Positive futures for pupils leaving school

Between August 1, last year and July 31, this year, 3806 pupils left school and 3427 (90.0 per cent) were successful in moving to a positive destination.

The figures, compiled by Skills Development Scotland, show that positive destinations in North Lanarkshire have increased this year by 2.6 per cent against a national increase of 1.5 per cent. Overall, the authority is now just 1.4 per cent behind the national average of 91.4 per cent for positive destinations.

Andrew Sutherland, executive director of learning and leisure services, said: “I am delighted to report that across North Lanarkshire we have seen, over the last year, significant improvement in the number of our young people moving from school to higher and further education and directly into training places and employment. This is testimony to the hard work in schools supported by key council services, the colleges and other partners who are all dedicated to working with young people to help ensure they have a positive destination which is sustainable and will help lead to a brighter economic future.”

Councillor Jim Logue, added: “To achieve such improvement in challenging economic times is down to the hard work and motivation of young people matched with good partnership working.”