A Scotland-wide campaign highlighting how a modern careers service is shaping the future workforce returns 10 to 14 November.
Scottish Careers Week, co-ordinated by Scotland’s skills agency, Skills Development Scotland (SDS), shines a spotlight on the partnership working across communities to help people and businesses thrive.
Under the banner of ‘Shape the Future’, this year’s campaign builds on the success of last year’s which saw 190 schools involved, 290 events and over 800 employers taking part across Scotland.
Set against a backdrop of economic and technological change, such as the shift to net zero and the growth of AI, Scottish Careers Week 2025 aims to spark imaginations, inspire career journeys, and help people shape their futures.
Launching the 2025 campaign, Higher and Further Education Minister, Ben Macpherson MSP said: “Scottish Careers Week helps to showcase the range of industries that there are in Scotland, along with the training and support available to enable individuals of all ages to achieve their career goals and potential.
“The week is a chance for employers and careers teams to promote the exciting opportunities that there are across the country and connect with the next generation of talent about the range of services available.
“Particularly in an ever-changing world, it is so important to recognise and build upon the benefits that Scotland’s careers services provide to individuals, employers, communities and the economy.”
SDS works with partners to offer an all-age careers service, with professionally qualified careers advisers in every state school in Scotland and operating from a network of community locations and SDS centres nationwide.
Head of Careers Information Advice and Guidance Operations at SDS, Dave McCallum, said: “Scottish Careers Week represents the perfect platform to showcase the community delivery, collaboration and innovation of careers services in every community in Scotland.
“We are excited to connect with more customers, strengthen partnerships, and celebrate our collective impact during the week and beyond.”
Connect with tomorrow’s talent
Employers across Scotland are already seeing the benefits of getting involved.
Scottish Careers Week is a chance to spark inspiration, connect with young people, job changers and link with the wider community.
Jane Fraser, Chief Operating Officer at Roslin CT, based in Edinburgh, said: “Initiatives like Scottish Careers Week are vital for connecting our industry with the next generation of talent. It gives us a chance to showcase the exciting opportunities in life sciences, and to help young people see how their skills can shape real-world solutions.
“If you’re an employer, whether in STEM or beyond, Scottish Careers Week is a fantastic way to invest in the future of your workforce and your sector.”
Getting involved
The campaign hub on the My World of Work website has a range of support materials to help employers keen to connect with future talent.
Skills Development Scotland and a range of partners will be running events during Scottish Careers Week in schools and community venues across the country, including careers fairs and online info sessions for all ages.
Pupils will also have the chance to hear from young people working in some of Scotland’s most important sectors in a new series of DYW Live inspirational online talks. The programme of short, online sessions is organised in partnership by SDS, e-Sgoil and Education Scotland.
The sessions will be made available to watch on the DYW Live Scottish Careers Week page, with individuals in areas like engineering, health and social care, digital, tourism and science sharing their career journey and experience of work.
As the national organisation that connects employers with education, Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) will also be involved in a range of activities to support local schools.
DYW representatives and co-ordinators in schools will link up with other partners including SDS and employers to hold events like careers fairs and information sessions.
Employers organising activities and events can register them on the campaign hub events calendar.
By joining this year’s campaign, supporters will be part of a national movement that’s inspiring career journeys, strengthening partnerships, and helping shape the skilled, resilient workforce Scotland needs for the future.
Visit myworldofwork.co.uk/scottish-careers-week explore resources, register events, and be part of the movement shaping Scotland’s future workforce.
