January 2016
Dear Parent/Carer
Kirkcudbright Academy Careers Evening: Cochran Hall
Thursday 14th January 2016 - 6.00-8.00pm
On Thursday 14th January, 2016 we will be holding our annual Careers Evening in the Cochran Hall
6.00-8.00pm. Parents/carers and pupils in S3-S6 are invited to attend. The event will help pupils with deliberations
about future careers and study and could highlight ideas and possibilities that may not yet have been considered.
We have a wide range of representatives from local and national employers who will provide information about the
qualifications and skills they are seeking when recruiting. School liaison representatives from many of Scotland’s
universities and colleges will also be on hand to give details about entry requirements, specific training and courses
required for careers in a variety of jobs and professions. There will be a presentation at 7.15pm from Dumfries and
Galloway College highlighting new opportunities regarding the Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship (See
attached information). We will also have representatives from the Armed Forces.
The Pupil Support department plays an important role in helping pupils with subject choices at key stages in their
education. Members of the department will be present to answer your questions and offer advice about your
son/daughter’s studies. Faculty heads will also be on hand to answer subject specific questions. The school’s Careers
Officer, Mrs Karen Skilling, will also be able to provide information about a variety of professions, careers and further
and higher education courses.
We encourage you and your son/daughter to attend this event. The timing is deliberate: pupils from S3 upwards
are in the midst of making subject choices for next session and, in doing so, are making important decisions about
where their future lies after they leave school.
I look forward seeing you on 14th January.
Yours sincerely
Pamela Wells
Principal Teacher Pupil Support (Senior School Curriculum)
Careers/Information Evening Presentations
The following presentations will be taking place during the evening.
Please check the timings to ensure you arrive in time to attend any of the presentations that interest you.
6.30 – 6.50 pm
SQA information and the New Exams
6.55 – 7.10 pm
How to pass Higher Maths
7.15 – 7.45 pm
Engineering Foundation Apprenticeships
Engineering Foundation Apprenticeships in Dumfries and
Galloway
What is a foundation apprenticeship?
A foundation apprenticeship is an industry recognised qualification that you can study whilst still attending school, it
would normally be started in S5 and completed in S6 providing a “fast track” route to employment or higher level
study, there are a number of companies directly involved as part of the partnership who are looking to recruit
directly from the apprenticeship.
Who is the course for?
This is a two year programme designed for someone who is interested in developing a career in the engineering
industry; they should be studying STEM subjects such as Maths, Physics, Engineering Science, Graphic
Communications, Computing, Design & Manufacture and English.
What do I need to get into the course?
You will need to be on target to achieve National 5 in Maths, Physics, Engineering Science and English at B grade or
above; you will also need to take an engineering comprehension and aptitude test during the selection process.
Who is running the course?
Dumfries and Galloway College working in partnership with Secondary Schools in Dumfries and Galloway, Dumfries
and Galloway Council, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and local Engineering companies will ensure you have the
best learning opportunity and job prospect.
Typical engineering careers that the course may prepare you for?
Manufacturing Engineering: Design, Research and development, Component / Whole goods manufacture,
Aerospace, Fabrication, Structural engineering, Civil engineering, CAD engineers, Production management.
Maintenance Engineering: Installation, Factory maintenance, Petro-chemical onshore and offshore, Wind Turbines,
Logistics, Process engineers, Commercial heating & plumbing, technical support.
Electrical Engineering: Inspection and testing, Electrical installation, Electrical control, Electronic systems and
software.
Energy: Power generation, supply and distribution, Wind turbine technician, Hydro energy, Biomas energy, Project
engineers.
The course embeds key employability values and provides you with a practical skill set highly valued by employers;
this is a true foundation for you to develop your career blending underpinning knowledge with practical skills.