Success of Siuthad!’ as Gaelic pupils learn about careers
A Careers Day for Highland Gaelic Secondary pupils was opened at Eden Court in Inverness yesterday (Thursday 10 March) by Julie Fowlis, Award Winning international Gaelic singer and multi–instrumentalist.
The annual event, “Siuthad!” (meaning Go On!), is for both Gaelic Learner and Gaelic Medium pupils in S2 from schools across the Highlands. “Siuthad!” showcases a range of Gaelic-related jobs and careers and encourages young people to continue with Gaelic studies towards qualifications in the senior stages of High School. This can provide young people with extra skills and qualifications that provide for greater career and training opportunities when leaving school.
“Siuthad!” is a partnership between The Highland Council, Skills Development Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and was organised by The Highland Council’s Gaelic Team and Skills Development Scotland.
Almost 200 Gaelic pupils came from High Schools in Ullapool, Dingwall, Lochaber, Tain, Alness and Inverness to find out more about the range of Gaelic career opportunities available to Gaelic speaking young people when they leave school.
A number of national organisations were present and a wide range of representatives were available to inform the pupils of the career opportunities available within the Gaelic sector and also where speaking Gaelic is considered to be a distinctive additional skill. These included representatives from several industry sectors such as education professionals, the arts, sports, music, early learning and childcare specialists, publishers, translation skills and drama.
As well as being informative and relatively informal, the event aimed to be fun for those attending as they got the chance to participate in a range of interactive activities including music and drama workshops
Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chair of the Council’s Gaelic Implementation Group said: “Siuthad has been successful again this year and it is superb to see young people engaging with an event that can give them some ideas about future employment. It is important that we continue to support young Gaelic speakers from the Highlands with their career choices from an early stage. Events such as this showcase the diversity of career pathways that they may wish to follow.”
Derek Mackenzie Gaelic Development Officer from Skills Development Scotland, said, “Siuthad!” raises awareness of the benefits of having Gaelic Skills. The event itself provides informative and interactive workshops across diverse sectors such as Media, Teaching and Creative Industries. These will highlight to pupils the rewarding and high quality career opportunities that will be open to them in future years”.
Organisations present at the event included MG Alba, Crofting Commission, Local Government, High Life Highland, The Scottish Parliament, Gaelic Books Council, Comunn na Gàidhlig and a range of other exhibitors.