Careers advisers and parents have positive influence on Scots pupils

The Herald Scotland

26-06-2025

A survey of almost 3,000 recent school leavers from across Scotland shows that eight out of ten cited parents and carers as key influencers in their career decisions.
More than half mentioned that their career adviser played a significant role.
Almost two-thirds of young people from the most deprived areas in Scotland felt their careers adviser was a key influence.
The research also revealed strong satisfaction with the careers advice young people received in school along with a desire for more support.
The young people's career ambitions research from Skills Development Scotland (SDS) focused on recent school leavers.
It provides insights on careers support; insights on school leavers' post-school preferences; influences on career decisions; future aspirations and expectations, as well as potential barriers.
SDS runs the national career service with career advisers in schools across the country.
Apart from SDS career support, young people are most likely to utilise online searches along with receiving support from teachers, lecturers, and guidance teachers at schools, colleges, or universities.
The research also gathered views on the impact of the pandemic on career ambitions and the potential impact of artificial intelligence.
On artificial intelligence, respondents gave mixed views with many saying it wouldn't affect their career choices or were unsure of its impact.
Some expressed concerns about the artificial intelligence limiting job opportunities, providing inaccurate information or fostering a reliance on technology. However, others saw the potential to assist with tasks, generate ideas, and create new job opportunities.
Pupils shared ambitions for careers across a range of sectors – with construction, engineering, creative industries and medicine or health coming out on top.
Pay remained the most important factor for future careers, followed by job satisfaction, work-life balance, and learning new skills.
Skills Development Scotland works with partners to understand the views of S1 to S6 pupils; parents and carers; and apprentices across Scotland.
Partners who supported the young people's career ambitions research included Scottish Government, Developing the Young Workforce, Education Scotland, Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, College Development Network, Youthlink, Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Qualifications Authority, Edinburgh Napier University, Young Scot, and the Open University.
Skills Development Scotland careers advisers work in partnership with every state secondary school in Scotland, delivering career information, advice and guidance to enable young people from S1-S6 to develop their career management skills.
Throughout their time at school and beyond, pupils also gain information and support through My World of Work website, which is Scotland's online career information and advice service.
There is also a dedicated area for parents and carers on My World of Work that offers information to help those career conversations with their young person, understand skills in demand from employers, and suggests ways to explore the different routes and pathways that young people can take.
Beyond school, SDS advisers operate from a network of SDS centres and community locations nationwide, offering expert CIAG services to customers of all ages.
Head of careers information advice and guidance at SDS, Dave McCallum, said: 'It's never been more important for young people to have expert and impartial careers advice.
'It's essential to understand the views of young people so that we can work together with parents and carers, schools and partners to provide the best possible support.
The voice and experiences of young people are at the heart of everything we do.
'It is encouraging that young people have felt supported and motivated by the career services provided at school. We aim to continue building on this foundation.'
Find out more about the Young People's Career Ambitions research within the Evaluation and Research area of the SDS website: skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk
Partnership gives Fife teens boost on the career ladder
TWO female Fifers are building their construction careers thanks to a partnership between the local careers service and a major employer.
Emily Morrison and Lara Montgomery were given the chance to gain work experience at the development site for the new Fife College Dunfermline Learning Campus, which has cemented their ambition to work in construction.
The opportunities were created thanks to connections made between Skills Development Scotland (SDS) careers advisers in Fife and international infrastructure group Balfour Beatty.
(Image: SDS Careers Adviser Emma Balfour; Lara Montgomery; Emily Morrison; Balfour Beatty's Bethany Welsh)
Careers Adviser Emma Balfour knew the opportunity would be invaluable to both 17 year-old Emily and 16 year-old Lara, who she met as pupils at St Columba's High.
Lara, now studying joinery at Fife College would get hands on experience whilst young carer Emily, who has just left school, was unsure about her future.
Emma explained: 'In school, Lara came for advice and help around applying for college courses. Woodwork was the only subject she enjoyed and so she was keen to progress in that and we successfully worked together to get her a college place.
After that, she visited me at the careers office to explain that, whilst she liked her course, she wanted to know if there were other options open to her within construction.
'Emily didn't feel like she fitted in at school. I would often meet with her at other locations and built up a good relationship with her, setting her up with a Young Carers Card and helping her apply for a part time job at McDonalds. Whilst she knew she would like to do something practical as a career, she didn't have any qualifications to apply for college. I thought the experience at the campus would give her a fantastic insight into construction careers.'
Both teens jumped at the chance and Emily, from Kelty, gained two weeks experience on site while Lara, from Dunfermline, was able to fit in four days of work around her studies.
Emily said: 'I was going to leave school with no plan. I was so confused and I didn't have a clue about my future until I spoke to Emma. She thought a hands-on job would suit me, but I'd never thought of construction before, even though my dad thought I would do well in that type of work.'
Lara said: 'Getting this chance through Emma and Balfour Beatty was amazing and it has helped me to realise that I'm on the right career path.'
During their time on site, Emily and Lara experienced the wide range of roles involved in the project to show the variety of jobs available within construction.
Emily and Lara were accredited by the Engineering Development Trust, to acknowledge their achievements, and their efforts have also led to both getting offers of paid work experience from Balfour Beatty.
Bethany Welsh, Balfour Beatty's Social Impact Advisor who oversaw the placements, said: 'We are proud to have supported the development of emerging talent through the Dunfermline campus project, providing valuable opportunities for young female professionals to grow within the industry.
'Through close collaboration with our team, Lara and Emily have demonstrated outstanding commitment, enthusiasm, and adaptability, seamlessly integrating into the workplace. As we near the project's completion, we remain dedicated to fostering future opportunities and supporting the next generation of talent in the sector.'
Pupils can speak to their SDS careers adviser at school and, for careers support at any age, visit myworldofwork.co.uk or call 0800 917 8000 to find out about support in your area