Tag: careers

Queen Margaret University launches three-year nursing degree to fast-track students into healthcare

Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh has announced the launch of a new three-year full-time BSc Nursing programme, offering students a faster route into the nursing workforce at a time of growing demand for qualified healthcare professionals.

For several years, QMU has offered courses which are studied over 4 years – a BSc Honours and a Master of Nursing – but this new 3 year degree expands QMU’s current provision, providing students aspiring to become qualified nurses with more routes to registration. 

QMU’s new BSc Nursing provides an accelerated pathway to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), enabling graduates to enter the workforce a year earlier, while still benefiting from the University’s renowned high-quality teaching and person-centred approach to nurse education. Eligible students will also benefit from the £10,000 annual bursary for the full three-year duration of the course, alongside tuition fees covered by the Scottish Government.

Fast-track into nursing

The new BSc Nursing (three-year fulltime) offers:

  • Accelerated registration with the NMC, allowing graduates to join the workforce sooner.
  • Shared learning opportunities with students across QMU’s Division of Nursing and Paramedic Science, including those on the BSc Nursing (Hons), Master of Nursing, and BSc Nursing (Earn as you Learn) programmes.
  • Financial support, with eligible students receiving the £10,000 annual bursary for each of the three years, alongside tuition fees covered by the Scottish Government.
  • A condensed timetable with shorter summer breaks, ensuring students remain on track to graduate within three years.

Students will benefit from QMU’s strong partnerships with NHS Health Boards and other healthcare providers, gaining hands-on experience in a wide range of clinical settings.

The programme emphasises person-centred care, leadership development, and interprofessional learning, preparing graduates to deliver safe, compassionate, and effective healthcare.

On successful completion of the degree, graduates will have the option to enter the nursing workforce with the NHS or private sector. Subject to approval, this course will commence on 14th September 2026. 

Meeting the needs of healthcare

Ruth Magowan, Head of the Division of Nursing at QMU, commented: “This new accelerated programme reflects QMU’s commitment to innovation and flexibility in healthcare education.

“By offering students the chance to qualify in three years instead of four, we are helping to strengthen the nursing workforce while ensuring our graduates are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and compassion needed to deliver excellent person-centred care.

“QMU has a longstanding reputation for excellence in nursing education, preparing students for rewarding careers in healthcare. With strong links to clinical practice, a focus on person-centred care, and a supportive learning environment, QMU graduates are highly sought after across Scotland and beyond.

“We are delighted to support the Scottish Government’s ambition to bolster the country’s healthcare workforce by playing a pivotal role in strengthening Scotland’s nursing profession.”

Edinburgh school tackles gender gap in computing science with event open to girls across the city

With girls and women remaining underrepresented in computing at school and in the industry, Toni Scullion, teacher, campaigner and founder of non-profit charity dressCode, is working with St George’s School in Edinburgh to inspire more girls to see a future for themselves in the tech industry.  

The all-girls school is hosting its third annual Fearless Women in Computing event on Tuesday 11 November, an event which is open to all schoolgirls across Edinburgh. The event, which last year attracted 600 girls from 13 schools from four council areas, aims to encourage more girls to pursue computing science in school and in their professional lives.  

The day-long event will feature immersive experiences, workshops and stalls in collaboration with more than 20 companies, including The National Robotarium, IBM and The Quantum Software Lab at the University of Edinburgh.

There will be several guest talks on topics, including AI and women in tech, careers in finance and tech and seeing yourself in computing.  Skyscanner will sponsor transport for girls from state schools to attend, with priority given to providing the opportunity to pupils from areas of high deprivation.  

Scotland needs 13,000 new digital professionals yearly but produces only 5,000, with women making up just 23% of the digital technologies workforce in Scotland, revealing the clear need for more gender diversity within the industry.  

The gap begins at school – girls studying Computing Science in Scotland has dropped from almost 10,000 in 2001 to under 2,500 today, giving Computing Science the largest gender gap of any traditional STEM subject.  

Toni said: “I founded dressCode after noticing the inequality in Computing Science when I first became a teacher, and while we have made positive progress, there is still a need for urgent action.

“Girls almost always outperform boys in Computing Science through school and university, but as it stands only 23% take the subject at National 5, a percentage that only drops at each level to Advanced Higher.  

“The Fearless Women in Computing event is a fantastic initiative. It’s amazing to hear the sounds of high fives and exclamations from the girls when they solve a problem or make something happen.

“Positive experiences are what people remember and this event is incredible for the pupils; you know that these are moments that will stick with them and form their future choices. 

“Unfortunately there is no equity of access to Computing Science in Scotland, so not every pupil is fortunate enough to experience Computing Science and decide if it is something they enjoy; the door isn’t just closed, there is no door.

“If we don’t act now, we won’t see equality in our lifetimes – this event isn’t just a step in the right direction, it’s a critical action to ensure girls are the architects of a future designed for all.” 

dressCode was founded in 2017 to bridge the gender gap in Computing Science by engaging, inspiring, and raising awareness about the diverse opportunities available in the tech industry. 

Carol Chandler-Thompson, Head at St George’s, said: “Women make up only 22% of the AI workforce, meaning they are being left out of the most influential, high-paying jobs of the future.

“We know how important it is to show girls from early in their schooling that there is space for them in AI and technology industries, which is why we made Computing Science a core subject from P5 to S2.

“This summer 80% of our Higher Computing students achieved an A grade– it’s clear that when girls are encouraged to take Computing Science, they thrive.  

“Our Fearless Women in Computing event brings together schools, companies and innovators from across Scotland to create a hands-on, inspiring experience for girls across Edinburgh.

“We have seen first-hand the impact these events can have – hearing the stories of women in the industry, seeing the recent advances in robotics and AI, even “hacking Google” – the day is an eye-opener to the world of computing, and we would encourage as many schools as possible to come along.” 

100% of girls study Computing Science from P5 to S2 at St George’s, with a focus on building confidence and encouraging participation among pupils.

The school offers community lessons on Friday afternoons, so any girl from an Edinburgh state school can attend and benefit from the facilities and expertise available.  

The Fearless Women in Computing event is on 11 November from 9:30am – 3pm at St George’s School, Edinburgh.

It is open to any Edinburgh school girl from P6 to S6.  

Scotland champions the next generation of talent during Heritage Careers Week

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) welcomed more than 600 young people across Scotland as they took part in Heritage Careers Week 2025.

The festival of career events returned for its second year to spotlight opportunities in the heritage sector.

HES, in partnership with organisations across the sector, celebrated Heritage Careers Week from Monday 27 to Friday 31 October. 

The programme featured a mix of online and in-person events across the country, showcasing the wide variety of careers and employers in the sector – from conservation and archaeology to digital innovation and traditional crafts.

Highlights from the week included a careers fair at Edinburgh Castle, which welcomed over 100 attendees, and a hands-on skills taster day at The Engine Shed in Stirling, where 65 school pupils engaged directly with traditional craft experts.

Caerlaverock Castle also hosted a live skills demonstration, giving young people in Dumfries and Galloway the chance to see heritage skills in action.

As a hub of digital innovation and heritage science, HES’s dedicated building conservation centre The Engine Shed hosted the skills taster event with schools from across the Forth Valley.

In collaboration with more than 20 Scottish employers and Developing the Young Workforce, 65 young people had the opportunity to immerse themselves in interactive demonstrations including heritage science, thatching, blacksmithing, digital skills and stained glass.

Catherine Cartmell, Skills Investment Plan Manager at HES, said: “Heritage Careers Week helps people discover the diverse range of jobs available in Scotland’s heritage sector. These events give young people and adults a chance to get hands-on, meet the experts, and see how traditional skills continue to shape Scotland today.

“We’re facing a real shortage of these skills, but we hope this week’s activities will inspire the next generation to explore careers in the industry and keep these vital skills alive for years to come.

“History will soon be in the hands of the next generation.”

Heritage skills are essential in future-proofing Scotland’s historic sites and, in response to sector-wide skills shortages, events like The Engine Shed skills taster day aim to spark interest among young people and encourage them to consider a career in traditional skills.

Leona Hepburn, Principal Teacher for Positive Destinations and Transitions at Falkirk High School, said: “Events like these give the pupils hands-on experience so that they can have a go at different trades, bringing the subjects to life.

“It’s really important that events like these continue and we get more of them, because they build the picture for young people; it makes them see the jobs that are real and tangible, and not just the classroom environment.

“The young people are always buzzing afterwards! They come away and they’ve had a completely different experience to what they would in the classroom, in a safe and controlled environment. The whole event is just a lovely way to see young people grow and flourish.”

For information on how to get involved with Historic Environment Scotland’s upcoming training and skills opportunities, please visit:

 www.historicenvironment.scot/learn/skills-and-training/

‘Never give up – if I can do it so can you!’

Mum encourages others to follow their nursing dream

A 42-year-old mum-of-two who raised her children largely on her own and overcame her doubts to become a nurse, is encouraging others to follow in her footsteps and pursue their dreams.

And she has just one message: “Never give up.”

Jaspreet Deerhe, 42, from Bishopbriggs, is one of more than 500 newly qualified nurses and midwives to join NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in the past few weeks – and she hopes her story can be an inspiration to others who find themselves in her position.

Jaspreet moved from the USA when she was a teenager and married young. She had two sons and she worked in care as the boys grew up.

But all the time she knew she wanted to do more, and as her marriage ended she decided to take the plunge.

“I wanted to work in healthcare,” she said, “but my confidence wasn’t great as I’d been out of education for a long time.”

But those doubts didn’t stop her – first she completed an access course at college and then it was off to university.

“It was strange at first – in fact some of my fellow students were younger than my children. I was shocked at how important computers had become and I often felt out of my depth – but I was certain this was the place I needed to be,” Jaspreet said.

“There’s no pretending that it wasn’t hard work. There were times when I thought I couldn’t do it – when others said I wouldn’t manage – but I didn’t give up.

“All I knew was I wanted to help people. I needed to make a difference to people’s lives, and that kept me going when things got tough.”

Jaspreet – or Jazz as her new NHSGGC name badge, worn proudly on her Staff Nurse uniform, says – now works in Ward 20/21 rheumatology/acute medicine at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and all her struggles have paid off.

“All I can say to anyone who’s in my position, and maybe thinks they can’t manage it, is please, have courage. If you can push yourself, you can make it.

“You might doubt yourself and tell yourself you’re not capable. Others might say you can’t do it.

“But please, don’t give up. Have confidence in yourself, and keep going.

“You can do it – like I did!”

NHSGGC welcomes nurses of all ages and all backgrounds – and Professor Angela Wallace, Nurse Director at NHSGGC, thinks Jazz’s story shows that nursing can be a rewarding career for everyone.

She said: “I would like to welcome all our newly qualified nurses and midwives to the NHSGGC family.

“As Jazz’s story makes clear, age is no barrier to becoming a nurse, and I would encourage anyone who thinks they can make a positive contribution to this wonderful profession, to take the plunge and, as Jazz says, go for it.”

For more about this year’s intake of newly qualified nurses and midwives, go to the NHSGGC website.

Discover! Creative Careers to reach 10,000 young people across Scotland

NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH INTO FILM SCOTLAND

  • Discover! Creative Careers has announced its expansion into Scotland through a new partnership with Into Film
  • Discover Creative Careers Week, Scotland will run from 10-14 November to coincide with Scottish Careers Week

Following a competitive tender process, Into Film have been awarded the contract to implement the Discover! Creative Careers programme in Scotland across 2025 – 2026.  

Working in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), Discover! Creative Careers in Scotland has an ambition to reach at least 10,000 young people across 2025-2026.

Nicola Kettlewood, Programme Lead for Into Film Scotland: “It’s a tremendous honour for Into Film Scotland to lead the Discover! Creative Careers Programme. Scotland’s creative industries are rich with opportunity, and this programme allows us to inspire and inform the next generation about the diverse roles available across the sector.

“We’re committed to making these pathways more visible and accessible, particularly for young people who may not have previously seen a place for themselves in the creative world.

“We have built strong, lasting relationships with schools, local authorities, and industry partners across the nation. The relationships include a committed group of Scottish Education Ambassadors and Youth Advisory Council members that meet regularly, providing insights and feedback to shape our programme as well as acting as influential advocates of Into Film’s work.”

Into Film will work with the central Discover! Creative Careers team at ScreenSkills and in collaboration with key local partners Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) to shine a spotlight on careers in creative and cultural industries throughout Scotland.

The initiative will feature a wide range of exciting activities including industry visits and workshops, online and in-class talks and careers events at the Into Film Festival, an annual event that sees 400,000 children and young people visit cinemas across Scotland and the UK for free.

Michelle Fenwick, DYW National Projects Director commented: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Into Film to deliver the Discover! Creative Careers Programme in Scotland. 

“DYW make it easy for industry to connect with young people in education, so they develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the world of work.

“This exciting collaboration builds on DYW’s existing engagement with the creative industries, and it will create more opportunities for young people, parents, carers, and educators to find out about the vast range of opportunities and pathways in Scotland’s creative sector.” 

Mary Rose Programme Lead for Discover! Creative Careers said: “This expansion marks an exciting point in this year’s programme delivery. The tender process was extremely competitive with the highest quality of submissions from a range of organisations across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“The two separate tenders from Into Film demonstrated a robust approach to collaborating with the core programme, alongside years of experience and deep connections with the careers and education policy landscape in both Scotland and Wales.

“Like us, they are committed to bringing careers awareness across the entire breadth of the creative industries to under 18s as they work with us to help expand on our hugely successful programme.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “We believe that all young people, regardless of background, should have the opportunity to pursue a creative career.

“That is why the Discover! Creative Careers Programme is so important, connecting young people with the sector and giving them real insight into the many pathways on offer.

“I am delighted that Into Film have been chosen to deliver this vital programme in Scotland and shine a light on the variety of creative careers available to the next generation.”

Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans, Graeme Dey said: “I am delighted that Into Film Scotland will be delivering Discover! Creative Careers Scotland in partnership with DYW.

“This initiative expanding to Scotland is a vital step in empowering individuals with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in Scotland’s creative sector. It is great that this programme will be offering a range of engaging activities that will play a key role in shaping young people’s experiences and creating more opportunities.

“I encourage schools and employers to sign up and find out more in advance of Discover! Creative Careers Month in November.”

Employers in the creative industries in Scotland can register their interest to participate here:

https://discovercreative.careers/employers/discover-creative-careers-week-scotland

Schools and educators can find out more and access the main Teacher and Careers Leaders hub here: 

https://discovercreative.careers/teachers-career-leaders/discover-creative-careers-week-scotland/

Careers Workshop at PYCP

TUESDAY 20 MAY from 11am with PLACES FOR PEOPLE

To anyone in the local community please join Places for People for an Employability event workshop at Pilton Youth and Children’s Project (PYCP) on Tuesday next week 20th May.

11am – 12 midday start with presentation and workshops

12 midday – 2pm – One to one CV reviews.

Refreshments provided.

Please share with anyone you know who may benefit from updating their CV and getting some help getting a job.

Any questions please get in touch.

We hope to see you there.

https://www.placesforpeople.co.uk

Aldi offers virtual work experience to aspiring young people in Edinburgh

Young people in Edinburgh interested in exploring a career in retail can now sign up to Aldi’s virtual work experience programme.

Open to students in the UK aged 13 and over, the free online course is designed to build skills and introduce students to the wide range of careers available in retail – from warehouse operations to office-based roles.

Created in partnership with Springpod, the programme includes a series of videos and guidance from Aldi colleagues, alongside interactive quizzes and activities.

Upon completion, participants receive a certificate to enhance their CVs or future applications.

Lisa Murphy, Training and Development Director at Aldi UK, said: “At Aldi, we understand that not everyone has access to in-person work experience. That’s why we’ve created a flexible virtual programme that allows participants to learn at their own pace, fitting around their schedules.

“This initiative not only provides young people with a real insight into what it’s like to work at Aldi but also makes it possible for them to experience this, no matter where they are in the UK.

“Since launching, we’ve already attracted more than 2,000 sign-ups and hope to inspire even more young people to explore careers in retail through this accessible and engaging platform.”

Aldi is also looking to recruit more than 500 new apprentices across the UK in 2025, with opportunities across stores and warehouse roles now live. 

Young people interested in signing up to the virtual work experience can visit:
https://www.aldirecruitment.co.uk/early-careers/apprenticeships.

New STEM guide launches to support careers leaders to inspire students into engineering and tech futures

Careers leaders across the UK can now benefit from a new STEM careers guide to help drive passion and interest amongst young people for a future in engineering and technology – predicted to grow faster than any other sector between now and 2030.  

‘Advancing STEM careers provision in schools’ has been created to support those responsible for careers programmes in schools inspire students to view engineering and technology as an exciting, meaningful and accessible career option.   

The free resource highlights tips with practical strategies grounded in the latest research. 

Rebecca Healy, Careers Inspiration Manager, EngineeringUK, said: “The guide acts as the latest digest of current research about what works to increase young people’s awareness and inspiration about STEM careers, saves time and helps career leads bring to life the dynamic world of STEM.

“Engineering and technology careers span every sector, from sport to space. Engineers play a key role in improving sustainability and achieving net zero and they’re in demand at all levels, from apprentices to technicians, graduates to postgraduates.”

Developed in collaboration with EUK Education’s Careers Working Group, the free resource aligns with the Gatsby Benchmarks (England) and the Careers Education Standard (Scotland), to ensure that career planning is both effective and comprehensive.

EUK Education Careers Working Group includes careers inspiration experts from a UK secondary school, STEM Learning, UCL Engineering, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Physics, BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Institution of Engineering and Technology 

More young people need to be made aware of opportunities and different entry routes into the sector, which employs around 6.3 million people, as employers are reporting skills shortages and difficulties recruiting. Currently around 16% of the UK engineering and technology workforce is made up of women. 

Séan Harris, Deputy Director General and Director of Membership at the Institution of Civil Engineers, commented: “The Institution of Civil Engineers recognises the vital role that career leads and educators play in inspiring young people and showcasing the exciting, diverse opportunities that a career in engineering can offer—particularly in addressing global challenges such as achieving carbon net zero.  

“As an active member of the EUK Education’s Careers Working Group, we are proud to support the launch of this new STEM careers guide.

“We hope it provides practical, actionable guidance to help career leads elevate STEM careers both within the school curriculum and as part of a broader careers education programme.” 

Download the guide  

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– Date: Friday, 7th March 2025

– Time: 14:00-15:00

– Location: ELREC, 14 Forth Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3LH

If interested, please register by emailing mrostami@elrec.org.uk.

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Students come together for biggest ever nursing and midwifery careers day at Edinburgh Napier

More than 450 attend annual event

More than 450 students and almost 100 healthcare professionals have come together at Edinburgh Napier University’s biggest-ever nursing and midwifery careers day at its Sighthill campus.

Hosted in the University’s ENGAGE sports facility this week (4 Feb 2025), the event gave attendees the opportunity to meet with employers and learn more about available graduate roles in both nursing and midwifery.

Alongside the NHS, the range of healthcare professionals in attendance was wide and varied with organisations such as the Royal Navy Medical Branch, Royal Air Force, Marie Curie, CHAS, The Royal College of Nursing, William Quarrier Scottish Epilepsy Centre and private healthcare providers represented at the event.

Also in attendance were a range of Edinburgh Napier services including its Student Futures careers team – who helped organise the event – the University’s Alumni team, Bright Red Triangle, Edinburgh Napier’s hub for enterprise practice, a postgraduate recruitment team and a School of Health and Social Care research team.

Exhibitors were also able to undertake tours of the learning facilities at the University’s Sighthill campus, including its purpose-built Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre.

Students studying undergraduate and postgraduate Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Social Work programmes at Edinburgh Napier are taught within the centre, benefitting from realistic environments and NHS ward-like settings.

Professor Susan Dawkes, Dean of Edinburgh Napier’s School of Health and Social Care, said: “It was great to welcome so many employers on campus to meet our students and showcase the wealth of career options open to graduate nurses and midwives, from joining the NHS to opportunities to join the health and medical teams in the armed forces, or exploring some of the many other career options now open. 

“Employers too were delighted to join tours of our Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre, which remains at the forefront of practical training for our student nurses and midwives.”

Adam Watling, Head of Edinburgh Napier’s Student Futures team, said: “Our nursing and midwifery careers day has been one of the biggest and best yet, and we are so pleased with the reach it has had and the experience of our students and visiting health care professionals across the day. 

“The success is thanks to the effective collaboration between Student Futures and School of Health and Social and the planning and focus on securing a range of exhibitors for our many students to meet throughout the day.

“As a University, Edinburgh Napier is dedicated to ensuring that our students have the best possible careers support before and after graduation, and these types of events are a critical part of that commitment.

“We are looking forward to sharing success stories from across the day as we start to review the many insights that emerge from attendees, in the weeks and months to follow.”

Edinburgh Napier University is one of the largest providers of nursing and midwifery education in Scotland offering courses in a variety of nursing specialisms including adult nursing, child health nursing, learning disability nursing and mental health nursing.

The programmes are part of the University’s School of Health and Social Care which is home to a vibrant academic community of more than 3,000 students and 120 staff.

More information on the School itself can be found at:

https://www.napier.ac.uk/about-us/our-schools/the-school-of-health-and-social-care.