Scotland has world class career services available for everyone, in every community. Join #ScotCareersWeek23 to help highlight them to people of all ages across Scotland. Find out how you can get involved and #ShapeTheFuture at myworldofwork.co.uk/Scottish-careers-week

There’s never been a better time to talk about and showcase your work than during Scottish Careers Week! As an employer it’s a great opportunity to explain the careers within your business and raise awareness of what you do best to a wide range of your local audiences.

So whether it’s school talks, posting on social media, reaching out and engaging with community groups or other local partners, let’s shine a light on the fantastic careers that are available in Shetland.  Get in touch with DYW Shetland on [email protected]

​In partnership, Developing the Young Workforce Shetland, Skills Development Scotland and UHI Shetland hosted the 2023 careers fair on 3rd October. There was 65 exhibitors on the day which included Universities from across Scotland and a variety of local and national employers, as well as the Armed Forces.
 
We were delighted to host Graeme Day the Scottish Government Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans MSP who visited the event. To read more about the ministers visit click here
 
The event was a huge success with over 850 attendees who were able to explore career paths and opportunities.
 
Universities said that the level of engagement from people in Shetland was fantastic, resulting in great conversations.  With one university stating, “They were some of the most well engaged, researched and confident young people I have come across”
 
Employers exhibiting at the event shared this was a great opportunity for them to network, raise awareness of their company and careers.  Some Shetland employers were able to gather applicants for vacancies through the evening.
 
Young people, parents and adults exploring opportunities, fed back they felt there was a good variety of universities and employers at the event.  The opportunity to speak directly to people to help explore a wide range of careers and their pathways was well received from attendees. People felt they were able to have their questions answered, from exhibitors that were friendly, engaging and informative. A parent fed back they had found they were not aware of the many opportunities and routes into various career paths which had opened their eyes to possibilities for their child. 
 
A huge thank you to all the exhibitors on the day and everyone who came out and supported the event attending throughout the evening.  We look forward to working with Skills Development Scotland and UHI Shetland in the future and hosting further events which are of benefit to our young people and the world of work.

 ​Graeme Day the Scottish Government Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans MSP visited Shetland on 3rd October 2023. Mr Dey spent the day learning about Developing the Young Workforce in Shetland by visiting the Anderson High School - meeting staff, pupils and DYW School Coordinators. He then went on to meet employers engaging with DYW Shetland, which included Ocean Kinetics, and staff at Shetland Museum and Archives followed by a meeting at UHI Shetland.
 
The visit concluded with his attendance at the Shetland Careers Fair which saw 850+ attendees having the opportunity to meet a large variety of local and national employers, universities and the armed forces. To read more about the careers fair click here.

see Ashley's full story below her poster

I left school in 2009, and I turned 18 that summer. School was not easy for me academically but I did receive good grades. Unfortunately I was not able to go straight into university to do my BA Social Work (honours) degree as I did not have all the entry requirements and required one more higher at a level C or above. So I worked part time for COPE Ltd in the various departments they had at the time and studied Psychology at the Shetland UHI.
 
The school academic work was hard for me throughout my time in different educational facilities. I struggled with reading and writing, predominantly grammar and spelling difficulties but I was not diagnosed with Dyslexia until I was 16 years old and doing my Highers.  Having a late diagnosis came with a mixture of feelings. I was relived to understand why I appeared to find areas around reading and writing so much harder than my peers but I was also annoyed that it had not been identified sooner so that I could get the help to achieve better academically. As I did not know this while going through my early secondary education, the difficulties I had really affected my self-esteem and confidence. Especially around the area of peer marking work and reading out loud in class. As I was undiagnosed there was no adjustments to help me and I recall class mates making fun of spelling errors I made in English class.

However once I had a diagnosis the education system did help me by giving me extra time in exams and the use of a computer. I was then reassessed at the Shetland UHI to see what adjustments they could make for me to do the course there and again more time and a computer was used. However it was not until I went to university that I got a really clear assessment. The Educational Psychologist there worked with me for a while undertaking different tasks and then really spoke through the results and provided me with documentation of this. It was then that I really understood my difficulties and what that meant compared to others as there are so many varying levels of dyslexia. As well as showing the areas of difficulty, this assessment also showed my areas of strength and how verbally I was far better at explaining and showing my level of intelligence that in written format. It was nice to hear what I was good at and not just what I couldn’t do well. The university was fantastic, putting many adjustments in place for me, from getting class information early to read through, having stickers for my assignments stating grammar and spelling should not be included in my mark, to providing equipment such as a printer and laptop as well as a proof reading service to help improve my work. However even with this, I still had to be organised giving myself enough time to get my assignments to the proof reading service and changed before the assignments had to be submitted and I had to work harder than others to read the material and be prepared for class to achieve my qualification. So while having a diagnosis can make things easier to achieve what you want, I found you still have to put in the effort and work hard to get there.
 
I have worked predominantly in the social care settings. Initially I worked for services such as COPE ltd, Eric Gray Centre and supported living and outreach. Once obtaining my Degree I worked as a Childrens and Families Social Worker for several years before taking on this roles as a Job coach for Project Search, through the Youth and Employability service.
 
I currently work as a job coach, supporting adults who have elements of additional support needs into employment. A big part of my job is finding and supporting individuals in work placements. As well as helping people understand job searching, application and interview procedures and helping them look into different areas of interest to find the right fit for them as a potential future job. I think the difference now in my job role is that I am working with individuals towards a very specific goal of achieving employment. Although there can be lots of different ways towards this and other areas of their personal lives may need to be supported at times to, the main goal always remains the same and it is interesting and rewarding to be part of those individuals’ journeys. I don’t think I did imagine I would be where I am now, not so much on the job area but in my own self-esteem and confidence. I had a lot of self-doubt and did not think I would achieve the different things I have. To be where I am now, I feel a lot of pride in the hard work I put in but also grateful for the services that helped me to get to this point. I also feel my experience helps me in supporting those I work with as showing that I to had struggles and difficulties to overcome can help people relate to each other better and I hope I can help people see that they can to achieve their goals to. 

See Sylvia's full story below her poster 

​My name is Sylvia Goodlad and I am a Senior Social Care Worker at Wastview Care Centre.
My path to get to where I am now has taken me in various directions since I left school after 5th year at the age of 16 (almost 17) to where I am now at almost 42 years old.
I enjoyed my secondary education at Aith Junior High School.  They really were the best years and best teachers.  I studied at a Credit level over 3rd and 4th year (top end of Standard Grades) and obtained very good results in my final exams. 2 1's and 6 2's.  I reluctantly decided that my next best option was to carry on my education at a higher level and I decided I would go and try 5th year at the old Anderson High School.  Living in Walls at that time, I had to go and live in the Hostel as the daily school bus home only went as far as Bixter. 
I didn't really like the change of school and to be honest I struggled with being away from home.  I got lost on many occasions and went around with the map of the school for the first few months.  I found the teachers so different from the ones at Aith.  I was very out of my comfort zone.  However I pushed through and completed 5th year with absolutely no intention of carrying on to 6th year.   My higher results had let me down.  I didn't even get a grade for one of them and only a C for English and a D for History.  I was gutted. 
I had no intentions of going 'Doon Sooth' for university and there were limited options here in Shetland at that time.  I applied to the Shetland College for a health and care course which I hoped would start a career in care and was hopeful of working in my local care centre, Wastview.  Having grown up living next to the sheltered housing scheme, I was very familiar with older folk and felt I would like to pursue this further.  I attended my very first interview for this course and was very nervous.  I struggled to answer the questions and really I just fluffed it.   The letter came soon after to say they were very sorry but I hadn't been accepted.  Another let down.
I had left school and had no idea what I was going to do next.  It all felt a bit overwhelming.  I had a good cry and then picked myself back up and pondered over my options.  I was not going to go back to school so I needed a job.  The career I wanted was off the table.  I called up my previous after school employer, Angela, from the Walls Bakery and asked if they had any work going.  Angela said 'Yes', you can start on Monday.  Relief!!.  I loved my time there.  I learned so much.  Much more than just how to pack bread.  It built my confidence and gave me a chance to learn new skills, grow my work ethic and supported me through challenging and sad times such as when my Dad died later that same year when I was 17.  It was an environment with people I knew and trusted.  The bakery was my new comfort zone. 
I worked at the bakery until I had my first child at the age of 22 in 2003.  A new chapter in my life.  I didn't go back to the bakery immediately when my maternity leave was up but financial pressures meant I went back for 15 hours a week which was plenty with a small one around.  I then started some hours working in the Walls shop and then the Post Office as well which I loved.  It was a very social job and I got to meet loads of different folk.  I learned new computer skills and with the tills and the post office counter role which was quite challenging initially.  I also decided to apply to Wastview Care Centre for some relief domestic and Kitchen work which I was successful with.  I loved these jobs and they were quite flexible being a relief role so I was able to fit them around my family.  A few of my colleagues would try and encourage me to try a social care worker role.  I would always say 'oh, I dunna ken if I wid mak a good carer'!!.  My confidence was knocked and I was scared to try it again.  They kept at me so I gave it a chance and applied.  First some relief shifts.  I absolutely loved it.  It was such a rewarding job.  I was eventually able to get a contracted post of 15 hours.  I threw myself into all the training available I was keen to improve my skills and knowledge.  Completing my SVQ 2 in 2009 was a great achievement and I was quite proud of myself.  My Mam was very proud but was not happy with me at my graduation when I refused to wear a gown.  So I promised her if I ever did my SVQ 3 I would wear one then.  I was fairly confident that this would never happen. 
I went on to have more children in 2013 and 2015.  When back at work in 2014, I decided to just concentrate on working at Wastview so I didn't return to the shop and post office after my maternity leave was finished.  My senior at work was always encouraging me to apply to start the SVQ 3 award but initially I was hesitant.  Saying 'I don't know if I would be able to do that'.  I also had a few staff members telling me that they thought I would make a good senior myself.  Again I would say 'no, I don't think I could do that'.  I continued to work away and keep learning.
2019 came, and with it later in the year an opportunity of a Senior post arose.  I thought 'oh why not!!.  I will apply for a fun and the process will be a learning curve'.  Having not done an application form for many years or an interview in long, it would give me a chance to see the process again.  I was successful in an 'Acting' senior role which was only temporary but I was excited and ready for a new challenge.  With it I started doing my SVQ 3 award.  Once completed, I duly kept my promise to my Mam and wore a graduation gown much to her delight.
Fast forward to now.  I am in a contracted senior role at Wastview.  I have almost completed my SVQ 4.  The equivalent of the third year of a degree.  I am very proud of myself and all I have achieved.  I have had amazing support from my husband (my rock) and my family who have been    there to encourage me along the way.  It may seem to have taken a long time but life sometimes gets in the way.  I always say 'what’s meant to be won't pass you by'. 
There is no right or wrong way to follow your dreams.  There are so many more opportunities in Shetland now for those who don't feel able to leave the island.  I wish the Modern Apprenticeship courses were and option for me when I left school.  Learning on the job with staff who have many years of experience is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to learn.  If your path takes you off island, that is great too.  I have never worked outside of Walls.  My home village and my happy place.