‘Siuthad!’ Gaelic Careers Event in Skye
Gaelic Secondary School pupils, both learners and fluent speakers, from Portree High School, Plockton High School, and Ardnamurchan High School attended a Gaelic Careers Day at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye which is part of the annual Gaelic Careers event ‘Siuthad!
The ‘Siuthad!’ Careers event is a partnership between the Highland Council, Skills Development Scotland, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Bòrd na Gàidhlig Highland and Islands Enterprise. The event was organised by the Highland Council Gaelic Team, Skills Development Scotland and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.
The aim of the Careers Day is to encourage young people to continue with Gaelic studies towards qualifications in the senior stages of High School. This can provide young people with an extra skills and qualifications that provide for greater career and training opportunities when leaving school.
75 pupils participated in interactive workshops delivered through the medium of Gaelic these included a Multi Media Workshop by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and an Interactive Sports Workshop delivered by Highlife Highland.
A number of national organisations were present, these included Education Scotland, The Scottish Parliament, Gaelic Books Council, and Police Scotland and a wide range of representatives were available to inform the pupils of the career opportunities available where Gaelic is a distinct advantage.
Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chair of the Council’s Gaelic Implementation Group said:
‘Siuthad!’, offers young people the opportunity to meet professionals who use their Gaelic language skills as part of their daily profession. The young people can see the value of using their linguistic skills as part of their own career options and future development”. He continued, “We are grateful for the partnership support we have received to make this day the success it was.”
Mr Derek Mackenzie, Gaelic Development Officer from Skills Development Scotland said “The event held at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig provided a forum that highlighted some of the Careers that are available to those with Gaelic Skills such as Teaching and Broadcasting. We wish to extend our thanks to the exhibitors and workshop facilitators that provided us with their time and expertise on the day.”
We were keen to have an event held at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s only Gaelic College that provided a showcase of careers where having Gaelic skills can benefit you as regards a future career. We were keen to emphasise how having these skills can open doors and provide high quality career opportunities.
Professor Boyd Robertson Principal of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig who officially opened the ‘Siuthad!’ event said “Schools are collaborating ever more closely to afford youngsters extended subject choice and we were delighted that The Highland Council and SDS chose to hold this careers convention at Sabhal Mòr. These events are a valuable means of informing school pupils about the career opportunities that Gaelic can offer at a stage in their schooling when they have to choose the subjects in which they hope to attain national qualifications in the fourth and fifth years of high school. We hope that they heard and saw plenty from the various agencies represented at the event that will make the language appealing to them and that will attract them to courses through the medium of the language such as those we have here at the College”.