CEIAG Information for students

Careers, Education, Information, Advice & Guidance (CEIAG) for Students and Parents/Carers

Careers information, advice and guidance are important parts of each young person’s curriculum.

This leaflet tells you where information can be found, timescales and contact information, including open evenings for colleges, sixth forms and post 16 training providers.

Do check the dates/times before attending as sometimes they can change after this booklet has been published.

2018-2019 As I am sure you are aware the final year at LSA Technology and Performing Arts College will fly by.

With this in mind, it is vitally important to be thinking about where you would like to go after LSA and have firm plans in place before you start your final exams. You are encouraged to use all the resources available so you are equipped to make a choice to start you on your chosen career pathway.

You may wish to request an individual careers interview with me if you are unsure what you want to do. Careers interviews help you focus on your qualities, skills and interests and the thought process of making well informed realistic decisions. The national careers service website www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk offers great advice along with www.Plotr.co.uk to provide an insight into different careers that are available.

We have a page on our school website www.lythamhigh.lancs.sch.uk/careers which will offer information on apprenticeships, colleges and sixth form open days. During the year all local colleges will be holding open days. Please see further into the booklet for dates and times. We also have our school Careers Fair which will take place in the Assembly Hall at LSA on Thursday 19 th October 2018 5pm-7pm.

Yours sincerely Mrs Harrison CEIAG Co-ordinator

WHAT OPTIONS DO I HAVE? All students must now stay in education until they are 18, continuing with one of the following options:-

A-Levels Colleges are now offering 3 A-levels, which students will study over two years. The focus is achieving 3 excellent grades with enrichment/work experience provision to support their steps as no university now demands 4 A-levels. However some colleges still offer 4 subjects.

Apply from October of Year 11 onwards, but definitely before December as interviews will start in January. Most colleges will accept students for A-Levels who are achieving grade 5/6 or above.

Extended Diplomas/BTECs This programme will appeal to those students who want a work- related focus as they are also much more coursework-based. This qualification is equivalent to two or three A levels and is studied over two years. In some cases you will be able to combine BTEC courses with A level courses however most students find that it is best to concentrate on one type of qualification. Level 3 qualifications provide an excellent preparation for university, employment or higher level apprenticeships. Each college and sixth form has its own entry requirements for each course and these will be set out in the prospectus. However, here is a general guide for the requirements for each level.

Apply from October of Year 11 onwards, but definitely before February.

Level Entry Level 1Foundation Level 2Intermediate Level 3Advanced

Example of qualifications Introductory course Basic skills course BTEC Introductory Diploma City & Guilds NVQ Level 1 BTEC First Diploma NVQ Level 2 GCSE Intermediate Apprenticeship A levels BTEC Extended Diploma NVQ Level 3

Example of entry requirements No formal qualifications.

Entry by interview.

No formal qualifications or few GCSEs grade 1-3.

Entry by interview.

GCSEs grade 3 or above and perhaps 2 grade 4s or above.

4 or 5 GCSEs at grade 5 or above. A levels grade 6 or above.

Apprenticeships What is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships combine training in the workplace as a paid employee with part time study towards nationally recognised, relevant qualifications. The minimum wage for an apprentice is £3.90 per hour, although many employers pay their apprentice more than this. Apprenticeships are available at level 2, level 3 and degree apprenticeships.

The North West region had more apprenticeships start than any other region in England in 2014/2015 and 79,310 people began their careers as an apprentice. Apprenticeships can mostly be found in the following areas: Business  Administration  Health and Social Care  Retail  Engineering  Hospitality  Hairdressing  Team Leading  Customer Services  Professional Cookery  Plastering  Painting  Construction  Bricklaying As an apprentice, you will have a paid job with paid holidays, getting practical hands-on training in your chosen are. Apprenticeships are not always easy to find but LSA Technology and Performing Arts College are working hard alongside different providers to bring students apprenticeship options.

Applying for an apprenticeship If a student would like an apprenticeship in one of the above sectors they must provide an up to date CV to the careers office where it can be sent to the relevant companies. If a student already has an apprenticeship lined up, they must provide the careers office with a letter of acceptance to the company they are going to work for.

Useful websites www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk www.workology.co.uk www.vllancs.com www.blackpool.ac.uk/apprenticeships

FAQs Q: How do I apply for a college?

A: You can get application forms from the careers office, the careers fair or local colleges or you can apply online for many of them.

Q: Can I apply to more than one college?

A: Yes- it is advisable to apply for 2 or 3 different places with different requirements, so you have a back-up plan if you don’t get the grades you need.

Q: When should I apply for college/sixth form?

A: October/November onwards- some colleges have a deadline of the end of December and interviews will start in January.

Q: How can I book a careers interview for unbiased information and guidance?

A: See the careers office to book an appointment.

Q: Should I check up on times and dates of open evenings/days before going to any of them?

A: Yes- look on the organisations’ website; dates and times sometimes change.

Q: When should I apply for an apprenticeship?

A: Immediately after Christmas break in Year 11. Always apply for a college course as a backup.

College/Sixth Form Open Days Lytham Sixth Form College Saturday 7th October 2017 10.30am-2.00pm Wednesday 22nd November 2017 5.00pm- 7.00pm Wednesday 14th March 2018 5.00pm-7.00pm

Blackpool & Fylde College Saturday 30th September 2017 10.30am-2.00pm Wednesday 8th November 2017 4.30pm-7.00pm Wednesday 7th March 2018 4.30pm-7.00pm

Myerscough College Saturday 7th October 2017 9.45am-12.30pm Saturday 11th November 2017 9.45am-12.30pm Saturday 9th December 2017 9.45am-12.30pm

Blackpool Sixth Form College Wednesday 11th October 2017 5.30pm-8.00pm Tuesday 7th November 2017 5.30pm-8.00pm Wednesday 7th February 2018 5.30pm-7.30pm

Cardinal Newman College Saturday 7th October 2017 10.00am-2.00pm Thursday 23rd November 2017 5.00pm-8.00pm Thursday 1st February 2018 5.00pm-8.00pm

BAE Systems www.baesystems.com/apprenticeships Closing date around January- please check.

Army www.army.mod.uk Apply early in Year 11.

Royal Navy www.royalnavy.mod.uk Can apply when you are 16 years old

Useful Contacts and websites for further information:Mrs Harrison LSA CEIAG Co-ordinator LSA Technology and Performing Arts College Tel: 01253 667312 Email: zoe.harrison@lythamhigh.lancs.sch.uk

Our school website has careers information. www.lythamhigh.lancs.sch.uk Websites for jobs for young people www.direct.gov.uk/en/youngpeople/index.htm Apprenticeships www.apprenticeships.org.uk Useful for checking course information against university requirements www.ucas.com Useful and slightly unusual careers site, very informative www.plotr.co.uk

College interview hints and tips

First impressions last Greet your interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake. Always give eye contact.

Be Prepared Take your reports with you to an interview. Additional information such as an art and design portfolio will also support your application process for relevant courses. Find out information about the college and courses from their website beforehand.

Be Confident Listen carefully to the questions and answer the questions fully and properly. Don’t waffle- take your time to gather your thoughts. It is better to say you need a minute to think about your answer rather than speak instantly and regret it afterwards.

Why should you be on the course?

All interviewers are looking for the right person for the right course. Be prepared to talk about your knowledge, experience, abilities and skills in the subject area. Be enthusiastic about the course!

Be Positive Your interviewer will be thinking about what it would be like to have you on their course, so they won’t want to hear negative comments or lack of enthusiasm. Interviewers like to see someone who enjoys a challenge and is enthusiastic.

Body Language It is not what you say but how you say it. During the interview don’t slouch, lean back, fold your arms or look down. Sit upright, make eye contact, use your hands and lean forward when making a point.

Develop rapport Show energy, a sense of humour, and a smile!

Check anything you are unsure about If you are not certain what is meant by a particular question, ask for clarification.

Remember your “manners”- be polite at the interview: this will be noted and remembered.

“Please” and “Thank you”.

Questions you may be asked at an interview

What are your predicted grades?

Take your predicted grades, expected grade, mock exam results or already achieved grades to your interview. The interviewer will wish to see if you meet the entry requirements for the course you are applying for.

Why do you want to do this course?

Interviewers use this question to see if you have done your homework and thought about your future. Do you really want to do this course?

What are your strengths?

This is your chance to say what makes you stand out from the next person.

What work experience have you done?

You may have a part time job or do volunteering work. You may also have completed some work experience during holidays. You may discuss areas of your experience that you enjoyed and how much you learned. This will demonstrate to the interviewer that you have a good work ethic.

Describe a problem you have faced and how you solved it.

This is a tough question that is common in interviews. Interviewers are looking for your critical thinking skills and to determine if you can formulate solutions.

Tell me about yourself The interviewer is trying to figure you out professionally. Pick a couple of points about yourself, in relation to what you want to do in the future. The interviewer will not wish to know what games console you use and that you hang around with your mates.

Questions you may wish to ask the interviewer What enrichment courses are available?

(E.g. volunteering, DofE, EPQ, first aid) This tells the interviewer that you are interested in extra courses/classes within the college and would like the opportunity to explore different activities.

What is the dress code?

Different colleges and training providers will have different views on appropriate dress wear.

Different colleges may require overalls or uniforms for example motor vehicle engineering, hairdressing, catering.

What can this course lead to?

It is important to know what options are available to you after the course, so you may know your progression route to reach your careers goal.

May I contact you if I have further questions?

It is always good to end an interview with this question. It keeps the door open for future communication.