Future is now for students
Open days can help them decide
Prospective students can get help figuring out their future at two upcoming events in Lanarkshire.
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and UCAS are having a higher education exhibition next week to let young people find out more about careers, college and university.
The event – at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility on Thursday and Friday, September 8 and 9 – will bring together representatives from higher and further education institutions in Scotland and elsewhere.
They will be on hand to offer advice and information on a variety of courses and learning pathways.
There will also be seminars on personal statements, academic references, Foundation Apprenticeships and alternative routes to higher education.
SDS’S Cheryl Ballantine said: “This year’s exhibition gives young people and their parents the opportunity to find the information their options in one place time.
“It also gives them access to experts, which is also very valuable.
“Choosing which course, university or career is one of the biggest decisions people make, so it is vital they have all the information to ensure that decision is well-informed.
“While the exhibition is aimed primarily at fifth and sixth year pupils, anyone interested in finding out about higher education opportunities, including parents, carers and college students are very welcome.”
Careers advisers from SDS will be at the free event to give impartial, one-to-one advice on options and opportunities including employment, training, apprenticeships and even volunteering.
The exhibition will run 9.30am until 3pm each day.
Meanwhile, prospective students have the chance to find out more about options at University of the West of Scotland’s Hamilton campus at an open day on Saturday, about at one from September 17. The event, which will run between 11am and 3pm, will let them speak to staff about existing and new undergraduate course developments and discuss their career interests.
New figures show that 66 per cent of UWS graduates are in professional employment six months after graduating.
Gillian Lavercombe, marketing manager for student recruitment at UWS, hopes youngsters will come along and see what the college has to offer.
She said: “The aim of this event is to provide prospective students and their advisors with information on the full range of options available at our Lanarkshire campus, so that they can make an informed choice about their future studies.”
To find out more about the Ravenscraig event, go to www.myworldofwork.co.uk/ heconventions or contact cheryl. ballantine@sds.co.uk.
And go to www.uws.ac.uk/ opendays for more on the event in Hamilton.