World of Work

Partnership Working

Tobermory High School works closely with Skills Development Scotland to provide up-to-date careers advice and support for our pupils.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is the national skills body and we deliver Scotland’s career service. Our careers advisers deliver career information, advice and guidance in your school to pupils from S1-S6.

We are there to help you understand the world of work and to develop the Career Management Skills you need as you move through school.

Your school careers adviser is Ceitidh and you can get in touch with her at Ceitidh.Galbraith@sds.co.uk or calling our Oban office on 01631 254 258. You might meet with Ceitidh in your class at a group activity, at a careers event or at a one-to-one appointment. Ceitidh is a fluent Gaelic speaker and she is therefore also able to offer our fluent Gaelic pupils careers advice through the medium of Gaelic.

Your careers adviser can speak to you about:

• Finding out about yourself, your strengths and skills

• Making subject choices

• Different types of careers and how to research them

• Developing the types of skills that are useful in a job

• Routes into careers, including apprenticeships

• Building and developing your networks

• Creating CVs

• Making applications and applying for courses

You can also use our online service, My World of Work. Beyond school, our advisers operate from a network of SDS centres and community locations nationwide, offering expert support to customers of all ages. You can find your nearest centre at

myworldofwork.co.uk/centres.

Find out more about our services at skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk.

Ceitidh Galbraith

SDS Schools Career Advisor

Pupils can also discuss their future pathways with Mrs Kirsten Macfarlane (PT Wellbeing & Inclusion) in school.

Support for Parents and Carers

Everyone wants their child to have a happy and successful future. And research shows that as a parent or carer you have the biggest influence on your child’s career decisions.

My Kid’s Career offers advice to help you give your child the support they need including:

• Jobs in demand – find out where the biggest job opportunities are in Scotland, now and in the future

• Routes and pathways – discover the different routes into those careers

• Career discussions – get hints and tips on speaking to your child about opportunities at the times that matter

Smart choices, bright futures at mykidscareer.com.

Careers Fair

Tobermory High School hosts an annual Careers Fair, organised in conjunction with DYW Argyll & Bute and Skills Development Scotland.

The Careers Fair is an opportunity for pupils to find out more about careers, by visiting our Marketplace where they can find out about the work our guests do, what they enjoy about their work, the pathway they followed to get there, and the experience and skills needed.

Pupils also have the chance to participate in workshops run by our visitors, giving a more in-depth and interactive look about what has inspired them, how they achieved their goals, as well as the practicalities of their line of work.

In the past we have welcomed local charities, businesses and training opportunities, colleges, and universities, as well as those from further afield.

Our most recent Careers Fair took place in August 2024.

College and University Fair

In November 2024, as a result of the success of our annual Careers Fair, we hosted a College and Careers Fair in the school for pupils in S4-S6, organised in conjunction with DYW Argyll & Bute. The pupils heard presentations from the University of the Highlands & Islands (UHI), Edinburgh Napier University, St Andrews University and the University of Aberdeen, as well as a virtual presentation from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). The pupils then got the chance to speak to our university guest speakers and browse through their prospectuses, as well as prospectuses from a number of other colleges and universities. This was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to find out more about possible next steps for when they leave school. Like our Careers Fair, we plan to make this an annual event too, and we look forward to welcoming more colleges and universities to the school in the future.

Digital World

Digital World promotes the skills and training needed to work in Scotland’s tech sector. Through case studies, and online learning tools, the site inspires school pupils to become digital humans, people who are able to challenge convention and make a real difference in the world through technology and creativity.

Visit www.digitalworld.net to find out more!

Apprenticeships.scot

Apprenticeships.scot is your one-stop shop for apprenticeships. You can find out how to build the experience and skills that employers want to see. And you can search and apply for apprenticeship vacancies across Scotland in a wide range of industries.

No matter what stage you’re at, apprenticeships can help you get set for a bright future.

• Foundation Apprenticeships: kick start your career while you’re still at school

• Modern Apprenticeships: work, learn and earn and get the skills you need

• Graduate apprenticeships: get a job, get paid and get a degree at the same time

Visit apprenticeships.scot to find the right apprenticeship for you.

S4 Work Placement

At the end of S4, all pupils complete a week of work experience.

This gives them a taster of the world of work and allows them to apply the skills they have learned across the curriculum in a workplace setting.

Pupils plan for the work placement during PSE, reviewing their career aspirations and identifying their learning goals, as well as learning about health and safety in the workplace.

Following their work experience, pupils reflect on what they learned during their placement and review their career aspirations in light of this.

This contributes to the Level 5 Personal Development: Self and Work Unit, accredited by SQA.

S6 World of Work Trip

The trip is open to pupils returning to school for S6.
The aim of the trip is to raise awareness of future university and college destinations, and it allows pupils to experience different cities and campuses, as well as giving them a feel for independent living.

Pupil Led Planning

This is based on their subject interests, skills, careers plans, and where they are interested in studying in the future.

After cancellation of our 2020 trip due to Covid Restrictions our 2021 Trip was attended virtually, however in 2019 we visited:

University of Stirling
Scotland's Rural College (Oatridge)
Edinburgh Napier University
Heriot Watt University
University of Edinburgh
Queen Margaret University
University of Dundee
Abertay University
Glasgow Caledonian University
University of Strathclyde
University of the West of Scotland

The Masterchef Challenge!

Pupils are given a budget to cook a meal in groups of 3-4
After shopping, they cook their own meal and submit a plate for tasting by staff
Points and prizes are available!

Reality of Student Life

During the trip pupils have the opportunity, where possible, to tour student accommodation as well as the on-campus facilities.
They have the chance to meet with student ambassadors to find out what it is really like to be student.
Pupils also participate in campus tours and have the opportunity to meet staff and tutors.

Sustained Positive Destinations

The trip helps S6 pupils make informed choices about their future pathways.

My World of Work is your online career information and advice service and it’s packed full of activities and tools 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.

Register today for an account or log-in. Keep using the site as you go through school.

Respect, Resilience, Confidence, Collaboration and Creativity

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