Skills Development Scotland Career Service

Meet Sari and George - Our Skills Development Scotland Careers Advisers

Our Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Careers Advisers are here to provide expert career information, advice, and guidance to all students from S1 to S6. We’re here to help you explore the world of work and develop the essential career management skills you’ll need for life during and after school. Whether it’s through group activities, career events, or personalized one-to-one appointments, we’re ready to support you in planning your future and achieving your goals.

Be sure to follow us on X: @WhitehillCareer

Our Team

Sari Partanen (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

Email: sari.partanen@sds.co.uk

Phone: 07826 894 676

George Dragsnes (Tuesday)

Email: George.dragsnes@sds.co.uk

Phone: 07789 481 392

You can make an appointment with us by emailing or texting us or just popping into Room 235.

We also currently run drop-in sessions for S5 and S6 pupils during core PE and PSHE classes in the library.

Services and Initiatives

Your careers adviser can speak to you about

Understanding and developing yourself, your strengths and you skills
Making your option choices
Career choices
Courses, Training and Volunteering
CV's, Applications and Interviews
Apprenticeships
Local and National Job Opportunities

Resources and Support Links

My World of Work

My World of Work is Scotland’s careers website and it’s packed full of tools and information to help you confidently make the best decisions for you.

• Find out more about yourself with Animal Me and the Strengths and Skills Discovery tools

• Explore career suggestions matched to your personality

• Learn about routes into careers such as courses, training, and apprenticeships

• Discover where your option choices could take you

• Celebrate your achievements and build a library of your skills and successes

• Get help with CVs, applications, and interviews

Discover and explore what your future could be at myworldofwork.co.uk

Apprenticeships.scot

Search and apply for apprenticeship vacancies across Scotland in a wide range of industries and create an online account so it’s straightforward to submit job applications. You can also sign up to the job alert to get the latest job vacancies in your email inbox each week.

Foundation Apprenticeships: get industry experience, the skills employers need, and a recognised qualification while you’re still at school
Modern Apprenticeships: work, earn and learn and gain skills, experience and qualifications along the way
Graduate Apprenticeships: get a paid job in key sectors, and gain industry experience while you work towards a degree

Visit apprenticeships.scot to find the right apprenticeship for you.

Support for parents and carers

My World of Work also offers a dedicated section for parents and carers, designed to help you with career conversations.

It’s packed with information such as the industries offering exciting opportunities in Scotland, and the different routes into careers.