Skills Development Scotland lauds isles careers service

Careers information, advice and guidance services across Shetland have been praised by education watchdogs.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) careers services scored positively with ratings of “very good” or “good” across all categories in an Education Scotland review.

Assessors spent a week in June asking staff, customers and external agencies about their experiences of SDS careers services. In the review published today all customers and partners reported that services were accessible, and were positive about the range on offer to meet their needs.

The enthusiasm of SDS staff is also highlighted, as is their ability to establish proactive and productive relationships with a wide range of customers.

Partnership working is a key theme throughout the review. The work of SDS to co-ordinate provision across a range of agencies to ensure an appropriate service for customers, minimising duplication and maximising resources, skills and expertise is just one example of good practice that is picked out.

So too is collaboration to increase Modern Apprenticeship opportunities, and the work of SDS managers in taking into account local priorities when working to meet the needs of key partners.

The enhancement of SDS services with the introduction of My World of Work Live! at Mareel in Lerwick, use of social media, and regular work with BBC Radio Shetland were also highlighted as examples of innovation and good practice.

SDS area manager Seonag Campbell said: “The team here in Shetland work hard day in and day out to build strong and effective working relationships to support young people and the wider community, and I’m pleased to see the quality, integrity and importance of that work recognised in the review.

“We look forward to continuing to work with partners to build on our successes and the areas highlighted for development.”

SDS operations director Danny Logue added: “I want to thank all the staff in Shetland for their continued hard work and dedication, the positive outcomes in this report are as much about their personal contribution as about our work as an organisation.”