Students at Stromness Academy have been taking part in a careers week to inspire and inform them of the variety of jobs available to them.

The week was targeted at pupils in S3 to support them as they make their subject choices for S4.

From Monday 4th to Friday 8th February 2019 60 students took part in a series of activities. There were also talks from local employers and a keynote speech by Cameron Stout. There were  visits to local workplaces  including  a visit to the site of the new Stromness care home for pupils interested in careers in construction, care or related industries, which was provided by Orkney Builders.

Displays around the school also encouraged pupils to start thinking about how their skills, interests and the subjects they studied could help them in their future career.

Mark Berry, Guidance Teacher at Stromness Academy said:

“This Careers Week was designed to inspire and inform pupils and we were keen to embed it across all of the subjects across the school.  It is important that pupils start to make the connection between the subjects they study now and the world of work.  We hope that by hosting this week we have encouraged them to explore different careers to identify one which best suits their skills, abilities and aspirations.

The Stromness Showcase

Concluding the week was a mini-careers fair organised by Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Orkney.  Arange of businesses who are based in Stromness or who have offices located there were on show: Northvet, Wilson’s Wholesalers. Xodus, NHS Orkney and the OIC.  This event was open to pupils in S3-S6.

Rachel Scarth, Project Manager with Developing the Young Workforce Orkney, said:

“We were delighted to support Stromness Academy in their first Careers Week and help pupils in S3 to start thinking about how what they do in school can influence their ultimate career destination.

“The Stromness Showcase event was developed to help them think differently about businesses that are literally on the school’s doorstep, getting them to see the range of jobs available locally and understand more about the variety of jobs ‘behind the scenes’ of familiar businesses.

“We were delighted so many employers supported the week, either by coming along to the showcase event, or by supporting other activities across the week.We hope this week has informed pupils of the variety of jobs available in a business, and inspired them to find out more.”