A new web service is being launched today that will help
transform the way career guidance is delivered in Scotland.
Scotland is leading the world in its new approach, according to
Dr. Alasdair Allan Minister for Learning and Skills who unveiled
the new service in a Skills Development Scotland advice centre in
Orkney.
The launch comes hot on the heels of a UK Commission for
Employment and Skills report, which discusses the vital role of
technology in transforming career guidance.
And the publication of the Scottish Government's Career
Information, Advice and Guidance Strategy earlier this year.
My World of Work (www.myworldofwork.co.uk)
aims to help people plan, build and direct their career throughout
their lives and supports the Scottish Government's ambitions for an
"all age, universal careers service."
My World of Work will not replace face-to-face or telephone
contact, but will help people comfortable with the web to self-help
and enable SDS careers advisers to target their efforts at those
who need support most.
Dr. Allan said: "My World of Work has been designed to meet our
current and future needs as a workforce. It combines the strengths
of our careers advisers with the technology of today to provide a
world leading careers service. It has significantly improved and
expanded the help and support available to people of all ages, from
across Scotland who want to improve their life chances and prepare
themselves for work.
"Young people who want to launch their career and people wanting
to change careers to get better paid jobs must have access to the
advice and support that will help them to realise their ambitions.
This is what my World of Work offers. And it is fast putting
Scotland in front, on a global scale, in terms of careers advice
and guidance. It recognises the vital role that positive career
planning plays in getting people into well paid, sustainable jobs
that will grow Scotland's economy."
Following a demonstration of the service by SDS careers adviser,
Samantha Craigie, and 17 year-old, Catriona Ward, Leslie Manson,
President of the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland
and Director of Education in Orkney said: "I was impressed by My
World of Work. It will appeal to the Facebook and Amazon
generation, without excluding older learners and jobseekers."
SDS Chair, John McClelland, commented: "The development of My
World of Work is fundamental to our strategy to provide customers
with support when and where they need it and with a much greater
degree of personalisation than anything we've had online
previously.
"It's available 24/7 from Shetland to the Borders and
complements the valuable face-to-face and telephone services
already provided by SDS, as well as those provided by
partners."
My World of Work features a careers A-Z, CV builder, course
search, jobs search, My Strengths questionnaire and hundreds of
video clips of people talking about their job roles. There is also
a significant magazine element with exciting, current content
relevant to the world of work.
In consultation with partners and stakeholders, My World of Work
will evolve continually to include more features and even greater
engagement.
Also at the launch will be 2003 Big Brother winner and Orcadian,
Cameron Stout, who has just embarked on a new career teaching at
North Walls Community School on Hoy. Cameron is also impressed with
the service, which, he feels, is relevant to people who are a bit
further on in their careers and have had to adapt to the dynamic
21st century workplace.