Careers

THE ROLE OF THE CAREERS DEPARTMENT IS TO HELP ALL STUDENTS WITH THEIR POST-SIXTH FORM CAREER CHOICES. WELL TRAINED AND ENTHUSIASTIC CAREERS ADVISERS AND TUTORS ENSURE THAT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION, ADVICE AND GUIDANCE, IS AVAILABLE WHEN NEEDED.

CAREERS GUIDANCE

CAREERS EDUCATION

The Careers Education programme covers topics relevant to all students, including post-college options such as university, gap year and apprenticeships plus employability skills and careers resources. It is supplemented by a range of other activities such as: » Visiting speakers from universities, industry, the

Armed Forces and gap year organisations. » A College-based HE and Gap Year Fair. » A Meet Your Future convention with representatives from local and national apprenticeship providers, employers and voluntary organisations. » Mock interviews for university and job applicants. » A regularly updated Impact opportunities page. » Instruction on how to use our online careers resources and Careers Library. » A post results support service in the summer for all

Level 2 and 3 students.

SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR MEDICINE, DENTISTRY AND VETERINARY MEDICINE

Students intending to apply for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine will be on a dedicated support programme throughout their time at College. This includes: subject guidance at enrolment, support with work experience and volunteering placements, further reading/research guidance, UCAT and BMAT support, preparation for university interviews, as well as regular supplementary progress reviews.

WORK RELATED LEARNING

To develop our students’ understanding of the potential career paths open to them, we offer a work related learning programme which encourages employers to support our students so that they are prepared for the demands of the work place. We offer a range of speakers, work experience/voluntary placements, a Meet Your Future event and skills based courses eg Sign Language and First Aid. Careers Guidance is concerned with an individual’s choices which are explored through one-to-one interviews. This allows students to explore their ideas and discuss action planning and goal setting.

WORK EXPERIENCE & VOLUNTARY WORK

Work experience and voluntary work are increasingly important for all students to enable them to develop essential employability skills. It is particularly useful for students applying for jobs and apprenticeships or vocational degrees such as medicine, nursing and teaching. For those interested in jobs and apprenticeships, our specialist Employer Engagement Co-ordinator supports students to arrange placements and offers interviews, workshops and seminars to prepare students for the world of work. They have longstanding links with local and national employers and training providers who are keen to recruit young people from the College.

PARENTAL SUPPORT

The Careers Department recognises the key role parents play in helping students consider their choices. To keep parents fully informed, careers evenings are held in the Autumn and Summer terms and termly newsletters are issued.