Project Description
Industry – Various Sectors
Activity Name – Bell Baxter High School Career and Pathway Event
Type – Work Inspiration and Preparation / Routes and Pathways
Businesses – Various
Aims and Objectives
Increase Awareness of Post-School Options
Enable pupils to explore a wide range of further education, higher education, apprenticeship, and employment pathways.
Support Informed Decision-Making
Provide pupils with accurate information and meaningful conversations that help them make confident choices about subjects and future careers.
Raise Aspirations and Motivation
Inspire young people by connecting them with real professionals, role models, and opportunities within local and national industries.
Strengthen Employability and Networking Skills
Give pupils the chance to practise communication, questioning, and interpersonal skills in a real-world setting.
Build Partnerships with Employers and Education Providers
Develop strong links with organisations that can offer future work experience, apprenticeships, guidance, and continued support to the school.
What We Did
Bell Baxter High School recently hosted a vibrant Careers and Pathways Event for all pupils in S3–S6, bringing together a wide range of employers, training providers, colleges, universities, and community organisations. The event was designed to help senior pupils explore future opportunities, ask questions, and gain insight into the many routes available after school.
Representatives from higher and further education, the armed forces, local businesses, national companies, and community organisations engaged with pupils throughout the day. Attendees included universities such as Glasgow Caledonian, Abertay, Stirling, St Andrews, Dundee, Robert Gordon, Queen Margaret, and Heriot-Watt; colleges including Fife College and Dundee & Angus; major employers like Raytheon UK, Babcock International Group, Tesco, Fisher & Donaldson, Kettle Produce, and Kilmac; alongside the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Police Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, DYW Fife, and several local services and charities.
The event provided a valuable opportunity for young people to broaden their horizons, discover new interests, and make informed decisions about their next steps—whether that involves further study, apprenticeships, employment, or community-based pathways. It was a highly successful day of connection, inspiration, and future planning.
Outcomes and Impact
The Careers and Pathways Event has the potential to make a significant and lasting impact on Bell Baxter High School’s senior pupils. By engaging directly with universities, colleges, employers, training providers, and community organisations, pupils are better equipped to make informed decisions about their futures. The interactions can help increase confidence, raise aspirations, and broaden pupils’ understanding of the diverse routes available beyond school.
Our hope was that many pupils would leave the event with clearer ideas about subjects they wish to study, careers they want to explore, or apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities they had not previously considered. The event also strengthens pupils’ awareness of local labour market needs and helps them recognise the skills and qualities valued by employers. This is very pertinent in our local community where traditionally we can be seen to be a rural based community.
In the longer term, it is hoped that increased engagement can contribute to improved positive destinations, enhance employability skills, and provide greater motivation and purpose in learning. By building connections between the school and a wide range of external partners, the event helps create a supportive network that can open doors for future work experience, volunteering, mentoring, and apprenticeship opportunities.
Pupil Voice
EA – when I leave school I want to do childcare. There was only one nursery there and I got a lot of information from them which helped me know what my options are moving forward. I would have liked to hear from more places specifically fife council apprenticeships and would have liked to hear from more places but overall the event was really good and interesting.
FS – I don’t know what I am going to do when I leave school so the event gave me lots of different organisations to look at as well as college and university options. I spoke to a number of people.
AB – Really worthwhile and enjoyable. Not just Universities there so something for everyone not just those going to FE.
RH – Good mix of universities, college and businesses to speak with and see how they work. I wasn’t sure of next steps, so for me it was a really good event.