Developing the Young Workforce North Highland

Trudy Morris, CEO, Caithness Chamber of Commerce gives her top tips for taking your next steps into the world of work:

Summer is in full bloom, but this week marks a pivotal moment for hundreds of teenagers nationwide with the announcement of exam results. During this time, Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) continues its annual #NoWrongPath campaign. Partnering with local businesses and organisations, this national initiative aims to inspire and reassure young people by showcasing diverse and meaningful roles across various sectors.

The central message of #NoWrongPath is that exams do not define your future, and every experience can open a world of opportunities. The campaign celebrates success through various exciting and unconventional paths.

As hosts of DYW North Highland, Caithness Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to helping young people realise their potential. Through careers fairs, mock interviews, workplace visits, and events, DYW North Highland has positively impacted young people in the region, ensuring they are well-prepared for the world of work.

We are about to launch our “Summit to Success Challenge,” with an exhilarating weekend of outdoor adventure as the prize. Designed to build teamwork and collaboration, enhance leadership skills and boost confidence – this is one is not to be missed. Look out for news of this fantastic opportunity in the coming weeks.

For those receiving their grades today and wondering “what next?” or supporting someone who is, here are my top tips for young people aiming for their dream career:

• Seize Every Opportunity: Avoid talking yourself out of new experiences. Focus on what you can bring to a role rather than what you may not yet be able to do. Remember, everyone starts somewhere.
• Build Your CV: Gain work experience, even if it’s not your dream job. Every job offers valuable skills and life experiences.
• Develop New Skills: Engage in diverse activities, sports, clubs, or community volunteering. This will help cultivate essential transferable skills like communication, teamwork, and organisational abilities. You likely already possess many of these core skills; it’s about building confidence.
• Seek a Mentor or Role Model: Having someone to look up to and draw inspiration from can be invaluable. Don’t hesitate to ask for guidance and support—many businesses are eager to help young people grow and succeed.
• Maintain a Positive Attitude: Stay positive and gracious in all your endeavours.

Above all, remember there is no wrong path. Life and careers are rarely linear; they form a colourful tapestry of experience—you can paint it in whatever colour you choose.

Tom McGee, Operations Manager, Developing the Young Workforce North Highland shares what the the #nowrongpath message means to him.

My career path has been varied and full of unexpected turns. It began in Thurso, Caithness, and took me to Edinburgh, Leeds, and various destinations worldwide. I started by assembling tumble dryers and freezers in Castletown, pursued further education in Edinburgh, and ventured into professional rugby, before returning to Caithness to build a home with my young family.

During school, my dream was to become a Physical Education Teacher because I deeply enjoy mentoring and guiding young people. Despite not achieving outstanding grades, I chose a different path. I spent a year at Thurso College, working part-time to gain the qualifications needed to study Sport Science at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.

The DYW “No Wrong Path” message reassures young people that life is unpredictable. Don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t attain the grades you desire in August. Plans may change, but perseverance, hard work, and a positive attitude can lead to success.

I left university to pursue elite-level rugby, where I won many titles with my club Boroughmuir as a semi-professional, met fantastic people, and made lifelong friends. I moved into full-time professional rugby with Edinburgh, the Borders, and Leeds Carnegie, playing against top players at amazing stadiums. Touring with Scotland A in America and Canada was a major highlight. Throughout my playing career, I also coached teams and mentored individuals, developing myself as a coach, player, and person. I coached successful teams from micros to juniors, and ladies’ and men’s teams.

While living in Leeds, I married my wonderful wife, Julie. We honeymooned in South Africa, swam with great white sharks, went on safari, and had a great adventure. After retiring from professional rugby at 31 due to injury, I returned to university in Leeds to complete my degree. I graduated with degrees in Sports Psychology and Sports Coaching and Science while raising our two young boys.

In 2016, we moved back to Caithness to be closer to family, build our home, and start a new chapter. I took on a managerial role in a start-up seaweed food business, designing and building a production facility in Wick to process locally harvested seaweed into healthy snacks. The skills I developed in management, leadership, and team building were crucial for this career change, and my adaptability allowed me to thrive in a new industry and ultimately, take on my next challenge as DYW North Highland Operations Manager.

In 2021, we tragically lost Julie to a sudden accident, leaving our boys without their mother. This event shook us to the core and changed our lives. Despite the immense challenges, we have stuck together and persevered. Life is a journey with demanding and challenging routes , as well as great adventures. The most important thing is to believe in yourself. If you work hard and maintain a positive attitude, you can succeed in whichever path you choose.

DYW North Highland is here to support your first steps into the world of work. We have school coordinators at each high school in the North Highland region, aiming to create sustainable links between schools, colleges, and employers. We work in partnership to help employers shape their future workforce.