GALASHIELS ACADEMY hosted its first ever Careers Fair recently.

Sixty stallholders - employers, professionals and further education representatives - came along to speak to pupils about their trades or courses and to give advice to those in attendance.

There was a wide variety of employers on offer for the pupils to get some first-hand advice from, in professions ranging from the care sector to construction, from fashion to journalism and much more.

The event was organised by Mrs Catto who described the event as “a fantastic opportunity for our leavers to find out more about all the options available to them when they leave school.”

As well as showcasing some of the more traditional routes taken up after pupils leave school such as further education and full-time employment, modern apprenticeships featured heavily at the fair and pupils were shown just how equally valuable they can be.

The school was met with incredibly positive feedback following the event from pupils, parents, carers and employers alike who described the evening as “very informative” while many appreciated the “great variety of stallholders to engage with” and complemented the “fantastic atmosphere in the place.”

The Careers Fair proved such a success that it will now become an annual event on the Academy calendar.

The school and Mrs Catto in particular would like to thank all the employers and professionals who gave up their time so generously, as well as the staff and S6 pupils who assisted in the running of the event on the night.

- Alistair Crooks