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Message of hope as youngsters await exam results


By Lorna Thompson

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YOUNGSTERS are being reminded that whatever exam results day brings, there is more than one way to make the grade.

Developing the Young Workforce Moray (DYW), which brings young people together with employers, is backing the national No Wrong Path campaign, which highlights that there are many different routes towards that dream career.

No Wrong Path is timed to coincide with young people receiving their exam results on August 6.

The organisation’s new chairman, Elgin businessman and vice-lord lieutenant of Moray Jim Royan, was quick to get behind the campaign. He admitted that he didn't make the expected grade in his school days – but that has not held him back from making his mark in industry and as a high-profile contributor to public life.

Mr Royan said: "It would be fair to say that my academic performance at school did not reach the heights that my parents and teachers might have hoped.

"However, it wasn’t until I left school that I recognised the important role that certain teachers played in influencing me positively in other ways."

Jim Royan, the new chairman of DYW Moray, is championing #NoWrongPath.
Jim Royan, the new chairman of DYW Moray, is championing #NoWrongPath.

Mr Royan emphasised the importance of work experience or a part-time job for youngsters. He said working for his dad’s butcher business really paid off.

He said: "Working for my dad during the holidays was of huge importance. Your first part-time job or securing work experience is of real value and is the start of your CV, and sends an important message to future employers that you have a good work ethic and have been prepared to go out and find work at a young age."

Mr Royan, who over the last four decades has held senior leadership roles in public sector organisations such as the NHS, and in construction, economic and industry development, highlighted some other vital skills.

"If things don’t go as you hope on August 6, don’t panic, as you will have other skills that will help you move forward.

"My real tool-kit for life came when I read a book called Emotional Intelligence and it became my point of reference as I enjoyed parallel work experiences throughout my life. It talks about the value of having self-awareness, self-control, empathy, social skills and motivation. These are important skills to have too.

"Just remember – whatever happens on August 6, there is no wrong path."

The social media campaign was initially launched in 2017 by DYW Moray’s colleagues in Glasgow. The Moray-based government-funded organisation is driving the campaign forward.

Sarah Baxter, manager of DYW Moray, said: "On August 6, when young people across the region are getting exam results, we want to flood Twitter with the message that grades are not the 'be all and end all'. We want people to share their stories about what they did when they left school and where they are now.

"Last year, the regional response to the campaign was immense, and this year we want to go bigger and better and spread the message that there is No Wrong Path. It’s a powerful message and one that we should be sharing."

Ms Baxter left school as a carer. She added: "What we need to make the campaign really impactful is for the message to come from a variety of people who have reached their career goals through different and varied channels with the message that there is #nowrongpath.

"It’s really easy to get involved. All people have to do is post a picture of themselves on their own social media channels with the message of what they did when they left school and what they do now, using the hashtag #nowrongpath."


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