Advice to Young People Receiving Results – from the Employers’ Forum

Operating across twenty regions in Scotland, DYW helps to prepare young people for the world of work. We are employer-led, meaning that industry insight drives our efforts to help all young people in Scotland achieve a positive post-school destination. Today, some of the DYW Employers’ Forum share their advice to inspire and reassure young people receiving their results.

​Sandy Begbie – CEO of Scottish Financial Enterprise, Chair of DYW Scotland Employers’ Forum & the Young Person’s Guarantee
​When Sandy Begbie CBE FRSE left school aged 17, a career in finance was not high up on his list. It was only after having encountered setbacks to his original career goal of joining the police force, that Sandy considered a career in banking.

​Work-based learning opportunities allowed Sandy to work his way up in the financial sector, leading him to become CEO of Scottish Financial Enterprise. Not only that, he is the Chair of both DYW Scotland’s Employers’ Forum and the Young Person’s Guarantee.
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To inspire young people receiving their results and show that there’s #NoWrongPath, Sandy shares his advice:

“You don’t need to make decisions today that you think that is going to shape you for the rest of your life. There will be opportunities that come along, and I would really encourage you to think about them…

… You can plan as much as you want but ultimately, that path that you end up taking will be driven by your own experiences and your own capability. “
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​Elma Murray – Deputy Chair of DYW Scotland Employers’ Forum
​Whilst Elma Murray initially aspired to study accountancy at university, she did not achieve the required grades. As an alternative, Elma studied IT at college which helped her to prepare for her future career in local government.

​After gaining experience in a range of departments, Elma worked her way up to become CEO of North Ayrshire Council – a role which spanned across ten of her thirty-six years in local government. After a successful career despite initial setbacks, Elma shared  a heartfelt message to those receiving their results:

“Congratulations to everybody that’s received results today. Well done! I know, however, that for some of you, it might not be what you were looking for, or what you wished for… and that happened to me too. So, my message to everybody is to look for the opportunities are out there because plenty of them exist, and remember, there is no wrong path.
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Tavish Scott – CEO of Salmon Scotland and DYW Employers’ Forum Board Member​
Whilst Tavish may not have landed his initial dream job of becoming a pilot, he did however, end up becoming CEO of Salmon Scotland. Alongside having a successful career as a CEO, Tavish also influences and shapes the future workforce with Sandy, Elma, and other DYW Employers’ Forum board members. To inspire and reassure young people receiving their results, Tavish reflects on the advice that he would give to his younger self:

“My advice to my younger self is to remember that when I found something that really interested me at school, or when I was going through college, to stick with it, to stay with it, because it excited my brain and it made me interested in that particular subject…

…So, if that something emerges now at school or only through college life or when you get into the world of work, grab onto it. Hold onto it and make sure it’s part of your future because the more you’re interested in something, the more likely you are to excel in pursuing that.”
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​DYW Scotland Employers’ Forum Board Members
The DYW Employers’ Forum is made up of twenty chairs who represent our regional employer-led boards across Scotland, covering a range of sectors. Jane MacLeod, solicitor at MacLeod Construction Ltd and Dawn-Anne McAneny, Director of Data Pepper Limited also got involved to show young people that there’s #NoWrongPath:

Jane MacLeod shares how she left school to study at university, and is now a lawyer. Dawn-Anne McAneny shares her advice to young people receiving their results:
"There is so much help available so that you can find your way to the world of work - your way."

​Advice from Organisations
If you have any questions or would like further support regarding your results, there are many organisations who can help you:

• Skills Development Scotland/My World of Work Results Helpline: 0800 917 8000 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm)
  
• SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) Candidate Advice Line: 0345 279 1000 (Tuesday 6th August, 8am – 6pm and Wednesday 7th – Friday 9th August, 8:30am – 5pm)
  
• SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework): 0800 917 8000​
  

Good luck on your next step and remember, there’s #NoWrongPath!