A dedicated helpline will open tomorrow to guide thousands of young people across Scotland as they receive their SQA results.
Around 147,000 pupils and students are set to find out their Higher, National and Advanced grades, with the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Results Helpline on hand to offer advice from 8am on results day.
The service will be staffed by experienced careers advisers, ready to support both young people and their families as they consider next steps.
Guidance will cover everything from college and university places to UCAS Confirmation and Clearing, apprenticeships, jobs, volunteering and staying on at school.
The free helpline 0808 100 8000 will run extended hours on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 August, from 8am to 8pm, and from 9am to 5pm on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 August.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth praised the dedication of Scotland’s learners and highlighted the support available.
“Results Day is an important opportunity to celebrate achievement and success,” she said.
“There are many options available for young people, no matter the results they achieve, and the Helpline offers invaluable advice on everything from college and university places to apprenticeships, jobs and volunteering.”
The helpline has been running for more than three decades and has supported tens of thousands of young Scots through the emotional ups and downs of results day.
Courtney McLaughlin, a pupil at Kilmarnock Academy, was among those who called last year after being disappointed with some of her National 5 grades.
“I was so upset when I opened my results that I started crying and called the Results Helpline for help,” she said.
“The adviser calmed me down and made me feel much better.
“I was able to see that it was not the end of the world and that I still had options.”
Courtney went on to retake her English qualification, add Higher P.E. and childcare courses to her timetable and gain work experience with the police.
She now plans to pursue further study in childcare or health and fitness, proof, she says, that results day is a milestone, not a dead end.
Dave McCallum, Head of Career Information, Advice and Guidance Operations at SDS, said the message was clear: don’t panic.
“Everything might seem overwhelming right now but remember that this is just one step on their journey,” he said.
“Our advisers are trained to help young people recognise that they are more than their exam results and to give them the confidence to see their strengths beyond qualifications.”
In addition to the dedicated SDS Results Helpline, young people and their parents or carers can also speak to an SDS adviser at a SDS centre or community venue (find out what’s close to you by visiting the Contact Us page on the SDS website), visit Scotland’s career information and advice website, My World of Work, or speak to directly to an SDS school-based careers adviser for year-round support.
