Watchdog praises careers service

A Cambuslang careers service has been rated very good by education watchdogs.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) careers services on Cambuslang Main Street scored grades of very good or good across all categories in an Education Scotland review published on Friday.

The national skills body offers free careers advice at Rutherglen and Cambuslang’s three high schools, as well as careers centres and community venues.

Assessors spent a week in January asking staff, customers and partner agencies in South Lanarkshire about their experiences of the SDS service.

Adult customers, including those facing redundancy, told inspectors they rated the professionalism of SDS careers staff highly, especially their understanding of individual need.

The review shows teachers, lecturers and partners consider SDS careers staff to be approachable and helpful and have a positive impact on the lives of young people in the area.

And figures show the numbers of young people going into work, training, further or higher education in the area has increased in the last three years.

But the review also stated the careers service could be better integrated with the curriculum at some schools.

SDS team leader Eric Foy said:“The review reflects the effective support we are offering to local communities across South Lanarkshire and the unique link our careers staff can offer to national skills priorities.

“South Lanarkshire has much to offer and I know the hard work of our careers staff is helping to open the eyes of young people to the opportunities on their doorstep.”

SDS and its partners are now expected to produce an action plan to address the main points for action raised in the report.

A follow-up visit will be carried out in 18 months.