Ex-fisherman Calum nets new career thanks to local advice
After years of catching fish, 64 year old Calum Macdonald is now helping Stornoway locals who’ve caught nasty bugs, thanks to the help he got to change career.
Former skipper, Calum landed a job as a Trainee Pharmacy Dispenser in the local Boots after getting help from Skills Development Scotland’s personal adviser, Murdo DA Macleod.
Looking for a new line
Hailing from Gleann Dubh on the outskirts of Stornoway, Calum has over 40 years experience working in a marine environment. Leaving school to become a trainee fisherman, he went on to work in salmon and muscle farms before returning back to the boats as a skipper for 17 years.
Calum had to leave his profession to care for his wife and, when she sadly passed in November 2023, he was keen to get back into work.
Calum explained: “I was left on universal credit and, although I had savings, I needed a job to support myself.”
Calum contacted the local Skills Development Scotland careers centre in Stornoway and spoke to Murdo DA to get some help.
Understanding existing skills
Initially, Murdo DA helped Calum develop his CV to articulate his skills and start to apply for jobs.
Murdo DA explained: “What I do with anyone looking for help to find a job is develop a generic CV with them, which features all the skills and experience that person has, to help show how transferable they are in any job. It’s important to remember that it’s not about the job, it’s about the skills you use in them.
“Through Calum’s years of experience, we were able to demonstrate that he was committed, loyal, responsible and had a good work ethic. He was also a good timekeeper, had self-management skills and could work as part of a team, not to mention the fact he had developed many life skills to bring to his role, through his age. Calum was bringing all these skills and experience and an employer would bring the training.”
Confidence to apply
Murdo DA also explained to Calum that help with developing a CV is just part of the free employability support that Skills Development Scotland’s career services can provide, which also includes interview preparation.
So, when Calum was invited to interview for the trainee role at the pharmacy, he got back in touch with Murdo DA.
Calum said: “Murdo did help me by encouraging me to apply for anything and giving me the confidence to go for opportunities.
“I had applied for other jobs and not got to interview stage, so I was a bit disheartened. I clicked on the one for Boots by mistake, because I assumed it required certain qualifications, but, when I took a closer look, I noticed there was no previous experience required and training would be given.”
Calum had never had a job interview, because he’d previously gained work through word of mouth, contacts or just speaking to the skipper in the local pub!
Interview support
Murdo DA practiced mock interviews with Calum to help him prepare and, soon after, Calum successfully got the job.
Calum said: “The interview process was informal and, through my experience of caring for my wife, I was able to show my knowledge of medication. I’ve always worked with a small team, similar to the one in Boots, so the position didn’t feel daunting.”
Adapting to a new career
Having started his role in May 2024, Calum enrolled on to the Boots Academy online and is due to complete his training next month. He works full time at the store, managing the stock, serving customers and advising them on over the counter medicines.
Calum said: “I’m very happy at Boots. All the staff are friendly and we are a good team. I’d like to stay here as long as they’ll have me.”
Murdo DA said: “Calum’s done absolutely brilliant, in terms of adapting to a new career. When you think about the rugged environment he was used to working in on the boats and comparing it to the work he does at the pharmacy, it’s like chalk and cheese, but it’s great to see him succeed in his new role. I think he’s inspirational.”
Calum added: “My advice to anyone in a similar situation to mine is to try anything. The support from Murdo was very helpful. I had always walked into jobs in my last career, so I didn’t know where to start.
“I would never have applied for the job without having spoken to Murdo. His advice helped me to be more open minded about the types of jobs I should go for.”
The support given to Calum by Murdo DA is part of the free expert advice from SDS available to anyone looking for help to make learning and career decisions.
SDS delivers career information, advice and guidance services in schools, in SDS centres and in community venues across Scotland, through its freephone helpline 0800 917 8000, and online at My World of Work.