MSP Jamie Greene on supporting our students into careers

Over the past few days, young people across North Ayrshire have been opening those all-important SQA results envelopes – or, more often these days, that text or email notification.

It has been a stressful, exciting time for them.

For many, the results will have been everything they’d hoped for, paving the way to their chosen university course, apprenticeship, or job. To those young people, I say  congratulations – you’ve worked hard and earned the right to enjoy some summer sunshine before your next chapter begins. Please do take the time to relax.

But for others, the news might not have been what you were hoping for. If that’s you, please don’t lose heart.

One set of results does not define your future. There are so many paths to success – college, training, work experience, or a different course entirely – and support is there to help you find your way.

Across the Scottish Parliament, MSPs from all political parties share the belief that every young person deserves access to opportunity. We might disagree on the policies to get there, but we agree on the end-goal.

From my own perspective, I believe the Scottish Government must do far more to make Scotland the best place to start and grow your career – whatever route you choose.

That means properly supporting our world-class universities, there’s no doubt about that, but it also means giving our colleges, apprenticeships, and local employers the backing they need.

Time and again I hear from businesses and college leaders who say they could do so much more if they had the right resources and investment.

We also need to tackle a mindset issue. Too often, university is seen as the only “successful” choice for school leavers. That simply isn’t true.

Many people achieve outstanding careers and personal success by going straight into work, apprenticeships, or college. These options are equally valid, equally valuable, and should be celebrated.

However, opportunity is meaningless if you can’t physically get to it.

Here in North Ayrshire and Arran, transport links – particularly our ferry services – are vital. If you live on our islands, you rely on those ferries not just to travel, but to access work, training, and education. When those services fail, people’s lives and opportunities suffer.

That’s why the Scottish Liberal Democrats have launched a survey to gather local and expert views on how we can fix Scotland’s ferry network for the long term.

I know there’s a wealth of knowledge in our communities – people who use these services every day and know exactly where improvements are needed. Your feedback is essential

If you’d like to share your views you can find the survey at www.scotlibdems.org.uk/ferries-consultation. Your feedback will help strengthen the case for action in Parliament.

For now, to every young person in North Ayrshire – whether you’re celebrating or rethinking your next steps – know that your future is full of possibilities.

Go out and grab them.