Shetland Visit
The Committee undertook a visit to Shetland in June to gather evidence as part of the Young People's Pathways inquiry and the Education Reforms inquiry.
A cross party group of MSP's from the Education and Skills Committee visited various venues including a high school, a primary school, the local college and local businesses. The Committee heard from a variety of stakeholders.
On the first morning the Committee visited Anderson High School in Lerwick. This is a new school and the Committee heard evidence from teaching staff and pupils regarding the careers advice and opportunites for young people in Shetland. The Committee visited Shetland College which is part on the University of the Highlands and Islands. The Committee heard from staff and a group of students who are apprentices. This visited was followed by a visit to the NAFC Marine college in Scalloway.The NAFC Marine college provides training, research and devlopment for all aspects of the marine industry. The committee were given a tour of the NAFC facilities. Notes from both college visits are below.
Whilst at the NAFC marine college the Committee met with local businesses and organisations who are part of the Developing the young workforce network. This meeting highlighted the importance of certain key industries in Shetland and the disparity of what the young people want to do and the job opportunites. The Committee heard from Train Shetland a local council initiative which provided training for modern apprenticships. A meeting with the local Councillors was held in the evening
On our second day the Committee visited Sound primary school in Lerwick where we spoke to staff and pupils about the Education reforms that the Scottish Government have proposed. This was followed by a vist to a local employer by three members of the Committee where they spoke to a couple of young apprentices and the Chief eexecutive of the company about the opportunites, training and advice young were receiving.
Notes from all these visits are below: