Exam helpline will have lots of answers
Options and opportunities amidst results anxiety
A Stirling-based careers adviser is reminding young people not to worry ahead of receiving their exam results next week.
Skills Development Scotland careers adviser Christine Blair says there are still lots of options out there, regardless of whether their exam expectations have been met.
Around 138,000 candidates across the country will receive their National, Higher and Advanced Higher results on Tuesday, August 4.
The uncertainty this year is compounded by the fact that young people have been unable to sit actual exams because of the Covid19 lockdown and their results are instead decided by the SQA through an undisclosed formula.
Christine has worked with SDS for 18 years and has volunteered for the results helpline for 17 years. She is based at SDS’S Stirling centre in Upper Craigs.
“Young people receiving their results have had a very different experience this year,” she said.
“The helpline and their school careers advisers are there to help them, and their parents and carers - who make around a third of the calls to the helpine - to find out about all of options and opportunities available to them.”
Thousands of young people can access dedicated results support when the SDS results helpline opens on results day.
The free helpline from Scotland’s career service offers advice, information and guidance for young people and their parents and carers from 8am on results day. The number to call is 0808 100 8000.
Education Secretary John Swinney said: “Young people and their families have shown tremendous resilience in coping with the many challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and will naturally be anxious about the potential impact on results.
“You may achieve the results you worked so hard for, but if you miss out on the grades you were hoping for, there is still a huge variety of options available to you. SDS advisers will provide expert advice to help all pupils understand their future education and career choices.”
James Russell, SDS director of career information, advice and guidance operations, said: “This year is unlike any other and young people receiving results and their families may be feeling more anxious which is understandable. This is the point when their work and efforts are recognised, our advice and support is available and our message is if your results aren’t what you expected, don’t worry, you have lots of options.”
The Results Helpline will be open on August 4 and 5 from 8am to 8pm, August 6 and 7 from 9am-5pm and August 1012 from 9am-5pm. Advisers will also be available via social media for those who find that easier via myworldofwork.co.uk.
SDS’S expert careers advisers can discuss options and next steps such as course vacancies at UK colleges and universities, Confirmation and Clearing, Modern, Foundation and Graduate Apprenticeships and jobs or volunteering.
Joanna Murphy, chair of the National Parent Forum of Scotland, said: “Results day can bring about a range of feelings whether that’s nerves, anticipation, excitement or worry, and for many of us the changes this year due to Covid-19 will have heightened these emotions.
“This opportunity for young people to have a calm conversation with someone impartial and knowledgeable helps take some of the heat out of the emotion of the day, and reminds young people and their parents that, no matter what results they have received, there is always a next step available.”
To get in touch with the SDS Results Helpline via social media go to My World of Work on Facebook at facebook.com/ myworldofwork or Twitter at twitter.com/mywowscotland.
For pupils going into S5 and S6, there’s still time to choose a Foundation Apprenticeship alongside Nationals and Highers. To find out what’s available go to apprenticeships. scot or speak to an SDS careers adviser.
Our message is if your results aren’t what you expected, don’t worry, you have lots of options James Russell