#NoWrongPath 2025: Supporting Young People on Results Day and Beyond
As thousands of young people across Scotland receive their results today, many will be celebrating well-earned achievements and planning their next steps. But for others, today may bring feelings of uncertainty or disappointment.
To every young person in that position, I want to say this clearly: there is no wrong path.
The #NoWrongPath campaign, founded by Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), exists to remind us all that the journey from school to work is rarely a straight line. It’s full of unexpected turns, alternative routes, and second chances. As someone who left school at 16 with very average qualifications, I know this first-hand.
What matters most isn’t your results; it’s what you do next. Your willingness to learn, your mindset, your attitude to challenge – these will carry you far. Careers unfold in all kinds of ways, and what might feel like a setback today could become the start of a better, more fulfilling path.
Sandy Begbie CBE FRSE
Chief Executive
Scottish Financial Enterprise
As Chair of the DYW Employers Forum and Chief Executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise, I see every day how diverse and non-linear career journeys enrich our workplaces. That’s especially true in financial services – a sector that plays a vital role in Scotland’s economy and is actively building more inclusive pathways for young people.
You don’t need to follow one set path – university, for example – to succeed in our industry. There are apprenticeships, internships, graduate programmes, and direct entry roles available. Whether you’re interested in data, customer service, communications, cybersecurity, or finance itself, there is a route in.
SFE and our members are committed to creating opportunities that reflect Scotland’s diversity and ambition. We want people who are curious, adaptable, and eager to grow – and that potential exists in every school and every community across the country.
#NoWrongPath isn’t just a one-day campaign. It’s a movement that calls on all of us – educators, employers, parents, policymakers – to support the long-term success of young people. For some, that journey will be smooth. For others, it will take more time, or it may need more support.
So today, I encourage employers across all sectors to ask: what can we do to help? Can we offer work experience, mentoring, a visit to the workplace, or just a conversation that sparks an idea? These small actions can have a lasting impact.
To the young people receiving results today: your path is still unfolding. There is opportunity ahead. You are needed, and your future matters.
To explore opportunities in financial services, visit the Scottish Financial Enterprise website or speak to your local DYW group at www.dyw.scot. And if you’re unsure about what comes next, the SDS Results Helpline is there to support you – you’re not alone.
Together, let’s build a future where every path is possible and every young person has the chance to thrive.