Douglas's constituency includes Crossgates, Hill of Beath and Moss-side

Summer in the constituency

I’VE enjoyed the summer recess from Parliament. It has allowed me to spend more time getting around the West and Central Fife community. My diary has been crammed with visits and meetings with local organisations, businesses, constituents and councillors.

One of the tougher meetings was a visit to Oceaneering, in Rosyth, where over 100 job losses are expected. I met with management and the workforce’s union representatives.

It’s clearly a difficult time for the firm and its staff right now. I’m pleased that dialogue is taking place between all parties in a bid to find the best possible outcome. I hope to update readers through future articles in the Times. You can follow me on Facebook (‘Douglas Chapman MP’) and Twitter (@DougChapmanSNP) for regular updates of what I’m up to.

Exam results

I saw an interesting comment on social media recently about exam results. “Don’t worry about your results,” it read, “over the age of 25 no employer cares what you did at school’.

While that might not be entirely true, it perhaps puts things into perspective for those who felt anxiety, even panic, upon finding out they did not do as well as expected.

Good grades are an important step to enhancing your future career plans, but poorer grades are not a barrier. There are thousands of hardworking people, and many millionaires, who have built a successful career despite not achieving good results or going onto higher education.

Pupils from local high schools can contact Skills Development Scotland on 0808 100 8000, a free helpline giving advice on college course and apprenticeships.

On the subject of jobs, a wee reminder that Kelty Job Club is looking for a new volunteer. Anyone interested can call 07803575984 to find out more.

Beath High pupils helping others

Of course, education is about much more than exam results! I enjoyed reading about Beath High’s charity efforts in last week’s Times. Pupils from Mr Cunningham’s registration class raised more than £400 for The Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh. That impressive amount was raised by classmates being sponsored for walking around the schools during an ‘active regi’ class. Well done! Meanwhile, senior pupils are preparing for a trip of a lifetime to Malawi in October. They’ve been learning some basic Chichewa to communicate better with those they meet in the south-east African country. The Scotland-Malawi Partnership is a brilliant initiative, improving the cultural awareness of our youngsters and focusing on partnership and friendship.

Make sure you are registered

Residents in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area may now have received a form as part of Fife’s annual voter registration canvass. It will ask them to them to check whether the information that appears on the electoral register for them is correct. It aims to ensure residents who are not registered can register to vote individually. Remember, elections for Fife Council take place next May.