Pupils in Renfrewshire have been receiving support from careers advisers following exam results day yesterday.
Hundreds of students across the country have been phoning in to the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) helpline for advice about UK colleges and universities, Confirmation and Clearing, apprenticeships, jobs, volunteering and back to school options for Scottish pupils, parents and carers.
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
SDS West region careers adviser Jennifer Whelan, based in Paisley, said: “This is the 30th year of the Results Helpline which people can call on 0808 100 8000, and once again it’s proving to be a vital in-demand service to support young people and their families at what can be a really anxious time for many.”
According to SDS more than 70 per cent of the 500 calls received on the first day were from pupils, and 44 per cent of callers were phoning because they received lower grades than expected.
More than 30 per cent of the options discussed related to the appeals process, while the rest were mainly looking for guidance about course options at colleges and universities or wanting to know more about the huge range of apprenticeships now available in Scotland.
Jennifer added: “It’s such a rewarding experience working on the helpline. Being able to help young people explore what their options are is a real privilege. You feel like you are really making a difference.”
She was also keen to point out that careers help for people in the West of Scotland is available all year round from SDS, and the wider service is for people of all ages not just for school leavers.
“We have walk in career centres in Barrhead, Clydebank, Dumbarton, Glasgow, Greenock, Kirkintilloch and Paisley covering our West of Scotland region.
“Customers can get information, advice and guidance about jobs, the local labour market, training programmes and apprenticeships, as well as how to prepare for interviews and help with CVs and applications.”
Renfrewshire Council say that this year the overall results for S4 pupils, at National 4 and National 5 level, are similar to those during the pandemic, and higher than the results from the last exam sittings in 2019.
In S5, attainment has increased in almost all indicators from 2019.
Over a third of pupils achieved three or more awards at Higher level.
Whilst, a quarter of S6 pupils achieved a pass at Advance Higher level.
Download the FREE Renfrewshire Live app now for all the latest news, features and sport in your area. Available on both Android and Apple. Download here: smarturl.it/RenfrewLiveSocial
