Careers Guide 2015

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MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

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Would you like to be part of something great?

Did you know KFC has been accredited as a Top Employer UK and in the Top 50 Great Places to Work for 6 years in a row?

So its official, a job with us is a great one. Why? We think it’s because we give our people the support they need to go for big things in life, like build a career, study for an Apprenticeship or Degree, fit a job around studying and just be their best selves. Their happiness is so important to us, which is why we’re excited to win such great awards! We promote 1500+ people each year, so if you want to, you can really grow your career whether it’s to continue your education on our Apprenticeship Programme or become a manager in one of our restaurants. As part of our restaurant team you meet lots of great people, get great rewards and overall have fun! You also have the chance to really make a difference by supporting our partner charities and work in the local community.

Like what you see? Join us and be your best self!

Full and Part Time Team Member: flexible hours that fit around studying and other commitments with the opportunity to build new skills and start a career http://www.kfccareers.co.uk/working-in-restaurant Apprenticeships: Earn while you learn by completing our Level 2 Apprenticeship in Hospitality Services as a Team Member or our Level 3 Apprenticeship Level 3 in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership as a Team Leader. We currently have 400 qualified apprentices, a further 650 on the programme and 74% of our Advanced Apprenticeship graduates have been promoted within 12 months. We were also were national finalists at the National Apprenticeship Awards 2014. Find out more at http://www.kfccareers.co.uk/working-in-restaurant Retail Management Trainee Scheme: Finished your A Levels or equivalent at college and not sure what’s next? Join our Retail Management Trainee Scheme and fast-track from Team Member to Assistant Manager within just one year. The scheme started last September and we currently have 25 RMT’s in our business with 8 already qualified as Assistant Managers! Find out more at www.kfccareers.co.uk/RMTS 2015

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MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

CONTENTS

5 Foreword

Priti Patel, Minister of State for Employment tells us about career and employment prospects for young people.

27 The Big Hospitality Conversation

7 For better, for worse

Avoid results day confusion and follow our guide to finding your way around the Clearing and Adjustment processes.

8 Where do I go from here?

Read our simple guide to all your post-GCSE qualification options.

11 Young Engineer of the Year Awards

Read all about KMF, a company which understands the importance of raising young people’s awareness of careers in the fabulous world of engineering.

28 World of adventure

Engineers innovate and create – read up on the lowdown for all engineering career options.

15 Where there's a skill, there's a way

Electrician, carpenter, tiler – jobs and careers in the skilled trades are as popular as ever.

16 Where IT and media meet

Have a look at roles and career options in the fastgrowing IT and digital media industries.

19 From field to fork

Ever wondered what it takes to produce a shop-bought sandwich? Chew over the jobs you could consider in the amazing farming and food supply sector.

21 Get your career motoring

Jobs and careers in the automotive industry – it’s not all about oily overalls and spanners!

23 Bentley does it

We interviewed Eddie Brown about life as an intern with Bentley Motors.

24 Six of the best

Dealerships, hire car companies, fast fit garages, and more… There are plenty of places you could work within the vast automotive industry.

Open up to a world of job satisfaction in the sport, leisure, travel and tourism industries.

31 A year in the life of a PGCE student

Meet Ryan Turner who will realise his dream of becoming a teacher when he completes his PGCE and starts work in the classroom this September.

32 Financial times

12 Making it work

Do you want to work in the hospitality sector? The British Hospitality Association tells us the best routes into the industry.

Meet three young people who’ve taken three different routes into their careers in the accountancy and finance sector.

35 Big business

Not going to uni? Check out the alternative routes into the business, finance and law sectors.

37 Routes into accountancy and law

Find out how to get started in one or other of these promising careers.

38 Allied health professions

Find out about careers in the allied health professions, where you could work as a key member of a healthcare team.

41 Supporting roles

Choose a career in health and social care and make a real difference to peoples’ lives.

43 Work it out

The top ten things employers look for – how to hone your employability skills to perfection!

45 Do the rounds

Going to Open Days is essential when it comes to choosing the right course and location for you.

46 Charity focus

Find out about Moving On’s great working relationship with local charity group, The Workshop.

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

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CITY GATEWAY

Do you need help figuring out your next step?

If you have a passion for Business Administration Customer Service Sports Fitness

Childcare IT Accountancy

City Gateway could be a great place for you.

For more details about training, traineeships and Apprenticeships visit citygateway.org.uk ‘Getting your foot on the door is priceless and that’s what City Gateway did for me’ Zan Mahmood – Ex student

Rated Good

!

W O LY N

2014

APP

Bexley college offers a wide range of vocational courses for school leavers and adults

Contact us on 01322 404000 or visit www.bexley.ac.uk 4

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

@/bexleycollege

Access Courses | Apprenticeships | Art & Design | Beauty Therapy | Building Studies | Business | Child Care |Construction | Customer Service English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) | English & Maths | Foundation Learning | Graphic Design | Hairdressing & Barbering Higher Education | Health & Social Care | Health & Human Sciences | Horticulture | Hospitality & Catering | Humanities & Social Science ICT & Computing | Law | Life & Work Skills | Media Production | Music & Performing Arts | Nursing | Personal Development Photography | Social Work | Sports & Leisure | Teaching Assistant

FOREWORD

ForEWORD

Publisher Lynette Daly Editor Kate Newton Email: editor@walpolepublishing.co.uk Front cover design Gerrard Noble Production Manager Anthony Brooks Social Media Co-ordinator Tom Clover Advertising Chris Bird, Account Manager Email: chris@walpolepublishing.co.uk Tel: 01789 509004 Samantha Beishon, Account Manager Email: samantha@walpolepublishing.co.uk Tel: 01789 509007 Gerry Hewitt, Account Manager Email: gerry@walpolepublishing.co.uk Tel: 01789 509005 Schools, colleges & sixth forms Annual Subscription Email: info@walpolepublishing.co.uk Walpole Publishing Ltd. Union House 7-9 Union Street Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire CV37 6QT Tel: 01789 509001 Special thanks to Jacky and Ian White at Propak (UK) Ltd.

Walpole Media Group Walpole Publishing Ltd isLimited part of Walpole Media Group Ltd. Walpole Publishing Ltd. has made every effort to ensure that the information in this publication was correct at the time of going to press and hereby disclaim any liability to any party caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence or any other cause.

Priti Patel, Minister of State for Employment Results day can be nerve-racking – I know how much pressure young people will be feeling after having worked so hard, for so long. But important as they are, exam results are only one part of the next stage in your career.

Whatever that envelope reveals, there are many other ingredients to having a successful career. I believe the key elements are: the right training, the right attitude and the right opportunities, which include going to university, doing an apprenticeship, a traineeship or going straight into a job – the world is your oyster.

There are expected to be 14 million job opportunities in the next decade, in every imaginable industry. That’s 14 million chances to work hard, gain the right skills and make the most of your life.

My father set up a newsagent’s and I helped him by stuffing newspapers with supplements and working in the shop. Seeing him get up at 4am every day to make his business a success helped me understand the value of work and this is a sentiment I hear echoed by many business owners today.

That is why, as Employment Minister, I want to help set young people up for the best start in life. Through education, training and apprenticeships, the Government wants to make the most of the talent the UK has to offer as well as reducing youth unemployment, which has already fallen by more than 200,000 in the last five years.

We want all young people to experience the dignity and security which comes from earning a living. Work coaches at Jobcentre Plus can tell you about our work experience schemes and sector-based Work Academies.

These give participants job tasters, training and a guaranteed interview for jobs in a range of industries, including hospitality and retail.

I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose to do in the future.

Remember, a combination of hard work, a good attitude, perseverance and making the most of opportunities makes all the difference – and we want to support you to do that.

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

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MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

Lead Sponsor

CLEARING AND ADJUSTMENT

For better, for worse...

Follow our guide to the dos and don’ts of dealing with Clearing and Adjustment on A-level results day.

The Clearing process If you don’t get the grades you need for your firstchoice university, the Clearing process enables you to search for a place at an alternative university.

You will be entered automatically into Clearing

by UCAS, the body through which you’ll have applied before sitting your A-levels.

Not getting the right grades will leave you feeling disappointed – but you CAN turn things around if you tackle the Clearing process in a calm and methodical way.

What you have to do Firstly, you will need to go on to the UCAS website to register on ‘Track’ then follow the instructions.

You’ll have to make phone calls to lots of universities. It is vital that it’s you (not your mum or your teacher) who does the talking, no matter how upset you feel. Universities want to talk to potential students in person and this is a secondchance situation only YOU can handle.

Research alternative unis and courses carefully – don’t rush into anything because you feel panicky. Getting onto the wrong degree course out of desperation could end up being worse than having to do retakes, in the long run.

You will have to discuss your grades so have a list of your A-level, AS and GCSE results handy and the number of UCAS tariff points those grades add up to – you will definitely be asked about these by each university you contact.

Initially, you’ll speak to the university’s Clearing team and if you have a good case, they’ll put you through to a programme administrator. At this stage you’ll be able to discuss things in detail and now’s the time to put your case forward confidently as well as deciding whether the course measures up to the one you wanted to study originally.

If all goes well, the university will make a verbal offer which will stand for 24 hours but you must ask for confirmation in writing and make a decision as soon as possible.

Adjustment

“YOU CAN TURN THINGS AROUND IF YOU TACKLE THE CLEARING PROCESS IN A CALM AND METHODICAL WAY.”

If you’ve done better than expected, you can go through the adjustment process to get on to a better degree course at a different university to the one you chose initially, as long as a place is available.

What you have to do Register on ‘Track’ via the UCAS website and make sure you have your personal ID ready. You will have to do all the research into which course you would prefer to study and where yourself and then call up the university, to state your case. If they have a place they may well offer it to you verbally but do not accept it until you are absolutely sure. Once you accept, the university will add itself to your application and your Track screen will be updated. ■

For all things uni visit our uni page at: www. movingonmagazine. co.uk

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

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QUALIFICATIONS

Where do I go from here?

Do you want to know which qualifications you can do once you’ve finished your GCSEs? Read our simple guide to what you can do next…

NVQs NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) involve doing practical, work-related tasks in the workplace or in settings similar to the workplace – like a carpentry or garage workshop within a college if you’re training to become a carpenter or a car mechanic, for example. Many employers allow you to study for an NVQ in work time and NVQs are available in hundreds of different subjects – the most popular of which are Business and Administration, Hairdressing, Supporting Teaching (Teaching Assistant), Team Leading, Childcare and Education and Health & Social Care. Most courses are run from Levels 1-5.

BTECs BTECs are widely recognised work-related qualifications which are well suited to people of differing age groups and abilities. BTECs offer a practical, flexible, real world way to learn about a subject and there are 2000 different subjects you could choose to study ranging from Applied Science to Public and Uniformed Services. BTECs are graded by using a Pass (P), Merit (M), Distinction (D) and Distinction* (D*) scale and also carry valuable UCAS tariff points for anyone thinking about going on to study a degree at university. BTECs are awarded by the Edexcel exam board and can be taken at different ability levels so you could choose to study for a BTEC certificate, a BTEC Subsidiary Diploma or a BTEC National Diploma, to name but a few. BTECs are available at various different academic levels, from pre-GCSE to the equivalent of degree level.

HNCs and HNDs HNCs (Higher National Certificate) and HNDs (Higher National Diploma) can be studied either part time or full time at a college of further education. They are similar to BTECs in that you take them in order to gain the skills you need to do a particular job. HNCs and HNDs are highly valued by employers and to study for an HNC you’ll need previous qualifications such as GCSEs and for an HND you’ll need at least one A-level under your belt. When you have passed your course an HNC or an HND will gain you entry onto the second year of a degree course at university. Sometimes, having an HND will even allow you to join a degree course in the third year.

A-levels A-levels are the qualifications which follow on from GCSEs. They are usually studied full time, over two years at school sixth-forms or colleges of further 8

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

education. There are hundreds of subjects you could choose to study at A-level which fall into several practical or traditionally academic categories which include the arts and humanities, languages, science, maths and technology. The combination of subjects you choose is very important as it will influence your chances of getting onto a degree course at university.

Changes to the current A-level system are being phased in over the next two years in order to give them uniformity and so that marks are consistent across all subjects. This makes it easier for universities to measure an applicant’s

true ability, no matter which subjects they have studied. A-level students will be tested on their knowledge and understanding of the whole subject, not just facts and figures and will take one set of exams at the end of their two year A-level course. At the moment, A-levels students are tested in a modular way, i.e. coursework is marked at regular intervals throughout the two-year course.

AS levels, a stand-alone qualification, are currently taken in the first year of the two-year course but they may well disappear altogether once the new A-levels have been in place for a time.

Apprenticeships You can do an apprenticeship from the age of 16 while you’re still in school and if you live in England but you’re not in full time education. It’s a way of learning the skills you’ll need to do a specific job, and to advance your career prospects whilst earning a wage.

Doing an apprenticeship is a good option for young people who don’t want to go into full time, further education or go to university but who would like to gain nationally recognised, work-related qualifications and further their career in a practical, hands-on environment, gaining skills

by working alongside experienced professionals.

To get on to an apprenticeship you may need up to five GCSEs at grade A* to C, including English and maths. An apprenticeship usually takes between one and three years to complete.

There are three different levels of apprenticeship. An Intermediate apprenticeship is the equivalent to 5 GCSE passes. An Advanced apprenticeship is equivalent to 2 A-level passes and a Higher apprenticeship can lead to an NVQ Level 4 and above or a foundation degree. ■ MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

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100s of Courses

ENROLLING NOW!

Childcare Fashion Design Plumbing 3D Design Food Studies Finance & Accounts Performing Arts IT & Computing Hair & Beauty Health & Social Care

As a Gazelle college, one of only 18 in the UK, we pride ourselves on giving our students enterprise & employability skills alongside technical expertise in their chosen career path.

Our Entrepreneurs Academy has a talent bank of students who deliver comissioned projects for businesses.

Follow in the footsteps of our BDC Stars!

Motor Vehicle Photography Games Development

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Multi-Award Winning College “Enterprising College of The Year” 2015 “Outstanding Support for Students” 2014 “Outstanding e-Learning Team” 2012

“If you want to achieve success come to BDC”

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 100s of courses for all ages

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 Traineeships

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020 3667 0294 www.bdc.ac.uk

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MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

“Outstanding Entrepreneurship in Learning & Skills” 2011 We have partnerships with companies like: Estēe Lauder, Siemens, Metro Bank, Morrisons, CISCO, NHS, Costain and many more...

ENGINEERING

Image courtesy of The Image Factory (Photographers) Ltd

Young Engineer of the Year Awards Staffordshire-based company, KMF Metal has recently held its third annual Young Engineer of the Year award ceremony and told Moving On all about it… n 2013, Staffordshire-based precision sheet metal company, KMF, launched their Young Engineer of the Year (YEOTY) awards, to raise awareness amongst Staffordshire school pupils of the need for innovative young people to join the engineering industry.

YEOTY was set up to raise young peoples’ aspirations, to challenge students to achieve a goal, to inspire them and show them the benefits of a career in engineering as well as to promote apprenticeships and teach them the business skills they’ll need in the future.

In the pilot competition held in 2013, over 1,754 students from 16 high schools in Staffordshire took part in The Clock Project. Each team was given only a clock mechanism, some batteries and a simple design brief. They were then challenged to design a clock which could be sold on the high street, and a staggering 604 finished clocks were received back! Last year’s awards for The Greenpower Project, to design the fastest kit car, went down equally well with schools in the Staffordshire area.

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For the 2015 competition, teams from 23 schools worked with their designated sponsor. This year’s event was aptly named The Gadget Show meets Dragons’ Den and the students had to set up a trade show-style stand and then go into the den to pitch their gadget idea to a panel of judges.

Three teenagers from Painsley Catholic College in Staffordshire were announced as the winners of competition. The team invented a simple device called the Easy Egg, which cracks and separates eggs from their shells without making a mess. Their invention was judged to be the best in the competition by Jason Bradbury, host of Channel 5’s The Gadget Show.

The runners-up in the 2015 YEOTY competition were Ormiston Horizon Academy with Rubeats and winners in other categories were: Best Trade Stand– Clayton Hall, with Lumos; Best Pitch– St Margaret Ward, with Soundwaves and Best Gadget (chosen by Jason Bradbury of TV’s The Gadget Show) – Haywood Academy, with Spell Scribe.

KMF will be running another YEOTY competition for the coming academic year starting in September 2015. ■

“THIS YEAR’S EVENT WAS APTLY NAMED THE GADGET SHOW MEETS DRAGONS’ DEN.”

KMF is an engineering company based in Staffordshire which offers inhouse engineering apprenticeship schemes.

They work with bigname companies like Bentley, JCB and Rolls Royce and are keen to attract 16 year-olds on to their engineering apprenticeship programmes.

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ENGINEERING

Making it work Engineers make things work and they design, create and innovate to improve lives. Want to know more? Read on for the low-down on all your engineering career options… ngineering is everywhere and plays a big part in almost every industry you can think of. Engineers tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems – from dealing with cyber security and maintaining clean water and energy supplies to finding sustainable ways to grow food, build houses and travel.

Engineers present solutions to immediate and long-term problems. Engineers are involved with designing diagnostic equipment used in hospitals, building sustainable accommodation and inventing gadgets to make our lives easier – from robotic lawnmowers to emotional computers. They develop life-saving medical equipment and minimise the damage from earthquakes, they develop computer games and help chart-topping musicians to record songs.

You find engineers in many different places, including offices, laboratories, industrial sites, design studios, hospitals, disaster sites, outdoors, in the air and at sea. Some roles involve creative, hands-on practical work and others are more about problem solving. The one thing they all have in common is that they use maths and science (especially physics) to improve the world around us. The pace of technological development is such that in five or ten years’ time, engineers will be working in jobs that don’t exist today – that’s an exciting thought!

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Image courtesy of Semta

Employment prospects People with engineering skills are in high demand in the UK and employers, who need to fill tens of thousands of vacancies each year, offer very good salaries to engineers and engineering technicians.

People with engineering and technology degrees earn around 20 per cent more per year than the average salary for all graduates. Technicians, who often work with engineers to solve practical engineering problems, also earn well above the national average wage (approximately £6,000 more each year).

Entry requirements and qualifications You can take a vocational, apprenticeship or academic route into engineering – or a combination of these. Engineers qualify via both university and apprenticeship routes and engineering technicians are usually trained though a vocational or apprenticeship route.

Engineering degrees normally require you to have studied maths and physics (or chemistry, depending on the branch of engineering) at A-level or the equivalent. Other useful subjects include design and technology and computer science. NVQs, Advanced Apprenticeships and other equivalent qualifications may also be accepted.

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MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

As you’d expect, the requirements will vary from course to course so double check the UCAS website or call the university admissions department directly. If you haven’t studied the right subjects or gained the grades you need, you could consider an engineering degree that offers the option of a foundation year to boost your maths or physics knowledge.

Choose your field Though universities offer degrees in general engineering, many degree courses are in specific engineering disciplines such as civil, electrical, chemical, or mechanical engineering, to provide the specialist knowledge

relevant for that field. Undergraduate courses, which normally last for three years, lead to a BSc or BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) and some include a year in industry or time working abroad. An MSc or MEng (Master of Engineering) tends to last for four or five years and involves in-depth study and a research project.

Apprenticeships If you’d rather get into engineering through a practical, work-based route, you have a number of options.

Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with study for vocational qualifications, or often a degree. You might also be interested to know that engineering employers tend to pay

apprentices quite a bit more than the national minimum apprentice wage.

Vocational routes So what are the vocational qualifications?

They include BTEC Diplomas, City & Guilds, EAL NVQs and SVQs, HNCs, HNDs and can be taken full-time (at school/FE college/UTC) or part-time during an apprenticeship. Vocational qualifications (also known as Tech Levels) link your learning to real life problems and are well regarded by employers and the engineering profession. They cover a wide range of subjects. You might fancy a diploma in aeronautic engineering, environmental sustainability or software development – or an NVQ/

SVQ in materials processing or marine engineering. If you go for an HNC/HND your choices could include civil, electronic/ electrical or mechanical engineering.

If you’re looking for a job with real earning potential, great career progression and scope for travelling and moving across different industries and sectors, engineering really could be for you and if it is there’s bound to be a route in to suit you too. ■

For more information about different ways into engineering and to hear from real engineers doing real jobs, visit: www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

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they

how

do

get the

bubbles

ENGINEERING, THAT’S HOW!

in a

chocolate bar?

Did you know that one bubbly chocolate bar can have more than 20,000 tiny air bubbles inside?

Incredible really, and it is all down to engineering to get them all the perfect size.

If this sounds intriguing and you love maths and science, then the BEng and MEng Food Engineering courses at Sheffield Hallam University could be for you.

With a BEng or MEng Food Engineering degree, you will be well on your way to a

“This course is unique and the involvement from food companies od makes it a really go opportunity. I’m so excited and looking forward to it. I’ve always wanted to be .” in the food industry Blyth Mkonya, ring MEng Food Enginee student

fantastic career with one of the UK’s bestloved food and drink brands.

These exciting courses have been designed together with top engineers at some of the UK’s most well-known food and drink companies.

It’s not too late to apply for these courses and get:

y dustr n i l a re ce Gain experien ! y k d r wo you stu e l whi

1. A Food and Drink Federation 3. The opportunity to apply for jobs exclusively on offer to bursary of £2,500 if they start the course in course graduates (subject September 2015 and 2016. to final grades, references and employer recruitment 6. Expertise in mechanical 2. The chance to work with processes) engineering, process some of the UK’s, and systems design and 4. Guaranteed, competitivelythe world’s, greatest food much more - gaining the paid work placements whilst and drink companies industry’s most soughtyou study - the equivalent including: Arla Foods, after skills of up to £17,000 pro-rata Coca-Cola Enterprises, Mondelez International, 5. Access to the UK’s KP Snacks, Mars, Burton’s first national Centre of Biscuit Company, Nestlé Excellence for Food and UK, PepsiCo UK, Tate & Lyle Drink Engineering, providing Sugars and many more. exposure to cutting-edge technology and the latest For the full list go to developments www.foodengineer.co.uk

Find out more about these courses BEng: http://bit.ly/BEngfoodengineering MEng: http://bit.ly/foodengineering

Follow us on: #FoodEngineering www.facebook.com/UKFoodEngineer ukfoodengineer.tumblr.com/ 14

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

Co-investment from

Employer Investment Fund

SKILLED TRADES

CC BY 2.0 / Scott Lewis

Where there's a skill, there's a way Getting a job in one of the skilled trades is still a really popular career choice for school leavers – check out our list of construction industry roles...

Bricklayers build and repair internal and external walls for all sorts of buildings from houses to hospitals to factories and schools. They also build drain inspection chambers, tunnels, chimney stacks and walls in gardens and public spaces.

Hours and salary –39 -45 hours a week, salaries can start from £15,000 a year and increase to £30,000 a year, when fully qualified and experienced or an expert in related areas like stonemasonry or architectural conservation and preservation.

Carpenters and joiners install wooden infrastructures on construction sites. They lay floors, build staircases and construct fixtures and fittings in places like shops and bars, as well as fitting kitchens, bathrooms, shelving and storage units in homes and workplaces. They also construct stands at large exhibitions or build sets for film, theatre, music and TV productions.

Hours and salary – working 39-45 hours a week, a carpenter can earn up to £14,000 a year to start with and once fully qualified, can expect to earn up to £30,000 a year.

Electricians test, fit and repair electrical circuits and wiring in residential properties and businesses premises. Unlike some other

skilled trades, you have to have specific, formal qualifications to become an electrician in order to comply with health and safety regulations.

Hours and salary –an electrician works around 40 hours a week. Once qualified the starting wage is around £10,000 a year and with experience this could rise to £30,000.

Plasterers mix and apply plaster to interior surfaces to protect them, strengthen them and make them smooth and ready for decoration.

They also render external walls with protective materials such as pebbledash.

Hours and salary – A plasterer will usually work around 40 hours a week but needs to be flexible and may have to work evenings and weekends.

A plasterer is a skilled tradesman and can earn between £17-22,000 a year.

Tiler – Tilers cover walls or floors with tiles in kitchens, bathrooms, shops, restaurants, hotels and structures like swimming pools or decorative external walls in gardens.

Hours and salary –Tilers usually work between 37 and 45 hours a week, trainees can earn up to £14,000 a year. Qualified tilers can earn between £17-30,000 a year. ■

“UNLIKE SOME OTHER SKILLED TRADES, YOU HAVE TO HAVE SPECIFIC, FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS TO BECOME AN ELECTRICIAN IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS.”

visit: www.guildmc.com for more information on skilled trades

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IT AND MEDIA

Where IT and media meet The world of digital media is fast-paced and IT driven and there are likely to be plenty of jobs out there, as it’s a growth industry. Here are a few roles you may not have heard of… ost media IT jobs involve you working on your own part of a project but as part of a team. You might be working on mobile app or web development, in print or digital publications, in e-commerce or in TV or film. This means that it is really important that you are a team player and that you understand the importance of getting your bit of the job done to a tight deadline.

M

Scrum master The scrum master drives and guides a complex team of developers and designers to complete their jobs and tracking progress. Each team member has their own project management responsibilities (this is called agile project management) but the responsibility for completion of the whole project is divided amongst the scrum master and other team members.

CC BY 2.0 / Kars Alfrink

Graphic designer Whether working on the design elements of a magazine or a website, the graphic designer works with other team members to conceptualize ideas, create graphics and icons. It is their job to make sure that the product owner gets their ideas presented as they want and that the end user has the best experience. Graphic designers work with visual design tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator and Maya.

Front-end developer Whenever you access a website or app you can thank (or not) the front-end developer for all their hard work and programming to make sure that your visual and interactive experience is a good one. Nowadays, front-end development (so-called because it’s the bit that you see and use directly) needs to allow for usability in any cross-operating system, cross-browser and cross-device.

Back-end developer Whilst the front-end developer is busy making sure that you can see and interact with the app or the website, the back-end developer is developing the components and features that sit behind the front-end (user interface) and 16

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

which basically provide the functionality.

They use programming languages such as Ruby, PHP and Java.

Full stack developer Any control freaks or ‘jacks of all trades’ out there might like to do both front-end and back-end development.

These people are called full stack developers and where pay is based on ‘awesomeness’, this would definitely be something to mention!

Web editor All the design and development in the world isn’t going to help if the content on your website is unreadable. Web editors review

content and improve it, so this role requires a pretty good combination of English and IT skills and you might need some confidence with Photoshop or basic HTML as well as knowing about search engine optimisation (SEO) techniques.

Technical production assistant Technical production assistants work with editors and doing this job can be a great way to start your journalistic career.

Production assistants sub-edit copy and also set text with images so some image editing skills are needed. To do this job, familiarity with content management systems is necessary as well as a working knowledge of publishing law.

Data journalist Finally, a relatively new and exciting IT media role is that of the data journalist.

Gathering up data, combining it with other data, analysing it, drawing conclusions and presenting this data in the form of static or interactive infographics is the job of the data journalist. ■

“ANY CONTROL FREAKS OR ‘JACKS OF ALL TRADES’ OUT THERE MIGHT LIKE TO DO BOTH FRONT-END AND BACKEND DEVELOPMENT.”

Glossary Search engine optimisation (SEO) improves your website ranking using keywords and links.

Content management system (CMS) is a computer application that allows publishing, editing and modifying of content from a central point.

UI or GUI stands for user interface (graphic user interface) and it’s where human and machine interact.

UX is short for user experience and as a designer / developer you want it to be good.

Wireframe is a visual representation of a website framework – a kind of blueprint.

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

17

What next? There is an alternative to staying on at school I knew school wasn’t for me, I came to Capel to do the Animal Management Advanced Diploma. I found the practical elements to the course intriguing, from working with the animals to completing lab experiments with bacteria. I loved my course and am working towards becoming a veterinary surgeon and studying at the Royal Veterinary College. I couldn’t have achieved this without Capel.

Simone

• 96%* of our students recommend Capel • 95% of our students completing their course achieved their qualification • 8 out of 10 students progressed to university or into a career We are holding Advice Days to help you determine your next steps on Friday, 21 August, from 10am to 4pm at our Crystal Palace Park, Enfield and Gunnersbury Park centres. At Capel you will be supported and inspired, we will help you achieve your goals.

For further information on our courses and centres call:

08456 122 122 or visit www.capel.ac.uk *Data taken from the Ofsted Learner View Survey.

Leading the field in animal management, arboriculture, countryside management, environmental conservation, floristry, garden design, horticulture, landscaping, leatherwork, outdoor adventure and saddlery at centres across London.

Combining qualifications with experience

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MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

LAND-BASED

Images courtesy of Bright Crop

From field to fork Take a look at the fascinating world of farming and food supply and land yourself a tasty career in the agri-food industry. hether you live in a city or you’re surrounded by fields, you are interacting with agriculture every day without even realising it. Every time you eat a meal, you are consuming the products of the agri-food, farming and food supply industry – one of the largest in the UK and worldwide.

The agri-food industry employs 3.5 million people in the UK, which is roughly equivalent to one in every seven jobs but they’re not all farmers.

Farmers are at the heart of food production, but what they do is just part of a growing network of occupations which contributes to the highly complex process of turning livestock and crops into the food on your plate. So who else is involved?

It takes hundreds of people to produce something as simple as a sandwich. Behind the scenes, research scientists investigate how to make healthier, higher yielding crops. Agronomists (plant specialists) advise farmers on how to deal with weather, pests and diseases. Policy officers work with the Government or travel to Brussels to work with the European Union, to ensure that agri-food is high on the political agenda. Skilled mechanical engineers design, build and service the huge machinery essential in the harvesting and processing of such large quantities of food.

Traders and buyers watch the global markets, ready to spot the best deals.

People who work in agri-food do more than you think. They work in scientific research using cutting-edge technology. They are creative

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problem-solvers, working towards achieving food security. They get to travel, earn competitive salaries and have great scope for career development in their chosen field.

There are many routes into this industry, whether you want to do a degree or you're a more hands on, learn on-the-job person. Studying science subjects will provide you with a strong foundation but many different subject areas can offer a route into a career in agriculture.

Interested? The following are just a few roles you could consider if you want to work in the world of farming and food supply: • •

•

• • • • •

Research – scientific research into all aspects of farming, food and agriculture.

Engineering and manufacturing – designing agricultural machines and equipment or carrying out maintenance and repairs.

Logistics and transport – transporting animals and food, from farms to supermarkets, shops and restaurants.

Trading – dealing and trading in agricultural products on the stock market in the City.

Farming – Raising livestock and/or growing arable crops.

Management – farm and estate management, land management Policy advisor – talking to governments about agricultural policy and practice.

Renewables – making farming environmentally friendly. ■

“THE AGRI-FOOD INDUSTRY EMPLOYS 3.5 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UK.”

For more information go to: www.brightcrop. org.uk/explore-yourcareer.aspx

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19

Drive your students towards an Apprenticeship The world of vehicles is no longer about grease and overalls. Technology is taking over, and providing a first class customer experience is a priority.

We are looking for the next generation to learn and lead in the automotive industry, starting with an apprenticeship.

Whilst your students might not have heard the name Babcock, they will recognise our customers who trust us to deliver their training, giving their apprentices the technical and life skills to build their careers in the industry.

Babcock works with some of the UK’s leading car manufacturers, retailers and fleet operators.

Apprenticeship programmes span a wide range of disciplines so you can choose a career with cars or customers. Some of programmes available include apprenticeships with: • • • •

BMW Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Mazda Isuzu

• • •

Royal Mail Group Subaru Volkswagen Group

Your students will get the opportunity to earn a regular wage working in a retail centre or fleet operation team and learn in world class training facilities whilst working towards a nationally recognised qualification. With real world experience and a nationally recognised qualification under their belt they will be on the right path for a successful career within their chosen organisation.

Apprenticeships are available within each of our customers organisations for: • • •

Service Technician Parts Advisor / Consultant Service Advisor / Customer Service Advisor

Find out more: Tel: 0870 013 0325 Email: automotive@babcockinternational.com Web: www.babcockinternational.com/automotive Like us on: www.facebook.com/babcockautomotive Follow us: @babcocktraining

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MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

It gives you a much better prospect of getting employed and sets you up better than going to uni.

Service Technician Apprentice

If anyone is going to apply for an apprenticeship programme, I’d tell them to go for it because its changed my life.

Paint Technician Apprentice

I would say definitely go with this apprenticeship programme. Its just the best.

Service Technician Apprentice

AUTOMOTIVE

Image courtesy of The IMI (The Institute of the Motor Industry)

Get Your Career Motoring

The automotive industry has hundreds of different career roles on offer – not just the obvious ones which involve wearing oily overalls and wielding a spanner! Read on for more info…

Overview Motor vehicles have changed our lives beyond all recognition. Twenty miles used to take a whole day but now it’s a normal commute. Vehicle transport plays an essential role in most people’s lives, which explains how the industry has grown so big in size and importance. If you are looking for career opportunities with great prospects for progression in a hi-tech industry, look no further than the retail motor industry.

The retail motor industry is concerned with all aspects of cars, vans and motorcycles, as well as commercial vehicles. Automotive technology has advanced more in the last ten years, than it has in the past 100. In this cutting-edge industry, much of the work on today’s precision vehicles is based around computer diagnostics. To continue its extraordinary success, the automotive industry needs to recruit highly skilled, highly qualified people into the hundreds of different job roles it has on offer. The automotive industry is a very broad area and employs people to not only sell vehicles but to fix and service them, and to administer all sorts of vehicle-related businesses and perform behind-the-scenes tasks.

You could find yourself selling BMWs for a large dealership, fixing technical problems with hi-tech diagnostic equipment or designing marketing campaigns for the latest vehicle models. Large automotive businesses also require people who have skills in other vital roles, such as finance and IT.

Progression Because it is a specialist sector, the motor industry often has clear progression routes for those within it. A receptionist at a dealership could progress on to become a sales manager, a dealership principal and beyond. A committed vehicle technician could become a master technician, a workshop manager and then perhaps go on to take up a prestigious teaching position at a manufacturer academy.

Automotive management apprenticeships are also an option for those seeking higher education opportunities. If you are interested in managing and motivating staff, enjoy devising strategies, and are keen to manage budgets, this could be the route for you. The sky really is the limit in such an exciting industry if you have the passion and drive to succeed. ■

“LARGE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESSES ALSO REQUIRE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SKILLS IN OTHER VITAL ROLES, SUCH AS FINANCE AND IT.”

Find out about automotive careers at: www.theimi.org.uk

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MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

AUTOMOTIVE

Images courtesy of Bentley Motors

Bentley does it Eddie Brown is an engineering intern at Bentley Motors and is on a one year placement as part of his degree course. Moving On asked him how he’s been getting on… ddie works as part of the ergonomics team at Bentley Motors which involves testing products in relation to the human body. He talked to Moving On about this fascinating internship…

“I studied economics, Spanish and psychology at A-level but design has always been an area of interest for me.

“When it came time to choosing what to do next I felt that striving for a vocation that I would enjoy was equally as important as going into a field of work-based on aptitude. So, it was apparent to me that choosing a degree that was both interesting and which would make me employable was crucial, especially with the tuition fee increase.

“I am studying for a BSc in Ergonomics and Human Factors at Loughborough University. It’s a four-year degree which requires a year out in industry. I was lucky enough to gain a place on

E

the internship programme at Bentley and I will return to Loughborough for my final year in September 2015.

“The experience gained from my placement is invaluable. It has given me a chance to apply what I have learned through real projects and I can use the new skills and work ethic that I have gained to better understand my course at university.

“Bentley is owned by Volkswagen which also owns many other motor companies around the world and I think that living and working in a different culture would be an enriching experience.

“I also plan on doing some courses on computer programming and Adobe Illustrator to be more qualified for jobs in interaction and user experience design, as I’ve enjoyed being involved in projects concerning human/machine interaction, as well as investigating women’s needs in the automotive design process.” ■

“IT WAS APPARENT TO ME THAT CHOOSING A DEGREE THAT WAS BOTH INTERESTING AND WOULD MAKE ME EMPLOYABLE WAS CRUCIAL.” Discover the Bentley internship programme at: www.bentleycareers. com

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23

AUTOMOTIVE

Six of the best Job options in the automotive industry? There are loads of them! We’ve narrowed down the list to the six main areas you could work in – check it out and see which role might suit you!

1. Dealerships A car dealership is a business that sells new or used cars at retail level and which usually has a contract with a particular car manufacturer or its sales division. A car dealership employs sales advisers and sales managers to sell cars to members of the public and businesses. A dealership also provides after-sales services and will have a workshop where repairs, tests and MOTs are carried out. They will also employ administrative staff such as receptionists and accountants.

Jobs in this area Dealerships need to employ people with a wide range of skills, from telesales people in their parts department, car sales advisers, receptionists, human resources staff, accountants, customer service staff and after-sales managers to repair technicians and car valeters.

2. Renting and leasing A car rental or hire car agency is a company that rents cars, vans, motorbikes or scooters out to its customers for short periods of time, sometimes for a few hours, sometimes for a few days or for the duration of a two week holiday or business trip. They usually have a number of branches which are mostly located near airports or busy city tourist areas.

People also hire cars when their own vehicles have been damaged or are in a garage for repairs. Vehicle leasing companies work on a similar principle but they hire out cars etc. for a longer period of time, generally to businesses which need whole fleets of cars for their workforce.

Jobs in this area Car rental, hire and leasing companies also employ a wide range of staff to cover various roles such as vehicle returns inspectors, valeters, fleet controllers, fleet managers and fleet maintenance technicians. They also employ accountants, human resources staff and receptionists.

3. Mobile specialists Mobile specialists are the people who come out to mend your car when it’s been damaged and you can’t drive it to a garage. Mobile specialists 24

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

come out to repair shattered or cracked windscreens, to retrieve keys which have been locked inside vehicles or to repair or change tyres, for instance.

Jobs in this area Jobs include glazer, smart repairer, electrical installation technician, recovery driver and roadside assistance technician.

4. Body repair A body repair shop is the workshop where you take a car to have dents and bumps removed from its main bodywork and damaged panels after

Image courtesy of The IMI (The Institute of the Motor Industry)

an accident or if the vehicle has been neglected and needs to be repaired.

as other parts which may need replacing or repairing.

Jobs in this area There are trainee, junior and senior roles in body repair including mechanical, electrical and trim technicians as well as paint, panel and restoration technician roles. Body shops will also employ workers in roles such as warranty administrator, damage assessor and parts adviser.

Jobs in this area Fast fit garages will employ mechanics and technicians who specialise in changing and fitting tyres, batteries and exhausts and other major car components. There will usually be a role for a manager or supervisor in a fast fit garage.

5. Fast fit

6. Independent garages

Fast fit or quick fit garages are the places to go to when you need to replace parts of your car like the tyres, the battery or the exhaust system as well

Independent garages can perform all sorts of different repairs on any make of vehicle which is what distinguishes it from a car dealership which specialises

in servicing and repairing only one make of car. Independent garages can vary in size, from quite large, where they might employ administrative, financial and sales staff, to very small, run by only one person who does everything.

Jobs in this area Larger independent garages may employ a lot of different people with different skills in roles such as after-sales adviser, customer service staff, parts advisers and people in administrative and financial management roles. Behind the scenes they will employ a range of technicians including MOT examiners, diagnostic technicians, sales advisers and sales managers. â– MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

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WM-Forum.pdf

learning

It combines training at the UKSA in Cowes with periods of practical employment, so you could finish your studies debt-free. There’s also an option to study for a foundation degree too.

14:56

Wednesday 11th November Where next for Apprenticeships?

earning

If you’re 18-25, want an alternative to university and are thinking about a career on superyachts, our Professional Yacht Cadetship is a great way to start.

15/07/2015

Keynote Seminars

From

to

1

Key areas for discussion will include: Trailblazer initiatives Improving employer engagement Future funding for apprenticeships and levels of employer contribution Young peoples’ awareness of apprenticeships as a career pathway and raising apprenticeships’ parity of esteem with higher education.

For more information or to book a place at this event, go to: www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/ forums/book_event.php?eid=1087&type=parl-offs

Make the change.

Launch your career at sea.

Visit uksa.org Email careers@uksa.org Call 01983 203038 UKSAsailing

Thursday 3rd December The future for careers education, advice and guidance in England for schools and for adults.

@UKSAsailing

UKSAsailing

The main area for discussion will be: How to improve the standard of careers advice and guidance in England.

For more information or to book a place at this event, go to: www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/forums/event.php?eid=1038 Professional

Development

Schools & Groups

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AELP Into Work Programme Advert 148x210mm_Layout 1 04/06/2015 19:40 Page 1

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MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

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HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM

Image courtesy of British Hospitality Association

The Big Hospitality Conversation Are you eager to start your career and progress quickly? Have you sent out hundreds of CVs and attended endless interviews and not heard anything back?

Then carry on reading because the world of hospitality and tourism is waiting to welcome you into the team! his vibrant industry employs more than three million people in the UK, making it the fourth largest industry and with two in five employees under the age of 30 it is packed with young people!

The hospitality industry is an ideal career option for those who want an exciting career where no two days are the same – and one where anyone can start as a front of house brand ambassador and end up in the boardroom.

There are loads of career entry points, so it is not just about becoming a famous chef. It is also about marketing, human resources, IT, finance, PR, operations, management and much more.

The opportunities are endless and the choice of jobs is wide enough for everyone to match a role to their own particular skills and talents.

Not having your voice heard can be really frustrating. That’s why the British Hospitality Association has created a nationwide, eventbased campaign to invite jobseekers and employers to join in real conversations about

T

the issues they’re facing and to showcase stories from young talented people who have been in the same situation but who now have successful, rewarding careers.

The Big Hospitality Conversation campaign is the industry’s biggest job creation drive which aims to help young people land a career in the hospitality industry. The initiative has been running for the past three years and over this time it has changed the lives of more than 40,000 young people.

So far, over 2,000 businesses including famous restaurants, international hotel groups and the best tourist attractions, have pledged their support. The initiative has already created 43,300 apprenticeships, jobs and work experiences for 16-24 year olds, with the goal of generating 60,000 opportunities by the end of 2016.

The Big Hospitality Conversation is a unique forum giving young people a voice and a platform to speak to hospitality industry bosses directly. The BHA believes that the industry can create up to 300,000 new jobs by 2020. ■

“THERE ARE LOADS OF CAREER ENTRY POINTS.” The hospitality and tourism industry is looking for a future generation of leaders to make their own mark so why not be one of them?

Come and join us at the next Big Hospitality Conversation event.

For more info go to: www.bha.org.uk/ bhconversation

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

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SPORT, LEISURE, TOURISM AND TRAVEL

world of adventure If you’re a people person, with bags of energy and a hard-working approach to life, a career in sport and leisure or travel and tourism can open you up to a world of real job satisfaction.

SPORT AND LEISURE If you’re an active person who would like to turn an interest or your favourite sport or pastime into a career, check out these potential job options in the sport and leisure industry.

Horse riding instructor Riding instructors are skilled horse riders themselves and they use those skills to teach people of all ages and abilities how to ride and care for horses.

Riding instructors teach in purpose-built, indoor and outdoor riding schools and usually have a recognised qualification from The British Horse Society (BHA) and the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) or they may have completed an equine apprenticeship. The starting salary is around £12,000 a year.

Play worker Play workers are involved in organising fun leisure activities, play schemes and events for children aged 4-16 in places like breakfast clubs, after school clubs, summer schools and playgroups. They don’t necessarily have to have any qualifications and many students volunteer as play workers in schools during their own holidays to gain experience if they plan to go into teaching or childcare as a career, for instance. The starting salary for a paid play worker is around £10,000 a year.

Sport and exercise psychologist Sport and exercise psychologists work closely with individual sportsmen and women and groups and teams to help motivate them mentally, emotionally and physically to help them achieve their absolute best and fulfil their athletic and sporting potential. Sports psychologists will have completed a three-year degree in psychology followed by a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology. Their starting salary is around £20,000 a year.

TOURISM AND TRAVEL If you fancy a career where you’ll spend a lot of your time working with the public and making their holidays, travel arrangements and leisure time as good as they can get, a job in the big wide world of tourism is an excellent option.

You could work in airports, hotels, visitor attractions, castles and museums or on cruise ships and at big tourist events.

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MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

Image courtesy of Staffordshire University

Events manager Events managers organise large promotional and marketing events like concerts, festivals and conferences, for clients in a variety of different fields, such as the automotive industry, education, retail, hospitality, fashion or leisure and travel, who want to promote their products and businesses.

They also arrange and coordinate festivals and events for various branches of the arts, such as film, TV, theatre, art and music. You can study events and/ or hospitality management at various levels but if you have the right drive and personality, it is possible to get into events management without formal qualifications. The starting salary is around £17,000 a year.

Tour guide Tour guides meet, greet and often travel with groups of tourists on buses or on cruise ships to take them around and talk knowledgeably about sites of historical interest like castles and ancient monuments. They can also lead tours around museums, towns and cities and famous visitor attractions all over the country. You don’t need formal qualifications for this job but you’ll need a good standard of education, be very confident, have a great memory for facts and a genuine interest in the subject you’ll be talking to tourists about. Tour guides are usually paid no less than the minimum wage and often on an hourly basis, which is £6.50 an hour (£6.70 from 1st October 2015).

Travel agent Travel agents provide a personal service to people who want to plan a holiday. They book flights, arrange accommodation and secure holiday insurance for their customers. They also advise on visas and passports and plan the holiday itinerary, i.e. pre-booking day trips and excursions.

Employers usually ask you to have GCSEs in English and maths and if you want to gain formal qualifications to give you a head start, you can study travel and tourism management at NVQ, BTEC, HND and HNC levels as well as a BA Honours degree in travel and tourism. The starting salary is around £12,000 a year. ■

Other jobs in these areas include: Cinema or theatre attendant

Yoga teacher

Cycling coach Fairground worker

Airport information assistant

Football coach

Cruise ship steward

Football referee

Hotel receptionist

Football/sports agent

Housekeeper

Lifeguard Sailing instructor

Tourist information centre assistant

Stunt performer

Theme park worker

Air cabin crew

Museum assistant

Swimming coach

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

29

THOUGHT ABOUT

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using the Job Boards and view the latest opportunities across the UK. FOR ESTATE AGENCY: JOBS.NAEA.CO.UK FOR LETTINGS: JOBS.ARLA.CO.UK

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MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

TEACHING

CC BY 2.0 / woodleywonderworks

A year in the life of a PGCE student Moving On spoke to Ryan Turner about wanting to be a teacher and studying for a PGCE. wanted to study a PGCE because of my desire to teach. I’ve always been interested in being a teacher and I cemented this desire when I gained some voluntary teaching experience as an undergraduate at Coventry University.

Doing a PGCE was the route I wanted to take into teaching and the qualification I needed to achieve my dream job.

Studying for a PGCE basically comes down to hard work, hard work and more hard work! It’s by no means an easy year, with great demands to meet – my careers advisers explained clearly that it would be a challenging experience. The course involves long days of study, teaching practice and assignments and it’s been very intense – I’ve done up to 60 hours work a week at times – but it will all be worth it when I qualify.

There will be times when you’ll be happy counting down the days to qualifying as a teacher and there will be times when you are pushed to your limits. One thing I’ve learnt is that theme park thrills are nothing compared to the rollercoaster ride that training to be a teacher has been!

Despite the demands of studying a PGCE there is little I would change, as the year has been incredibly useful. The timing of academic

I

assignments is the one thing I would change, as finding the time to write them was quite difficult – but the amount I’ve learned has been phenomenal.

For me, teaching is an incredibly rewarding profession which will give me the opportunity to make a real difference to children’s lives and equip them with the tools they need to go forward in life. There is no better feeling than seeing a child’s smile when they have grasped a concept that they’d struggled with previously and being a teacher is a great opportunity to contribute to their lives and have a positive impact on their learning.

Making the transition from being a student to becoming a teacher who’s not only fully responsible for their pupils but also has to teach a full timetable and manage all the daily routines, has been an incredible learning curve. Doing a PGCE has developed my subject knowledge in all aspects of the curriculum and I now know a great deal about learning theories and maximising pupil learning. It has been a tough year but I’ve made tremendous progress and I’m looking forward to putting all the skills I’ve learned into practice – when I get to teach my first proper class this September! ■

“THE COURSE INVOLVES LONG DAYS OF STUDY, TEACHING PRACTICE AND ASSIGNMENTS.”

To do a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate of Education) you’ll need to have gained a university degree.

For primary teaching, your degree can be in any subject but for secondary teaching, you must have a degree in an area related to the subject you want to teach.

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BUSINESS, FINANCE AND LAW

Financial times Moving On spoke to three young people who have entered the financial services sector from different routes. One is an apprentice, one began her career in full time employment and the other is on a six-year school leaver programme to gain a paid-for degree.

Amy Kirby Amy Kirby is an investment manager’s assistant at Rathbones Investment Management in Liverpool. She is on an apprenticeship programme.

Having studied A-levels Amy knew that she did not want to go to university, “I had no particular subject I wanted to study, plus I didn’t want to start life in debt and I was accustomed to life at home and did not want to move out, so an apprenticeship offered me the chance to start working and earning money, whilst still studying for qualifications.

“Being an apprentice, I get a lot more support than I would if I were employed full time at the company, which I think has been beneficial coming straight from school where I was used to teachers always being there.”

As part of the apprenticeship Amy has completed a Level 3 NVQ in Business and Administration and the CISI Investment Operations Certificate (IOC) and she has been able to begin the CISI Investment Advice Diploma (IAD). However, she told us that “On the down side, all my friends have gone to university so unfortunately I do not see them as often as I would like.”

Aimee Le Mercier Aimee Le Mercier is currently working for RBC in the corporate actions department. Her job involves processing corporate action events such as mergers, takeovers and redemptions.

At school, Aimee’s studies were always orientated around business and finance and she opted for for GCSEs in business, ICT, maths and French – all of which she carried on studying at A-level. Whilst taking her A-levels, Aimee also chose to study the CISI Introduction to Securities and Investment finance course to develop further knowledge of the finance sector.

Unlike Amy, Aimee chose to go straight into full time employment after finishing her A-levels.

“I chose to go into employment over going to university, due to the opportunities that were offered to me and I feel that I have made the right 32

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

CC BY 2.0 / Michael Duxbury

decision in the route that I have taken; I get to experience working life and to further my studies; all while getting paid!

“Some people may think I am losing out as I haven’t had the experience of moving away and going to university, however everyone is different and for me, employment was the right decision.”

Holly Welford Holly Welford is an Audit Assistant with KPMG, on the KPMG School and College Leaver Programme, which is a six year course.

Holly always knew that she wanted to go to university and after studying for her A-levels she joined KPMG. “KPMG put me through university at Exeter, my professional exams with ICAS and are now giving me on-the-job training. At the end of the programme I will be a fully qualified accountant with a degree and a job.

“The Audit School and College Leaver Programme works well for me because I am never in one place for too long.

I have already had the opportunity to live in Exeter, Cambridge, Edinburgh and Bristol.

“It is quite a fast-paced course - within three months I’d done my first term at university, taken the related exams, started a new job and moved into a new house in Cambridge.”

“The downside is that you do go to work very quickly and hours can be long. It also means you don’t get quite the same university experience, you

don’t get the long holidays and we weren’t always there in normal term times ,which can make joining societies a little harder.” ■

“BEING AN APPRENTICE, I GET A LOT MORE SUPPORT THAN I WOULD IF I WERE EMPLOYED FULL TIME.” MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

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Professional Services Higher Apprenticeship

ASSURANCE/AUDIT OR TAX… WHICH ROUTE WILL YOU CHOOSE INTO A HIGHLY SKILLED CAREER? The Professional Services Higher Apprenticeship offers you the opportunity to earn while you learn. You can choose from two distinct pathways – Assurance/Audit or Tax. You’ll gain work experience, business skills and an internationally-recognised certificate-level qualification in finance, accounting and business to kick-start your career.

Start your journey today. Visit icaew.com/higherapprenticeships

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015 BUSINESS WITH CONFIDENCE

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icaew.com/higherapprenticeships

BUSINESS, FINANCE AND LAW

CC BY 2.0 / Sebastiaan ter Burg

Big business You don’t necessarily have to have a university degree to break into the distinguished worlds of business, finance and law – check out these alternative routes…

BY NIAMH MACKEY here is a wealth of entry routes into careers in finance, most of which only require three A*- C grades at GCSE with an A or B in maths and English.

If you don’t want to take A-levels, you can take the AAT Level 2 Diploma in accounting, and then progress to the Level 3 and 4 Diploma, which are offered at most local colleges of further education.

If you do decide to take A-levels you have a wider range of options, including the Level 3 and 4 Diploma, or a higher apprenticeship which combines both learning the necessary skills and undertaking the CFAB (Certificate of Finance, Business and Accounting) whilst working as a trainee accountant. Most universities offer degrees in finance and accounting. This route requires at least 3 A-levels, preferably in maths and business studies/economics.

You could also take the ICAEW’s CFAB, which incorporates areas of law and management which are designed to help you gain a more rounded view of the world of business. This certificate is open to school leavers and college or university students and there are no formal entry requirements.

Many firms offer a range of apprenticeships in business, marketing and HR (human resources).

While gaining hands-on, practical experience, you will also study for a business qualification with the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel

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Development), the CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) or City & Guilds. There are also many online learning providers such as BPP, which offer apprenticeships, classroom-based or online courses and professional qualifications in various aspects of business, finance and law.

As a school leaver, if you choose not to take A-levels, a BTEC National Extended Diploma in Business can be taken prior to an apprenticeship and is offered at many colleges. If you choose to take the more traditional route through A-levels and a degree, universities offer a huge variety of business-based degrees.

Law is a versatile area in which there are hundreds of possible career options. After a law degree, there are two main options – to become either a solicitor or a barrister, both of which require extra training, with either the BPTC (Bar Professional Training Council) or the LPC (Legal practice Course) respectively.

Some firms of solicitors offer paralegal apprenticeship contracts, which give you legal training while you study part time for the Level 2 Diploma in Legal Studies, offered by City & Guilds. After A-levels, the Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice is also a viable route into the legal profession, working your way upwards within a firm, gaining qualifications that will aid your future employability along the way. ■

“IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO TAKE A-LEVELS, A BTEC NATIONAL EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS CAN BE TAKEN PRIOR TO AN APPRENTICESHIP.” For more information, go to: www.icaew.com ww.lawsociety.org.uk

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BUSINESS, FINANCE AND LAW

CC BY 2.0 / James Cridland

Routes into accountANCY and law There is a variety of routes into careers in accountancy and law.

Find out how to get started in these promising careers. he choice is not limited to full time university study. There is a wide range of job roles available in both sectors. These range from entry level positions such as purchase ledger clerk or junior barrister’s clerk up to chartered accountant, barrister and solicitor and chartered legal executive.

Both accountancy and law have a long history of offering high quality apprenticeships and school-leaver programmes. These routes are just as academic as university study if you are planning on becoming a chartered accountant or a chartered legal executive. Whichever route you choose, vocational or academic, professional qualifications like the AAT accounting qualification are a vital part of progression to higher level jobs.

Work experience is really important for both legal and accountancy careers and becoming professionally qualified requires that you do a certain amount of work within a firm.

Competition for legal and accountancy roles can be fierce so gaining some work experience whilst you are still in education would be useful and make you stand out from the crowd. Contact firms that you are interested in and ask about

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getting a work experience placement or maybe an internship.

Remember that if you are interested in working in a particular industry then getting some work experience is an option. For example, if you want to specialise in financial law, then some work experience in the banking or finance sector would be good. If you are thinking that you might like to work in forensic accounting, some work experience at an insurance company would be helpful.

There is a whole range of qualifications that you can study towards a career in accountancy, including the AAT, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA and ACA qualifications and each is suitable for different accountancy specialisms. There are different professional qualifications for specific areas like tax, risk management and corporate finance too.

The route to qualifying for a legal career will depend on whether you choose to study for a degree or not and if you do, that degree is in law or not. The courses that you'll come across include the LPC (Legal Practice Certificate), the GDL (Graduate in Law Course), the CPE (Common Professional Exam), the PSC (Professional Skills Course) and the BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course). ■

“REMEMBER THAT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING IN A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY THEN GETTING SOME WORK EXPERIENCE IS AN OPTION.”

Discover more about accountancy and law careers at: careers.icaew.com www.sfjuk.com

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HEALTHCARE

Allied Health Professions If you are looking for a career which combines a real challenge with job satisfaction, the allied health professions (AHPs) offer a wide range of opportunities.

The main roles in the allied health professions are: • arts therapist (art therapist, drama therapist and music therapist) • chiropodist/podiatrist • dietitian • occupational therapist • orthoptist • orthotist • paramedic • physiotherapist • prosthetist • radiographer • speech and language therapist As key members of a healthcare team, AHPs provide treatment which helps to transform people’s lives, from treating a broken toe to assessing someone’s diet.

Whether you are interested in science, the arts or physical movement, the allied health professions offer a wide variety of opportunities for all sorts of people, no matter what their level of skill or qualification.

AHPs may work one-to-one with patients to develop interactive therapies to aid their recovery but health and social care today is all about teamwork so AHPs will also be part of a team and may even lead one. AHPs often work with other professionals such GPs, hospital doctors, teachers, or social workers.

AHPs work in hospitals, clinics, housing services, people’s homes, schools and colleges. Not surprisingly, training demands and academic requirements are high but so is the sense of job satisfaction.

Entry requirements Entry requirements for the allied health professions vary and acquiring the knowledge and skills you’ll need means training and studying at degree or diploma level. However, there is also a range of vital support roles which don’t require you to have any set academic qualifications.

With good GCSEs and/or work experience Across most of the allied health professions there is a range of clinical support/ assistant roles that play an important part in providing treatment to patients.

There are no set academic requirements but these roles can act as a springboard for further career development and eventually, professional qualifications.

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Image courtesy of NHS

With A-levels/other level 3 qualifications To move into any of the professional AHP roles, you will need to complete an approved course of study and training, at degree or diploma level or above. You will then be qualified to make clinical judgements on which the health and wellbeing of your patients may depend. You’ll need good grades at A-level or the equivalent to go to university, including a science – or relevant work experience combined with evidence of academic ability.

Alternatives to A-levels may be considered for entry, such as BTEC National Diplomas or OCR Cambridge Technicals - Level 3 Health and Social Care. Some universities may require an A-level in addition to one of the above

qualifications, so it’s essential to check directly with each university about their specific entry requirements.

and to work as an art, drama, or music therapist, you must gain an approved postgraduate qualification.

As a graduate

Case study

You will be working as an independent professional, responsible for the assessment and treatment of your own caseload of patients. For most of the AHPs, you must complete a higher education training programme approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). These programmes will be at degree/diploma level or the equivalent.

However, if you already have a degree in a relevant discipline, there are also postgraduate training courses at diploma, masters or doctorate level in some of the allied health professions

Liz Muir is a speech and language therapist for the NHS in North East Essex “My first experience of speech and language therapy was as a volunteer with a local stroke rehabilitation group.

I think my mum came up with the idea that I might like it as a career, so I volunteered in order to find out more.

I enjoyed it and the experience helped with my university application because there’s strong competition for places.

“The degree course took three-and-ahalf years, combining study with work placements. Once I’d qualified, I got a job where I’d spent my last placement;

two years on I’m really happy with the career choice I made.

“It’s a busy life. You’re working closely with the other members of a multidisciplinary team, like physiotherapists and dietitians. Every case is different so you’re really kept on your toes. To gain wider experience, I started in a split role, working with people with learning disabilities and patients who'd acquired disorders through injury or disease.

“Now I’m working in hospital, outpatient clinics and in the community with patients who have had strokes.

I work with them and their relatives, assessing their communication and swallowing difficulties, and setting goals for coping with or overcoming their problems.” ■ MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

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think social care “Knowing that I can make people happier is the most satisfying part of my job”

There are a huge range of jobs available in adult social care, such as...

front line care workers, therapists, activity organisers, managers, administration…

There’s more to social care than you might think – every day is different. You might be helping people to socialise with friends, go shopping or even go on holiday.

You could be in a l home, out in your loca community, or working in someone’s house.

How do I g adult soc et into ial care?

One of th e into the s best ways to ge t an Appre ector is through nticeship .

Earn whil e you lea rn.

Gain qua lifications .

Become a confide n and skille d worker. t

For more information about adult social care Apprenticeships:

www.skillsforcare.org.uk/apprenticeships or email: info@skillsforcare.org.uk 40

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HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Image courtesy of Skills for Care

Supporting roles Wherever you live, there are people in your community who need help and support. Choose a career in social care and it could be you making a real difference to someone’s life. t’s not absolutely necessary to have any formal qualifications to get an entry level job in social care. What’s really important is that you’re the kind of person who is committed enough to work with people in care homes, hospitals, in the community or in their own homes – people who will rely on your care and support to make their lives easier, and as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible. If you think a job in social care might be right for you, you could make a start right now and try volunteering at your local hospital or care home.

Here are some straightforward answers to FAQs about jobs and careers in health and social care:

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Could I do an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is one of the best ways to get into the social care sector. You’ll work alongside experienced staff and learn the skills and knowledge you’ll need to be a skilled and confident worker.

How can I start work in the sector?

There are different things you can do to help you find work in the sector such as writing to your local care providers, speaking to a careers adviser at a Jobcentre Plus or looking at the apprenticeship route into social care. Activities such as volunteering can also help to get you some experience before you start working in social care.

What type of person do I need to be?

Your values, attitude and how you treat people who need care and support is really important.

You’ll be working directly with all sorts of people, with different care and support needs and you may be directly responsible for their wellbeing, including their personal care.

Who would I work for?

You could be working in a care home, out in your local community, in a hospital or from someone’s home – providing care from someone’s home is called domiciliary care. It all depends on what job you want to do.

What qualifications would I need?

Most of the current qualifications for working in social care are taken when you are already working in your role, as you will have to frequently demonstrate your knowledge and competence while you do your job.

Who would I be working with?

In social care you can work with a wide range of different people with different care needs. For example, you could work with a 20 year old man with a learning disability or a 90 year old woman with dementia. ■

“YOU’LL BE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE, WITH DIFFERENT CARE AND SUPPORT NEEDS .”

For more information go to: www.skillsforcare. org.uk/Care-careers/ Care-careers.aspx

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SUBSCRIBE

Annual Subscription Moving On magazine is a free publication devoted to delivering information on careers and qualifications to 16 to19 year-olds, their parents and teachers. Moving On is published five times a year to coincide with the academic timetable.

The Moving On editorial team works closely with educational experts, including UCAS, the main Sector Skills Councils, the Student Loan Company and the National Apprenticeship Service, in order to arm our readership with up-to-date information on education and employment.

Students from subscribing schools write many of the articles for Moving On and undertake work placements in our offices, which provides them with invaluable experience and a unique insight into the world of journalism and publishing. We are extremely proud of our gifted young contributors and we strongly encourage interest from potential student writers.

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EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

Work it out!

It’s really important to be aware of employability skills, even while you’re still at school – it’s never too early to start preparing yourself for the world of work… ay before you have to start earning your own living, you can start working on the skills you’ll need for writing a great CV, applying for jobs, doing well in interviews and eventually, for doing your job well.

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Top Ten employability skills •

• •

Look at all the things on the list below, ask yourself, 'How good am I at this?' and tick the relevant box.

Note the ones you’re good at and work them into your CV. Note the ones you need to improve and work out how you can do so – your parents and teachers can help you with this.

Good research skills – can you gather and analyse information in an organised way, to solve problems and answer specific questions? o REALLY GOOD o OK o NEED TO IMPROVE Lots of initiative and self-motivation – can you work things out, spot a good solution to a particular problem, come up with good ideas, be proactive and sort things out on your own? o REALLY GOOD o OK o NEED TO IMPROVE Lots of drive – are you always determined to get things done, make things happen and find the best way of doing it? Do you approach all your projects with energy and enthusiasm? o REALLY GOOD o OK o NEED TO IMPROVE

Excellent verbal communication skills – can you speak clearly and talk to people effectively, face to face, in a group and on the phone? o REALLY GOOD o OK o NEED TO IMPROVE

The ability to be flexible at work – can you adapt quickly and successfully to changes in your situation or your surroundings and respond quickly to new challenges? o REALLY GOOD o OK o NEED TO IMPROVE

Good written communication skills – can you write, spell and express yourself clearly in an essay, in an email and in a letter? o REALLY GOOD o OK o NEED TO IMPROVE

The ability to manage your time – can you prioritise tasks, work to strict deadlines and manage your time successfully? o REALLY GOOD o OK o NEED TO IMPROVE

Excellent planning and organisational skills – can you plan and organise things efficiently? o REALLY GOOD o OK o NEED TO IMPROVE

Business awareness – when you’re filling in an application form for a job or going for an interview, do you prepare properly by doing some serious research into the people or the business you want to work for, so that you’re ready for their questions – and have some of your own to ask? o REALLY GOOD o OK o NEED TO IMPROVE

Teamwork skills – do you work confidently and communicate well with others in a group, to achieve a common goal? o REALLY GOOD o OK o NEED TO IMPROVE

“WHEN YOU’RE FILLING IN AN APPLICATION FORM FOR A JOB OR GOING FOR AN INTERVIEW, DO YOU PREPARE PROPERLY BY DOING SOME SERIOUS RESEARCH?”

Check out the employability section on our website for more info: www. movingonmagazine. co.uk

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Have you ever wondered how properties are developed, who is responsible for them and how much they are worth?

You may know something about pursuing a career in law or even accounting but working in property is not so well known – even though there are countless career opportunities. Want to know what they are?

‘The talks from the graduates were very inspiring. I would definitely recommend the summer school to anyone.’

Anita, Summer School participant

Pathways to Property Pathways to Property is a free programme led by Reading Real Estate Foundation at the University of Reading for sixth form students. Supported by British Land and some of the biggest players in the real estate sector and by the Sutton Trust, the programme will help you find out where a career in property could lead.

Opportunities include: • A free residential Summer School at the University of Reading each July • Industry led talks in schools throughout the year • A mentoring programme • Work experience placements in real estate firms Pathways to Property introduces careers in property by connecting you with those already working in the sector. Industry volunteers from some of property’s leading firms work with students across the programme to share their expertise and talk about their routes into the profession.

For further information and to get involved visit www.reading.ac.uk/pathways-to-property or email pathways2property@rref.reading.ac.uk 44

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

‘The experience improved my understanding of the various ways to pursue a career in property and it gave me an insight into higher education courses in property and real estate.’

Toni, Summer School participant

OPEN DAYS

Do the rounds

CC BY 2.0 / University of Salford

Going to university Open Days to have a good look around the places you would like to do your degree is essential because only you can choose the right course and the right location. ll universities hold Open Days.

These are designed for you and your parents to meet the staff and students, to view the campus and its facilities and to check out the accommodation and the local area. Open Days are really well organised and will give you a real taste of the place you’ll be spending a big chunk of your life.

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Why do I need to go?

It really is absolutely vital that you visit your shortlist of universities before making your final UCAS choices – you should go to see at least four or five. Universities usually try to hold their Open Days at weekends or in school holidays – dates and times for 2015-2016 can be found on individual university websites and if you can’t make it for whatever reason, you can contact the university and ask to be shown round another time.

What do I need to do once I’ve decided where to visit?

You’ll need to register with each university that you’ll be attending their Open Day – thousands of people can turn up and they need to have a good idea of numbers. Prepare for each visit beforehand by making a list of relevant questions you’d like to ask the tutors and students about the course and the facilities. For example, what are their latest graduate employment figures for the course you want to study?

Costs Ask uni staff whether there any special grants, bursaries or scholarships you could apply for – if you don’t ask, you don’t get! Find out about living costs – is it cheaper to live in catered halls of residence or in rented accommodation in the local area? Ask a student representative about how they managed their money in their first year, where they chose to live and how it all worked out…

Time to decide During (and after) each Open Day, ask yourself, “Will I be happy here for three years and is the course here the right one for me?” It’s as simple as that – but only you can decide where and what you study. Don’t end up regretting your choice of university because you couldn’t be bothered to go and check it out…

University students we spoke to agreed that making the effort to visit Open Days really helped them to make an informed decision about where and what they wanted to study.

Sometimes, they’d made their choice simply by having a good feeling about the place but generally, most students felt that doing the rounds of Open Days really helped them choose the right university and prevented them from having to deal with any nasty surprises at the beginning of term. ■

“MOST STUDENTS FELT THAT DOING THE ROUNDS OF OPEN DAYS REALLY HELPED THEM CHOOSE THE RIGHT UNIVERSITY.”

You can find dates for all uni Open Days at: www.opendays.com/ calendar

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CHARITY FOCUS

THE WORK SHOP he Work Shop is a charity based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire.

It prides itself on providing people who have autism or learning disabilities with purposeful, workbased activities such as light assembly work, collecting and sorting recyclables and making items for sale through local markets and other outlets. The Work Shop gives these people the opportunity to achieve personal goals and ambitions and to develop work, life and social skills in an environment which empowers them and builds their confidence.

Moving On magazine is sent to every school and sixth form college in England – but how do all those thousands of magazines arrive at their various destinations? Walpole Publishing, the company behind Moving On magazine, has built up a great relationship with local charity, The Work Shop, which provides part of the enthusiastic workforce now playing a vital role in the distribution of the magazine.

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The dedicated Work Shop group have to be organised and work as a team, to put many hundreds of copies of Moving On magazine into envelopes and then label them, ready to be sent out to all those schools – no mean feat for a small group of enthusiastic people with a range of learning disabilities. Here’s what a few of the group members had to say about the activities they are involved in for Moving On magazine: Tim: “We do this every month – we really enjoy it and I’m the fastest!”

Dan: “I like doing this, it’s my work.”

“THE WORK SHOP GIVES THESE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE PERSONAL GOALS AND AMBITIONS.”

Ollie: “I like doing the labels – I’m good at sticking them right in the middle!”

Moving On magazine would like to say a very big ‘thank you’ to all our helpers at The Work Shop for all their hard work and we look forward to working with them for a long time to come… ■

For more information go to: www.work-shop. org.uk

“STUDYING THEOLOGY AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY (LST) TRANSFORMED MY VIEW OF GOD AND THE WORLD. IT HAS BEEN THE LAUNCHPAD FOR MY CAREER.” KIT POWNEY, CAMPAIGNS OFFICER, CHRISTIAN AID

LST is the first choice for studying Theology, Theology, Music and Worship, and Theology and Counselling.

Study options range from a one year Certificate through to research PhD. Study online, on campus in London or by distance learning – realise your academic potential and go on to change the world!

To find out more about what LST can do for you, visit www.lst.ac.uk.

Great THINKING beginS at LST.

TRANSFORMING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION

MOVING ON CAREERS GUIDE 2015

‘Like’ us on Facebook: facebook.com/LondonSchoolofTheology | Twitter: @LSTheology | www.lst.ac.uk

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YOUR CAREER ...

YOUR CHOICE The Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment brings you courses in subjects as diverse as Music, Robotics, Architecture, Motorsport, Construction and Planning, plus a whole lot in between.

The choice isn’t endless, but we think it offers you pretty impressive opportunites to start moving towards your chosen career.

We have links with companies like Accenture, IBM, Williams F1, YASA Motors, Triumph Motorcycles, Taylor Wimpey and lots more. Many offer you the chance of a placement year or work experience and are often involved in the development of our courses.

Find out more: tde.bz/brookes-tde Come to an Open Day: www.brookes.ac.uk Explore our Virtual Open Days: tde.bz/vod-tde

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