job opportunities.
You can also visit Scotland’s careers website My World of Work.
Beyond school, anyone can speak to expert advisers in SDS centres or community venues nationwide. They can help people of all ages and at all stages of their career. Find out where to meet them near you.
My World of Work
My World of Work is Scotland’s careers website and it’s packed full of tools and information to help you confidently make the best decisions for you.
There’s lots to do and explore and the more you tell the site about yourself, the more career ideas you’ll get just for you.
- Find out more about yourself with Animal Me and the Strengths and Skills Discovery tools
- Explore career suggestions matched to your personality
- Learn about routes into careers such as courses, training, and apprenticeships
- Discover where your option choices could take you
- Celebrate your achievements and build a library of your skills and successes
- Get help with CVs, applications, and interviews
Register for an account today and keep using the site as you go through school.
Discover and explore what your future could be on the My World of Work website.
Support for parents and carers
My World of Work also offers a dedicated section for parents and carers, designed to help you with career conversations.
It’s packed with information such as the industries offering exciting opportunities in Scotland, and the different routes into careers.
And if you are looking with support with planning and managing your own career, the site can help you understand your skills, find and apply for a job, discover learning and training, and more.
Visit the My World of Work website
Apprenticeships
Foundation Apprenticeships
Foundation Apprenticeships can set pupils up for a big future with the skills employers need in some of Scotland’s most exciting and fastest growing industries.
A Foundation Apprenticeship is an option choice that allows pupils to get real industry experience while they are still at school.
Choose a Foundation Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6 (the same level as a Scottish Higher) in S5 or S6, available in 12 subjects such as Engineering, Scientific Technologies, and Software Development.
There are also pilot SCQF Level 4 and 5 Foundation Apprenticeships in selected schools, for pupils from S3 to S6 in Construction, Automotive and Hospitality.
Here is a quick guide to Foundation Apprenticeships covering what to expect and how they differ from other school subjects.
Visit Apprenticeships.scot to find out what’s available and to apply online.
Apprenticeships.scot
Apprenticeships.scot is the place to go for apprenticeships in Scotland with all the information you need on how to become a Foundation, Modern or Graduate Apprentice.
Search and apply for apprenticeship vacancies across Scotland in a wide range of industries and create an online account so it’s straightforward to submit job applications. You can also sign up to the job alert to get the latest job vacancies in your email inbox each week.
No matter what stage you’re at, apprenticeships can help you get set for a bright future.
- Foundation Apprenticeships: get industry experience, the skills employers need, and a recognised qualification while you’re still at school
- Modern Apprenticeships: work, earn and learn and gain skills, experience and qualifications along the way
- Graduate Apprenticeships: get a paid job in key sectors, and gain industry experience while you work towards a degree
Visit apprenticeships.scot to find the right apprenticeship for you.
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EDC Senior Phase
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You can find senior phase information for pupils, parents and carers of young people at school on the East Dunbartonshire Council website. This provides information on a wide range of the opportunities available to young people both in school and beyond.
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UCAS Applications
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Our UCAS information evening was held in September 2021. This was for the parents/carers of S5 and S6 pupils who intend to apply to university this year. An overview of the application process was given, along with specific information regarding course research and personal statements. Mrs Kerr highlighted the importance of meeting specific deadlines and these can be found, along with other useful websites, in the presentation from the evening.
The UCAS student guide can also be accessed here.
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S2 Option Choices
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The S2 into S3 Option Choice process takes place in March each year. Pupils will be provided with information detailing the options available to pupils for study in S3. Pupils who are unsure of which subjects to take can discuss their choices with their subject teachers, Guidance teachers or year head. An information evening for pupils and parents/carers will take place prior to the completion of Option Choice Forms. Option Forms will be issued to pupils through a link on Satchel. Further information is available on the S2 Curricular Pathways Presentation 2024 – 2025.
Further information on the S2 into S3 subject option process can be found in the S2 into S3 Subject Option Booklet and in the S2 into S3 Option Choice form.
The Nationals in a Nutshell website also provides a range of useful information to assist pupils and their parents/carers to make informed decisions about Option Choices.
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S3 Option Choices
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In S3 pupils must make choices about which of their nine S3 subjects they will continue with in S4. In S4 pupils generally undertake 7 subjects at National 4 and/or National 5. A link to the option form will be available through Satchel.
Pupils must select one subject from columns A - E and two further subjects from the final list. Pupils can discuss their choices with their Guidance teacher or Year Head.
Further information on the S3 into S4 subject option process can be found in the S3 into S4 Subject Option Booklet.
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Senior Phase Option Choices
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Pupils in S4 and S5 begin planning for S5 and S6 in January each year. Pupils who are unsure of which subjects to take can discuss their choices with their subject teachers, Guidance teachers or year head. Please use the link below to find out more about the options available in the Senior Phase.
Senior Phase Programme Information
Further information on the S4/5 into S5/6 subject option process can be found in the S4/5 into S5/6 Subject Option Booklet.
Pupils will receive a link to the S4 into S5 or S5 into S6 Option Choice Forms in January each year. Links to the Option Forms are issued through Satchel. An Information Evening for pupils and parents/carers is held in January each year. This provides information on the Option Choice process and the options open to pupils in the Senior Phase. The presentation from this year’s Information Evening is available by clicking on the link below.
Senior Phase Curricular Pathways Information Evening Presentation
Senior phase pupils also have the option of applying for a Vocational College class or Foundation Apprenticeship. Further information can be found by clicking on the link below.
Vocational Colleges FAQ
For pupils currently in S5 and making option choices, please find further information regarding the options process and the new additional courses available for next session 24-25:
