MORE than eight in ten (82%) Scottish parents would encourage their children to train in a practical profession when they leave school, a new survey has revealed.
The study, commissioned by Glasgow Kelvin College, comes as SQA pass rates have fallen with many students now going through the clearing process.
The study of 2,000 Scots, conducted by independent insights agency Opinion Matters, also found 70% of parents believe their children are pushed down career paths too early.
Around 64% of respondents wish they could go back in time and make a different choice following school, while 61% say they’d have chosen something more practical. More than six in 10 Scots regret the career choices they made after leaving school.
The same study shows 43% of Scots believe they rushed into choosing a career after school, with 38% unhappy with the career advice they were given. Four in 10 (42%) were unaware college was even an option.
Glasgow Kelvin College has registered National Opportunity Day as an official awareness day today (August 9) to celebrate all the opportunities available at college through clearing. Its open day is today.
Lord Haughey, founder of City Facilities Management which employs 9,000 people across Scotland and the UK, attended Springburn College, which is now home to Kelvin’s Springburn Campus, as part of a commercial engineering apprenticeship.
“The practical skills and confidence I gained at college set me up for life”, he said.
“Not only did I benefit personally, but I have seen countless employees thrive through the opportunities offered at college, where they learn the hands-on, practical skills required to take on a vast array of roles.
“National Opportunity Day will shine the brightest spotlight on the wealth of opportunities available to students through clearing, and awaken a nation to the possibilities on offer to people at all ages and stages through a practical and applicable college education.”
Of those surveyed, just under a third (29%) didn’t know about the variety of courses on offer at college.
Derek Smeall, principal of Glasgow Kelvin College, said: “Today is only the beginning for thousands of potential students across Scotland. There are a huge amount of options available to them across a vast range of trades, industries, and professions.
“These findings show Scots are waking up to the opportunity that college provides for people of all ages and stages in their careers. They realise the choice you make after school does not pigeonhole you for life.
“College education provides a gateway to a career some may never have thought possible, or perhaps a new part of the one you’re already in.
“The window of opportunity shouldn’t close at 18, or when you didn’t get the exam grades you hoped for, or when you’ve already started one career; it’s there for you as long as you want it.”
To find out more about the opportunities available at Glasgow Kelvin College via clearing, visit glasgowkelvin.ac.uk/news-events/events/open-day-august-2023.
