Delivering Scotland’s Career Service 2025/26
Telling the story of Scotland’s career service
The latest annual report tells the story of the impact and reach of Scotland’s career service. The Delivering Scotland’s Career Service 2025/26 report highlights how colleagues are supporting people across Scotland to make informed decisions about learning and work, while helping connect skills and talent with the needs of employers and the economy.
Highlights include
SDS supported more than 311,150 people - including 253,731 school pupils, 20,489 young people post-school, 13,502 adults, and 21,485 parents and carers
In schools, 91% of pupils receiving career guidance were supported to identify and develop their career management skills
Pupils receiving one-to-one support rated their overall satisfaction 8.9 out of 10
20,489 young people post-school were supported through our Next Steps offer
Our Next Steps and adult customers gave high ratings for our services with a 9.2/10 satisfaction rating reported
Through PACE, 1,949 customers benefited from personalised careers support and group interactions, 8,300 people received information packs, 3,241 PACE engagements were delivered to customers, and 241 employers were supported.
Beyond the numbers, the report explores the partnership working, professional expertise, and shared intelligence underpinning SDS's service delivery, alongside case study examples showing the difference personalised careers support can make.
I genuinely believe this is our best annual report yet. It really demonstrates the impact personalised careers support makes for individuals and communities, while also showing the important role we play in supporting Scotland’s workforce and economy.
Dave McCallum
SDS Head of CIAG Operations
The featured case study examples from across the country show how shared intelligence and local partnerships are helping tailor support to individual and community needs. The report also highlights how SDS career services are responding to a changing labour market and evolving customer expectations.
Looking ahead, the report sets out how data and intelligence, employer engagement, careers expertise, and digital and AI will increasingly work together to create a more connected service.
During 2026/27, SDS will strengthen its use of data, research and customer insight, alongside digital access and support services.
Read the full report to discover the impact SDS colleagues and partners are making across the country and how Scotland’s career service is continuing to evolve.
If you have any questions about the report, or would like any further information, get in touch with dce@sds.co.uk