Holyrood inquiry to examine pathways for school-leavers

MSPS are to examine whether schools offer enough information about work, apprenticeships or college after a survey revealed many young people feel that university is prioritised over other options.

Holyrood’s education and skills committee is opening a new inquiry looking at the experiences of pupils moving into the world of work and further education, building on an online survey of people aged 15 to 24 in Scotland.

Of the 895 people who took part, 60 per cent said they were told more about how to get into university than other options such as work, col- lege or training programmes. More than two-thirds (67 per cent) of respondents thought this was because it was “what the school thought most people would do next”.

Work experience was the most common support recognised as on offer (70 per cent of respondents), while less than half (48 per cent) agreed that their school offered life skills support.

Comments provided by respondents suggested that many felt university was prioritised at the expense of other options.

Through its inquiry the committee will examine the advice given to young people in school to ensure that information is available on all pathways. Convener James Dornan, MSP, said: “University is just one choice for young people. Our committee wants to make sure that those choosing work, apprenticeships or college are given the same quality of information about these options to let them pursue the right path for them.”