Project Description
Industry: Multiple
Activity Type: Work inspiration and preparation / Routes and Pathways
Activity Name: Glenwood HS Career and Pathway Event
Businesses involved: Multiple (full list below)
Name of School: Glenwood High School
Glenwood High School hosted its largest Senior Careers Fayre to date on the afternoon and early evening of Tuesday 4 November 2025, giving pupils in S4–S6 the chance to engage directly with a wide range of local, regional and national employers, colleges, universities and voluntary organisations.
Bringing together 45 stallholders, the event was designed to broaden young people’s understanding of the breadth of career and study options available to them, support informed decision-making about their next steps, and strengthen links between the school, employers and the wider community. The fayre ran in two sessions – one during the school day for all senior pupils (approximately 250+ learners), and an additional session after school for pupils and their parents/carers to return and continue conversations with stallholders.
Collaborative Partners
Full list of attendees included:
DYW Fife, Specsavers, Police Scotland, Semefab, Fife Council Building Services, Babcock, Royal Air Force, Trend Technologies, CR Smith, DPS Group, Leviton, Raytheon, ScotRail, Dears Pharmacy, Electrical Asset Services, NHS, Navantia UK, Bosch Rexroth, Lomond Hills Vets, Diageo, Fife Council, Royal Navy, Industrial Roofing Scotland, Fife College, DiGiCo, Foundation Apprenticeships, Active Schools Fife, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Citizens Advice & Rights Fife, Skills Development Scotland, Rural Skills Scotland, Fife Voluntary Action, University of Edinburgh, University of Dundee, University of Aberdeen, University of St Andrews, Edinburgh Napier University, Abertay University, Robert Gordon University, Heriot-Watt University, Glasgow Caledonian University, Queen Margaret University, University of the West of Scotland, Graham Construction and the British Army.
Many of these organisations are long-standing partners of Glenwood High School through Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Fife and wider school-employer engagement. They chose to be involved because they recognise the mutual benefits: employers can showcase their sector, highlight entry routes and build their future talent pipeline, while young people gain real-world insight and a clearer understanding of what is required to succeed.
By running a second session after school, the fayre specifically invited parents, carers and guardians to attend alongside young people. This helped extend career conversations into the home and strengthened school–community relationships, ensuring that learners are supported by both school and family when planning their next steps.
Programme Aims
The Glenwood High School Senior Careers Fayre 2025 was created to:
- Give senior pupils (S4–S6) a broader understanding of the range of careers, courses and pathways available when they leave school.
- Provide direct, meaningful encounters with employers, further education and higher education providers.
- Help young people understand the skills, qualifications and attributes required in different sectors.
- Support informed choices around subject selection, apprenticeships, college, university and employment.
- Involve parents and carers in career conversations and strengthen partnerships between school, employers and the local community.
Activity Overview
The Senior Careers Fayre took place in the school hall, which was transformed into a busy careers marketplace with 45 individual stalls. Each stallholder brought displays, resources and information about their organisation, careers on offer and routes into employment, training or further study.
Afternoon Session (School Day)
Stallholders arrived from 13:15 ahead of a 14:00 start. Senior pupils from S4–S6 were timetabled to attend in groups throughout the afternoon, with the first session running until 15:40, the end of the school day. Pupils were encouraged to move freely around the hall, speak to representatives, ask questions and collect information. The atmosphere was described as lively and purposeful, with strong engagement and focused conversations observed across the hall.
Evening Session (Pupils and Families)
After a short break, during which guests were offered food and refreshments, the second session ran from 16:15 to 17:30. This provided an opportunity for pupils to return for more in-depth conversations and for parents/carers and guardians to attend. This extended access meant young people could revisit stalls, clarify information and discuss options together with their families, supporting more informed decision-making.
Throughout both sessions, the variety of organisations present meant pupils could explore everything from local apprenticeships and vocational pathways to university degrees across Scotland. This helped them see the full spectrum of routes open to them and understand that there are multiple ways to achieve their goals.
Impact and Outcomes
The Careers Fayre delivered clear benefits for young people, exhibitors and the school community.
Pupil Feedback
See results from Senior Cohort – Forms Survey:
“How useful did you find attending the Careers Fair?”
Average score: 7.9 / 10
“Did this event help you realise the different options available to you for when you leave school?”
Average score: 6.7 / 10
“Overall, did you enjoy attending our Careers Fair?”
Average score: 8.1 / 10
These results show that the event was both enjoyable and useful, with a strong positive impact on learners’ awareness of options and next steps.
Partner Feedback:
Exhibitors highlighted the high level of organisation and positive engagement from pupils:
“Really well organised. Layout and catering all really good. Good engagement from the students too.”
“Always well organised – good that classes were timetabled into the hall, and good that there is an opportunity for the community to come in after school.”
“Well organised with lots of information provided ahead of the event. Lovely to be given water, a pen and food! Thank you.”
“Students very engaging during the day and hospitality was fantastic.”
“Great pupil engagement. They had done their research and knew what they wanted to ask.”
“Organisation of the event – from car parking attendants to fresh tea and coffee.”
“Lots of exhibitors, warm welcome by senior helpers and staff, and being fed – thank you.”
“Very well organised. Generous with amenities.”
“Seeing the pupils showing an interest in engineering and what we do.”
These comments emphasise that Glenwood High School provided a professional, welcoming environment that enabled high-quality interactions between young people and partners.