Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Careers advice for veterans at busy gathering
IAN BUNTING
More than 60 people attended a recent careers event for Lanarkshire veterans, their families and the families of serving personnel.
The gathering was organised by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), who deliver Scotland’s careers service, in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau, Department for Work & Pensions and Routes to Work.
Those attending had a chance to get career information, advice and guidance, meet local employers and find out about local vacancies, volunteering and support.
North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Hayton Coulthard, Security Scotland and Virtue Recruitment were among the employers with vacancies who attended on the day at the Motherwell event.
A wide range of charities and support services including Armed Services Advice Project, Business Gateway, NL Leisure & Culture, the Venture Trust, Veterans First Point and Veterans Lanarkshire were also there to talk about support and volunteering opportunities.
SDS careers advisers were on hand throughout the event to offer career information, advice and guidance, and talk through options with all those attending.
June Weir is team leader for the SDS careers advice team in North Lanarkshire and a veterans champion within the organisation.
She said: “All of the exhibitors who attended the event know this is a group who offer valuable skills and experience.
“We’ve had great feedback from veterans, their families and families of serving personnel who attended expressing how happy they were to find an event tailored so specifically for them and their needs.
“Many who attended thought before the event existing medical conditions would make it a challenge for them to find opportunities, but they now know just how many options they have, and all the agencies in Lanarkshire who can support them.
“Skills Development Scotland careers advisers are on hand year-round to offer career information, advice and guidance from our centres across Lanarkshire.
“And you can find dedicated information and advice on Scotland’s careers website My World of Work.”
Career information and advice is available online via SDS’s career information and advice web service at myworldofwork.co.uk.
It has a whole section dedicated to supporting those leaving the Armed Forces, helping them to take the next step in their career on offer at myworldofwork.co.uk/ veterans.
And people can keep up to date with the latest on SDS careers services and events in Lanarkshire at Facebook.com/ SDSSouthLanarkshire or Facebook.com/ SDSNorthLannarkshire.