Careers World West Midlands SUMMER 2014 by Open Doors Media Ltd

WEST MIDLANDS edition

SUMMER 2014

RADIO 1 SUPERSTAR

SCOTT MILLS “I really had to convince them that I was the person for the job, because they didn’t think I was!”

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

STUDYING IN AMERICA

Want to study stateside? We ﬁnd out how!

CONFUSED ABOUT CLEARING? Clearing can be a mineﬁeld, fortunately we can help you navigate it and get that place

PLUS: WE GET THE LOWDOWN ON THE FUTURE OF APPRENTICESHIPS & OUR EXPERT PANEL TACKLE ANOTHER ROUND OF YOUR QUESTIONS

m AFFILIATE MEMBER

Welcome to Careers World Magazine, the premier resource for careers information and guidance. The Summer term is a scary time for a lot of you, with some big decisions to be made about your future. Don’t worry, the Careers World team are here to help! We provide you with the facts on the most popular careers and sectors, and help you really get to grips with the industries that interest you. Get an insight into the lives of young people who have been through the careers process, with case studies and advice from successful professionals. In this issue we speak to radio superstar Scott Mills, who’ll let us know just how he got established in broadcasting. It’s never too late or too early to start thinking about your future career, and with Careers World here to help, you can’t go wrong!

BBC Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills chats to our editor about how he managed to turn his hobby into a career.

Some tools, tips and tricks to help you make those important choices, from our very own editor!

11 We ask our specially selected panel to tell us what they can oﬀer you!

Business & Customer Service

Creative, Media & The Arts

Manufacturing & Processing

We give you the lowdown on all the other sectors out there, which we’ll feature in future issues.

Some handy materials for careers advisors, plus some facts and ﬁgures about the world of careers.

15 The best of the best in your region tell us about themselves!

Health & Social Care

Elliot Gardner, Editor

IT, Digital & Telecoms

We cover... The Summer Term Confused about Clearing? Qualiﬁcations Explained Apprenticeships Vs A-Levels

Some contact details we think you’ll ﬁnd useful, including web links, email addresses and phone numbers.

And now for something completely diﬀerent...

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All material is copyrighted both written and illustrated. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. All images and information is collated from extensive research and along with advertisements is published in good faith. Although the author and publisher have made every eﬀort to ensure that the information in this publication was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Careers World is published by Open Doors Media Ltd ©2014. ISSN: 2050-6627

DJ AND PRESENTER SCOTT MILLS

talks to our editor about tricks of the trade, the ups and downs of work in radio, and his long road into the industry. Scott has been in the business for over two decades and is one of the most well-known and respected names in broadcasting. He currently presents the Scott Mills show every weekday at 1pm on BBC Radio 1.

it’s fair to say that most people will recognise you from Radio 1, but what came before that? Well, I always wanted to do radio, from as far back as I can remember really. I was actually helping out at my local radio station when I was 12.

I THINK

I had a weekly slot where I would do the chart run-down and tell awful jokes. I have a couple of copies of recordings from those times and my voice just sounds really high! I wrote to loads of radio stations in my area and oﬀered to volunteer, which is a really good way of getting into radio. Eventually, after 2 or 3 years, one of them gave in to my constant hassling and let me do some voluntary work at the local commercial radio station in Southampton. your hobby and made it into something you might want to make a career out of? Yeah it was just a hobby, I used to go down to hospital radio every Tuesday and Sunday, I used to absolutely love it. From that point there was no doubt in my mind; I knew that if I could, that was exactly what I wanted to do. No doubt at all.

SO YOU TOOK

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inspired you go into radio though? I don’t know! It’s something that just absolutely fascinated me, and because I was quite a shy child it was a way of talking to a lot of people without actually having to meet them. I used to listen to a lot of radio back then in my room and there was something just magical about it. It was just ideal, even to the point that when I was 8 or 9 I would pretend to play songs on the radio in my bedroom to my mum. I was pretty determined, which is important I think, especially in a job like this, because there were, and there still are, knockbacks. You just have to be prepared to take it all on the chin. If you can’t take those then it’s probably not the job for you, because it’s not all plain sailing.

WHAT FIRST

weren’t in broadcasting, what career path do you think you would have gone down? Is there anyone that ever tried to convince you when you were younger to go down a diﬀerent career path? I went to my careers advisor when I was at school and told them I’d like to be on the radio and they just laughed! Well I’m very interested in travel and everything that goes with that so maybe I would have gone down that road somewhere.

IF YOU

you would be on TV or radio doing travel? To be honest I’ve not thought about it too much because I’ve worked hard to make a career in radio. With radio you have to be prepared to move around a bit. I spent a few years at a station in Bristol, I did 2 years in a station in Manchester, and then I moved down to London to be on Heart for a bit. Then, after a lot of hassling, I managed to get the job on Radio 1, but that took years. Because I’ve been at Radio 1 for a long time people think that it was easy, but I really had to convince them that I was the person for the job, because they didn’t think I was.

DO YOU THINK

kind of assume that it was the ﬁrst job you got. Well I would send them CDs of demos all the time. For 3 years every 2 months. I was very persistent! Then ﬁnally someone cracked and that’s how I got the early breakfast show.

I GUESS PEOPLE

you get knocked down at the first hurdle you need to keep trying? Yeah you really have to. And then when you come to Radio 1 you have to be prepared to start at the bottom again. So I did 5 years of early mornings, which is getting up at 3am. It’s kind of hard work but when you do it it’s worth it. I remember when I was 16, I couldn’t even get to the radio station because I wasn’t even old enough to drive, so I had this really naff little old scooter that I used to drive into work in all weathers. When they eventually gave me a break it was between 1 and 6 in the morning, obviously my mum wasn’t that interested in taking me in at that time so I had to find my own way to get there.

SO EVEN IF

honorary doctorate from Southampton Solent University… Yeah how did that happen! That was amazing. My whole family was there. Sometimes I forget and then I remember ‘oh yeah I’m a Doctor of Arts.’ I chose not to go to university; I didn’t even go to college. I left school and went straight into radio, so it’s quite an honour to be given something like that from a uni.

YOU RECEIVED AN

think you would have gone to uni even if you didn’t go into radio? I was so determined; it wasn’t even on my mind. I remember my parents saying you have to have something to fall back on, because radio seems like one of those jobs that no one gets. But my mum and dad totally supported me. They really did. There’s always a danger, it’s one of those industries that some people get into ﬁne and some people never do. But I

DO YOU

wasn’t taking no for an answer, I was really determined. So it didn’t really cross my mind because I was already doing the job that I wanted to do. the craziest thing you’ve done through Radio 1? Well no two days are the same. Sometimes we have a day where we are just like ‘wow’. It’s honestly the best place to work in the world. I never thought of Radio 1 as a goal because I thought it was impossible, so I actually just really enjoy working here. When I ﬁrst started working at Radio 1 they gave me a mental job. They told me to present backstage at the BRIT awards. We were in a little porta-cabin backstage and I’d only been there a year. They were kind of trying me out to see if I would sink or swim. I remember there was a queue of famous people, Elton John, Destiny’s Child, Eminem, and this is when I was really scared of interviews. I felt massively out of my depth. The other thing that sticks out in my mind is about 6 months after I got the job at Radio 1. They rang me and asked me if I wanted to do top of the pops next week. I’d never even done anything on television. I was actually physically sick before the show out of nerves. It was so terrifying. But you get given an opportunity and you just can’t say no!

SO WHAT IS

the kind of industry that you don’t really get the opportunity to say no to things? Absolutely, you can’t, and also if you did then I think you would kick yourself. I do things at Radio 1 all the time that really scare me. These are all things that wouldn’t have happened without my job. We did this trek through the desert in Kenya with Lorraine Kelly, Olly Murs and Dermot O’Leary 3 years ago for Sport Relief, and that’s something that I never thought I’d be able to achieve. Last year they made me do another thing for sport relief. I danced with Olly Murs on stage. It’s one of my worst fears because I can’t dance, but I did it!

IT SEEMS LIKE

a favourite guest from the years that you’ve been doing radio? When I started Radio 1 it was the late 90s. Bands were quite angry and people could be really rude, but now pop stars are generally really nice. Tinie Tempah is really nice to interview, and we had Will.I.Am in recently. He was hilarious, we didn’t play any music for 40 minutes because he’s so engaging and he’s got some good stories. The oddest one I think was one I did about 2 years ago with Nicolas Cage. He wouldn’t look at any of us in the studio so we had absolutely no eye contact with him at all. His answers to the questions were very strange as well, he was an odd one.

HAVE YOU GOT

anyone that you’ve really wanted to meet but then they’ve let you down a little bit? Pamela Anderson was quite rude. I expected her to be nice but she just wasn’t. I did a TV show with David Hasselhoﬀ where I went to go live in his house for a bit and I expected that to be an icebreaker in the conversation, like ‘I lived with David and you used to work with him on Baywatch’, but she didn’t

IS THERE

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care, so I was a bit disappointed by that. You don’t really get that so much anymore. Even with massive people like Rihanna and Beyonce. I don’t know why, I guess people are just a bit nicer now. it now to back when you first started then? I do. It’s because I’m much more confident. I totally put it down to this job. If you told me now that I was going to interview Lady Gaga in five minutes then it wouldn’t really bother me, whereas back in the day I would have been absolutely terrified.

SO YOU PREFER

only having a couple of minutes before an interview, do you feel responsible for the success of Chris Stark? Well I kind of do actually! I’ve known him for years and he always used to make me laugh. I met him at university radio in Southampton because I was doing a bit of stuﬀ there. We ended up DJing together and kept in touch. I just found him hilarious, and every time he was up in London we’d meet up and have a chat. I just thought to myself, ‘you’ve got something. I don’t know what it is, but I think you’re so normal that people will really like you.’ I don’t think I’m responsible for his success because you make your own luck, but I hope that I helped.

SPEAKING OF

done some TV in the past, with the National Lottery and documentaries and all sorts, would you consider more of that in the future? I really enjoy it when I do it but I’m too shy to be properly famous. I don’t fancy it, it’s not for me. When I went to the Brits this year I saw people with 30 photographers following them and I thought to myself ‘I would absolutely hate that’, it’s just not for me. I’m doing the Eurovision semi-ﬁnals again this year for BBC3, which I really enjoy, but yeah it’s my little hobby really, but I do love it because it’s a diﬀerent skill.

YOU HAVE

give one piece of advice to your teenage self now what would it be? Stop worrying. Be yourself. I think in my job in particular it’s important that you are yourself. If you heard tapes of me when I was on the radio in Manchester, I just don’t sound like me. You wouldn’t even recognise me.

IF YOU COULD

it’s just a case of being yourself? It’s a case of relaxing and being conﬁdent enough to be yourself on the radio. That’s what Radio 1 teaches you, because they do want you to be you.

SO THEN

in radio about 24 years now, what’s the biggest change in the industry in that time? Social media. 100%. Even in the last 5 years. For Radio 1 to survive it needs to be where the young people go the most, and that’s on their phones and laptops, that’s where kids spend most of their time. The days of just listening to the radio are kind of dying out, so if Radio 1 wants to appeal to the next generation of 14-15 year olds, which they obviously do, then they have to be on their phones. It’s the ﬁrst radio station to hit a million subscribers on YouTube, which is pretty impressive, but that is the way it’s going and that is the way it’s going to have to be.

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Each issue, we ask our editor to give you a roundup of the topics that might aﬀect you, as well as the choices you need to make about your future. As you could imagine, there are plenty of things going on that tend to stay behind the scenes. Usually, you’d have to trawl through pages of information to learn all this, but don’t worry; we’ve done all that for you!

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR At this time of year there’s some big decisions to be made, and with all that pressure piled on, lots of young people take the easy way out and just go with what their parents or careers advisor want them to do. Of course these people know what they’re talking about and only want the best for you, but the only person who can REALLY decide what’s best is you! There’s been lots of talk lately of young people being convinced not to go down certain career paths because of a belief that they are either too clever or not clever enough for them, or that the course isn’t going to lead to a decent career. If you have done your research and know about the beneﬁts that an Apprenticeship ,degree, or going straight into work can provide, then don’t just back down and submit to what someone else wants you to do, prove to them that it’s the right choice for you by giving it your all and enjoying it while you do!

THE FUTURE OF APPRENTICESHIPS Thinking about doing an Apprenticeship? Then you better make sure you’re up to date with these big changes that are coming soon. Most placements won’t be aﬀected until 2017, but there are a few that are being reworked now! •

•

• • •

KEY FACTS

The aim is to make Apprenticeships more appealing to employers and to help apprentices become more employable. Changes to assessment methods. Two thirds of your grade will be assessed at the end of the Apprenticeship. Simple frameworks. No more reading through pages of information to ﬁnd out what your course is about. Graded Apprenticeships. New ranks of ‘pass’, ‘merit’, ‘distinction’ and ‘fail’. Minimum duration. All Apprenticeships will now be a minimum of one year with no exceptions.

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WHY ARE THINGS BEING CHANGED?

Apprenticeships are getting bigger and bigger, and lots more students are considering them as an alternative to college, sixth form, or university. The Government is really keen to keep this going and for it to be the norm that every pupil either studies for a degree or undertakes an Apprenticeship. With this in mind, Apprenticeships are being changed to make them as attractive as possible to employers. After all, if more employers want to train apprentices, that’s more places for you to apply to! All this means that you can expect to see lots of Apprenticeship vacancies opening up in small companies. These businesses are going to have a lot more say in what their apprentices study, which means that the chance of you getting a placement close to home is going to be much higher!

IMPROVING EMPLOYABILITY

The other reason for all these changes is to make all apprentices more employable after their course is finished. What’s the point in doing a course if you’re not going to be able to get a job out of it! In the last issue of Careers World we talked about changes to Maths and English GCSEs that mean a minimum standard will be expected from every school leaver. This is going to be the same in Apprenticeships, with requirements being stepped up a notch. Employers will be able to set what level of Maths and English skill will be required to complete their Apprenticeship. As well as this, off-the-job training will be a vital part of all courses. No, this doesn’t mean training at the beach. At the minute, some apprentices don’t receive any training away from their place of employment. The new change is that all apprentices will have to spend 20% of their placement studying ‘off-the-job’ topics. This might still be in your workplace but won’t be related to your everyday position. More than likely, for those studying Apprenticeships through colleges or universities, this would mean studying in an education environment.

CHANGING ASSESSMENT

The method of assessment for your qualiﬁcation depends very much on the actual Apprenticeship that you are

working towards. Some focus on whether you can actually work to the level demanded of the position you are in. Others are geared towards more traditional exams. One thing that all Apprenticeships share is the mix of on-going assessment throughout the placement, and end testing. The change is to have a minimum of two thirds of assessment at the end of the Apprenticeship. The approach to testing probably won’t change much, after all there’s no point in all your exams being all written when you are trying to prove that you can be a builder, but a lot of Apprenticeships like to test you throughout the year so that you can show your development and constantly build up your skill set. The new method would involve a lot more revision, as well an end of year exam-type situation, with a broad range of skills being tested all at once, proving you are ready to work in that sector.

they plan to go about this is to make Apprenticeships graded. The new grades would be ‘Fail’, ‘Pass’, ‘Merit’ and ‘Distinction’ (Familiar to anyone who has completed a grade in music).

ﬁnd what you need! On top of this, the description of each Apprenticeship will have to be less than one page of A4, which is a big deal because at the minute they’re more like twenty!

What this essentially means is that Apprenticeships will become more focused around your end-results, and the best grades will look amazing on CVs. There’s a down side though. If you don’t get at least a Merit in your Apprenticeship then an employer might see you as ‘only’ passing, instead of rewarding you for completing a demanding course. The point is to ‘incentivise’ Apprenticeships, in other words trying to get you to work as hard as you can, but you should probably be doing that anyway!

While most of these changes won’t come into eﬀect fully until 2017, there are a few subjects that have already been aﬀected, and will continue to change over the coming months. These are called ‘trailblazers’ and are mainly in the STEM subjects (that’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). So if you are thinking about a career in those sectors, you better double check your Apprenticeship is being delivered in the way you think!

SIMPLE FRAMEWORKS

There are over 250 different Apprenticeships in England, and lots of those have optional modules within them, making everything very complicated. There are so many different options, sometimes it can be GRADED hard to find out what course you APPRENTICESHIPS Right now, Apprenticeships need to do to get the job you’re are pass or fail. Lots of people actually after. like this way of doing things as it makes the whole process That’s why changes are being a lot less painful. In a degree, made. There will be one or A-levels, simply passing is separate Apprenticeship course often not enough because there for every job. That means it are so many grades, making should be simpler for you to everything more competitive. find the Apprenticeship you The Government are really keen need to get the job you want on rewarding high-achievement because you can just search in Apprenticeships, and the way for ‘Chef Apprenticeship’ and www.careersworld.co.uk

WHO IS AFFECTED?

The nature of Apprenticeships is definitely changing and the proposals that we’ve talked about above are really going to have a huge impact on every single apprentice in England. It’s so important that you keep your finger on the pulse if you are even considering Apprenticeships in the slightest. Deciding to become an apprentice can be one of the biggest and best decisions of your life so you have to make sure you are as informed as you can be. It’s like starting a new job thinking you’re in sales but getting there and finding out you’re working in the warehouse!

STUDYING IN AMERICA America is one of the most important countries in the world. We are constantly surrounded by US culture; whether it’s the clothes we wear, the TV we watch, or music we listen to. Visiting the United States is on the top list of things to do for thousands of young people in the UK, but did you know that in the quest for your ideal career that you can study full time state-side? At Careers World we’re asked all the time for information on American study, and since now is the time that you should be thinking about where to apply if you want to study abroad, we’ve put some information together about what American education can oﬀer you.

WHY SHOULD I STUDY THERE?

HOW DO I APPLY?

Make no mistake, studying in America is not for everyone, but if you have a sense of adventure and want to learn at the same time, it could be right down your street. There’s a real emphasis on the social side of things at US universities. Uni’s in the UK have this as well, but to nowhere near the same level. Can you imagine a UK university sports club being televised and getting 50,000 fans attending every game? There are hundreds of societies to join, including a national competitive Quidditch league for you Potter fans!

The application process for UK nationals to study in the USA is a bit more long-winded and complicated than applying through UCAS, but then again you are asking a university from the other side of the world to accept you for study, so what do you expect! UCAS applications are based around your grades and other academic achievements, but the US system tends to evaluate your whole character. Obviously your grades are still a big deal, but they also want to know about your background, and what you do in your spare time.

If you don’t like being limited with the universities you can apply to, maybe the college or uni in your favourite city doesn’t oﬀer your course, you’re pretty much guaranteed to not have the same problem in the US. There are just under 200 Higher Education facilities in the UK right now, but with over 4,500 oﬀering undergraduate degrees in America right now, you’re spoilt for choice.

If you are worried about costs (it’s hardly cheap going to uni here, let alone in America!) then you should consider applying for a scholarship or funding. Funding looks at all of you, not just how much money you or your parents earn. If you can show that you are worth their money, the uni will sponsor you to study at their institution.

If you struggled to decide on what GCSEs or A levels to choose, picking just one degree course can be a bit of a nightmare. There’s nowhere near the same amount of pressure at American colleges and universities, they adopt a ‘liberal arts philosophy’. This means that you take several diﬀerent classes in the ﬁrst year of your degree, and then move on to choose your main ‘major’ subject after you’ve had a taste of a few. It’s also much easier than in the UK to switch courses if you change your mind.

According to figures from The Fulbright Commission, 65% of employers favour applicants with experience of work overseas. It really is a fantastic way to kick-start your career and improve your employability. The Fulbright Commission are jointly funded by the UK and US governments and operate the Advisory Service, the only official source of US study advice in the UK, so it’s worth checking them out at www.fulbright.org.uk. Don’t forget that the timetable for applications is a bit different than in the UK, so if you’re thinking about going to an American university next year, you need to be doing some research about where you want to go NOW!

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N E OP

4 1 0 2 S Y DA

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expert /’ekspərt/

Noun. A person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area.

Ask the Experts

Adjective Having or involving such knowledge or skill. Synonyms noun. specialist - connoisseur - adept - judge - master adjective. skilled - skilful - skillful - proﬁcient - adept

Are you frustrated by all the choices you face? Don’t you wish there was a way to compare all your options, or to have those key questions answered? Well, we’ve done it for you. We’ve put together a team of experts from your area to give you an insight into what kind of experiences, beneﬁts and future they can oﬀer you. We’ve asked the same questions to each expert, to help you decide on the right choice for you.

The Employer IS IT TOO LATE IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR TO START THINKING ABOUT CAREER PATHS AND OPTIONS?

We run, maintain and develop Britain’s rail tracks, signalling, bridges, tunnels, level crossings, viaducts and 17 key stations. Web: www.facebook.com/ontrack

Not at all. It’s never too late to look at your options. Some people decide very quickly on their future careers, others take their time. Network Rail’s Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme opens for applications in January, with successful candidates starting in September. Use this time to research whether the scheme is right for you, or come and visit us at one of our open days, which we advertise on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ontrack

WHAT IS IT THAT APPEALS TO YOUR APPLICANTS AND MAKES YOU UNIQUE?

The ﬁrst year of our scheme is run on-site, at a purpose-built training facility in Hampshire. We provide all of your accommodation and food whilst you are learning. We focus not only on developing your skills in your chosen area of expertise, but also on helping you build your leadership and people skills. You will be oﬀered a wide range of extracurricular sporting and development opportunities, that we encourage you to take part in. Our scheme is fun, hard work, a great learning opportunity, and a fantastic foundation for a rewarding career in the rail industry.

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WHAT CAN SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES EXPECT IN THEIR FIRST MONTH WITH YOU?

During your ﬁrst month on Network Rail’s Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme you will undertake a comprehensive induction package at HMS Collingwood and Sultan in order to prepare you for the challenges ahead over the next three year programme.

SELL YOURSELF IN ONE PARAGRAPH

Our railway is more popular than ever. Passenger numbers have increased at a faster pace than expected and every day 4 million people use the rail network. We carry 50 per cent more passengers today than 10 years ago. Modernisation and smarter ways of working have delivered more frequent, reliable, safer services, as well as brighter and better stations. We’ve achieved a lot over the last 10 years and we’ve a lot more to do! We’ve been given £38bn to carry out work over the next ﬁve years, and by 2019 the country’s rail network will be delivering 225 million more passenger journeys each year. Our Apprenticeship scheme helps us attract and retain key talent for the future that will help us meet our strategic goal - a better railway for a better Britain.

The University IS IT TOO LATE IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR TO START THINKING ABOUT CAREER PATHS AND OPTIONS?

Lucy Wilson-Whitford is Head of Careers and Employability at Coventry University. Through its links with leading businesses and organisations, Coventry University’s 24,000+ students enjoy access to placement opportunities which ensure that their employment prospects are enhanced by the time they graduate. Web: www.coventry.ac.uk

Forward planning and smart goal setting are very important when it comes to planning your career, and starting this process early on will drive you to be the best you can be. So to answer the question – it’s never too late to start thinking about career paths and options but the sooner you start the better! Building timely and periodic reviews into your career plans will also ensure you keep your plans fresh, realistic, and on-track.

WHAT IS IT THAT APPEALS TO YOUR APPLICANTS AND MAKES YOU UNIQUE?

In 2014 we were awarded the acclaimed title of Modern University of the Year in The Times and Sunday Times Good University

The Training Provider

The Training Room is a fullservice careers provider oﬀering a range of fully accredited personal training courses, from full-time fast track courses to part-time and e-learning programmes. We equip students with industry-ready qualiﬁcations and skills for entry into a career in personal training.

IS IT TOO LATE IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR TO START THINKING ABOUT CAREER PATHS AND OPTIONS?

It’s important to make sure that you enjoy what you do, so it’s never too late to start thinking about the options available. Not all training and career opportunities are restricted to the academic year, so it’s worth doing some research and ﬁnding out what’s out there. For example, our academies all run six-week rolling courses that start every two weeks, meaning that you can enrol whenever you want throughout the year.

Web: thetrainingroom.com

The College

At Solihull College you will ﬁnd a great range of courses to help you learn new skills. We pride ourselves on the diversity of our programme and our students. We oﬀer a variety of professional and vocational courses, from Animal Management to Beauty Therapy. With over 25,000 full and part-time students, Solihull College is a great place to study. Web: www.solihull.ac.uk

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IS IT TOO LATE IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR TO START THINKING ABOUT CAREER PATHS AND OPTIONS?

Absolutely not. It’s never too late to think about your future. You still have the opportunity to talk to careers advisors, visit colleges, and ask all the questions you need to. Most institutions will be happy to talk to you either via phone or email. Solihull College even oﬀers ‘talks and tours’ where you can visit the campus and the speciﬁc course areas of interest. We also have a school leaver advice day following GCSE results in August for anyone still unsure of their next step.

Guide – This award is further evidence and recognition of our high student satisfaction levels, alongside our innovative approach to delivering aﬀordable, alternative routes into higher education in Coventry and London. Coventry University seeks out, nurtures, and maintains positive links with local, UK, and global employers, and is always looking for new, innovative ways to support its students and graduates into employment. In 2012 94% of our graduates were in further study or work following graduation (DLHE survey 2011/12).

WHAT CAN SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES EXPECT IN THEIR FIRST MONTH WITH YOU?

Successful candidates will welcomed to the university couple of weeks will ﬂy by. encouraged to participate

be warmly and the ﬁrst Students are in a range

WHAT IS IT THAT APPEALS TO YOUR APPLICANTS AND MAKES YOU UNIQUE?

What makes The Training Room unique is that we are not just a training provider. We promise to get our students industry-ready as soon as possible, providing the vital support needed to help get them into work upon completion of their personal training course. We guarantee students an interview with one of our big-name partners, such as DW Sports Fitness and Pure Gym, once they qualify.

WHAT IS IT THAT APPEALS TO YOUR APPLICANTS AND MAKES YOU UNIQUE?

Our applicants, once enrolled, gain the benefits of brand new, redeveloped, stateof-the-art learning facilities in which to both study and relax. Our Blossomfield and Woodlands Campuses are equipped with bespoke, industry standard workshops, classrooms, IT facilities and resources to give all our students a real-life, handson experience on which to build solid foundations and prepare them for similar conditions in the workplace. Studying at Solihull College means obtaining, not only the knowledge, but also the practical skills to progress with confidence into the working world.

of exciting fresher activities. It’s not all play though – students will also find out more about their academic programmes, including our Add+vantage scheme, and start acclimatising themselves to our wide range of campus facilities. They’ll also meet significant people including personal tutors and support staff. In a nutshell, successful candidates can expect to be enthusiastically received into our established and evolving community of learning.

ranking of 45 in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2014 is higher than any modern university has achieved in either The Times or Sunday Times league tables in the past 20 years.

SELL YOURSELF IN ONE PARAGRAPH

The Phoenix, the symbol of Coventry University, is a mythological bird that represents continuous self-creation, opportunity, and abundance. We provide our students with real opportunities to grow and develop as individuals, enhancing their subject skills and encouraging the application of theory to real work-place situations. Coventry University’s national

WHAT CAN SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES EXPECT IN THEIR FIRST MONTH WITH YOU?

Our courses are completed in just six weeks, after which you will be qualified to the highest possible entry level. So at the end of the first four weeks of your personal training certification at The Training Room, you will already be level 2 qualified, and on the path to progress to level 3 in just two more weeks.

WHAT CAN SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES EXPECT IN THEIR FIRST MONTH WITH YOU?

Students will be introduced to all of the various facilities and services on oﬀer for them to take advantage of during their time here. Student Enrichment holds a Freshers’ Fair so new students can see the range of sports, trips, and activities they can get involved with. Careers will introduce you to the service they provide via workshops and open events. Counselling, Welfare, and Student Finance will also be on hand for advice and guidance, while your tutors will give you a tour of the various resources you can use during your time with us.

www.careersworld.co.uk

SELL YOURSELF IN ONE PARAGRAPH

The Training Room is the perfect partner for college leavers with a love for health and ﬁtness who are looking to begin an exciting career in an area that they a passionate about. We support our students every step of the way in preparing them for work in the fast-paced ﬁtness industry, and once they qualify, they have everything they need to start a career as a successful personal trainer, straight away.

SELL YOURSELF IN ONE PARAGRAPH

Coming to Solihull College will guarantee a hands-on, practical, and unique learning experience that will prepare you for your next step in life, whether your ambition is to progress to university, employment, or an Apprenticeship. Our high standard of teaching, and partnerships with local, national, and global companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Free Radio, and Monarch Airlines; combined with a clean, friendly, and productive working environment contains all the ingredients our students need to reach the best of their potential and go on to do great things.

We like to keep you up to date with the latest goings-on of your local institutions, as well as providing you with case studies and stories from people who have been in your position and seen the light at the end of the tunnel; this is their forum for connecting with you.

Kat Horsley, Operations Director, Easy as HGV

Gain Experience: Industrial Placements

After a few years searching for her vocation - working as a travel agent, a retail manager, and a promoter of rock and metal club nights - word of mouth led Kat to her career in logistics. A friend tipped her oﬀ about a job as trainee operations manager at Easy As HGV.

Competition in the graduate job market has risen dramatically in recent years, and students are always looking for ways to stand out from the crowd. An excellent way of doing this is by choosing an industrial placement as part of your degree course. This involves spending a year working in industry, normally between your second and third years of study, enhancing your CV and gaining highly sought-after skills. Employers not only like to see people who have developed the necessary theoretical skills, it’s also great if a student has used their initiative and sourced opportunities to develop their employability skills.

“I started oﬀ here licking envelopes and look where I am today four years later!”

Kat is keen to encourage women and young people into the industry. In the last four years, the number of women employed at Easy As HGV has grown from 1 to 11. Her advice? “Don’t be afraid to think creatively - if something doesn’t work, pool resources with others to change it for the better. That’s the spirit of this industry. And get a good pair of ﬂat shoes - you’re going to need them!”

Kat joined a company with only four employees, but with her help, Easy As HGV has gone from strength to strength and is outgrowing its oﬃce. Specialising in nationwide HGV training, the company now employs 40 people in a range of roles from training to marketing and sales.

During your placement you will be paid by the employer and treated as a permanent member of staﬀ. You will also gain practical experience that

Delivering your future: The deﬁnitive guide to careers in logistics: www.deliveringyourfuture.co.uk

www.careersworld.co.uk

can be invaluable both in your final-year project and when competing for jobs. Students with industrial experience tend to not only improve their final degree performance, but also develop clearer ideas about their future career path. We are aware that finding an industrial placement can be a step into the unknown for many students and we are here to provide support for you. We maintain regular contact with you, even when you begin your placement If you are interested in an industrial or sandwich placement, or a graduate job in the life sciences, biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries, make sure you take a look at the Cogent Placements website for all the latest opportunities.

Web: www.cogent-placements.com

The Passport to your Dream Horsey Job

Danny Hallam, Level 2 Apprenticeship in Leisure Operations Serco manage multiple leisure facilities on behalf of 23 clients, including community leisure trusts, local authorities and universities. We provide a comprehensive and high-quality range of health, leisure, ﬁtness, well-being and communityfocused services. Serco Leisure’s Apprentice Academy provides a fantastic opportunity for those wanting to take their ﬁrst steps towards a career in the leisure industry. The Academy provides a pathway programme encompassing a level 2 Apprenticeship in Leisure Operations, leading to a level 3 Apprenticeship for those that excel, in their chosen specialist leisure occupation. For Danny Hallam he is currently doing a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Leisure Operations; Danny

says, “It is all to do with the running of the facility; managing reception, maintaining a clean environment, setting up leisure equipment and dealing with all types of customers effectively.” Danny has also completed his NPLQ Lifeguard qualification whilst on programme and supports poolside operations. Danny has plans to further his training with Serco as he looks to go on to his Level 3 Leisure Management Apprenticeship and gain a permanent contract with his employing site. Danny says; “I have increased my confidence working here and learning on the job is great fun. During my Apprenticeship I have developed my working attitude, by this I mean that I have developed from a school child into a young adult.”

Web: www.serco.com/apprenticeships Email: apprenticeships@serco.com

Have you considered a career with horses? The British Horse Society can help make your horsey career aspirations a reality with their unique vocational qualifications system. Written by industry experts, they are exactly what employers are looking for. Even if you are not thinking about working directly with horses, extra curricular qualifications will enhance your CV and demonstrate aptitude, dedication and a willingness to learn. The Fab Four – BHS Stage Exams The BHS Stage exams are all round equestrian qualifications, split into horse care and riding units. The exams are really flexible so if riding isn’t your thing, you can concentrate on the management and welfare of horses with our Care exams. Instructor’s Qualifications The BHS Instructors’ qualifications are awarded for a combination of a BHS Stage exam and the successful completion of a BHS coaching

How do I apply? For further information on any of the qualiﬁcations above, please visit our website – www.bhs.org.uk or contact the BHS Education team on 02476 840508.

www.careersworld.co.uk

exam. They not only confirm your skills as a coach/teacher but acknowledge that you have an industry standard qualification in horse care and riding too. Work-Based Diplomas, Scottish Vocational Qualifications and Apprenticeships If the thought of a one day exam is a bit daunting and you prefer to have continual assessment whilst at a workplace then a Work Based Diploma (WBD), Scottish Vocational Qualification or an Apprenticeship may suit you better! Equine Tourism Qualifications The equestrian tourism sector is a growing area with many horsey and non-horsey people turning to a riding holiday or trek for relaxation. If you love riding outdoors on long hacks, cantering through glorious countryside or galloping along a beach then qualifying as a ride leader may be the perfect career for you.

Apprentices Beneﬁt from Community Beneﬁts!

Dan Cope Dan was asked to attend a Group Information Session to consider joining the PreApprenticeship Engineering programme offered by Performance Through People (PTP). Dan joined the programme and spent the first 4 weeks dividing his time between the Engineering workshop and the classroom. In the workshop Dan was introduced to bench work and how to operate a lathe. In May 2013 Dan secured a 2 week work placement at PAL Group, Darlaston. He spent one week in the maintenance department and one week in the tool room. Dan really made his mark and was offered a full time position and an Apprenticeship with the PAL Group, to commence at the beginning of July 2013.

Since returning to the PTP Engineering centre Dan has pulled out all the stops to ensure that he completes his level 1 qualification. Dan feels that the time he spent with PTP prior to attending work experience helped to build his confidence, which in turn helped him to prove to his employer that he would make an excellent addition to the workforce. Dan now has a planned career path that will help him to develop skills and experience to sustain a bright and prosperous future. The PAL Group believe in training and development and want to encourage Dan to take every opportunity to grow and develop within the company. Dan said “I liked the idea of learning skills that would enable me to find an Apprenticeship in engineering or construction, and knew this would be a good career path to follow.”

Did you know that Sandwell Council’s Community Beneﬁts Coordinator, Karen Richards, makes sure that all the local developments and builds take on local labour and recruit local apprentices? When the council buys in services or has large developments going on, Karen makes sure a Community Beneﬁt Clause is included in any commissioning documents. That means the contractors are required to take on a certain number of apprentices through Think Local, Future Skills Sandwell and Youth Employment Teams. The number of apprentices they are required to take on depends on the size of the project. For example the recent Tesco development led to 19 opportunities with the main contractor and subcontractors on site! Karen works closely with employers and the Youth Employment Team to make sure that the highest possible number of positions is made available to local Sandwell residents

Web: www.ptp-training.co.uk

for training and employment throughout the lifetime of the development. If you want to become a construction apprentice in carpentry, painting and decorating, plastering or bricklaying; give Future Skills Sandwell a call to arrange an appointment to discuss your future on 0121 555 4350. Or you could register on the National Apprenticeship website where you will ﬁnd all of Think Local’s Apprenticeship opportunities: www.apprenticeships.org.uk If you are an employer and would like to discuss taking on an apprentice please give Future Skills a call or to discuss Community Beneﬁts and how you can support Sandwell and its economy call Karen on 0121 569 2104

Email: future_skills@sandwell.gov.uk Tel: 0121 555 4350

www.careersworld.co.uk

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… How do I g adult soc et into ial care? 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.

One of th e best ways to get into t he sector is through an Apprenti ceship. Earn whil e you lea rn. Gain qua lifications . Become a confide nt and skille d worker.

For more information about adult social care Apprenticeships:

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

THE REAL WORLD Ollie, Oaklands Community Care Ollie left school at the age of sixteen and was unclear about which career path he wanted to take.

Health & Social Care

Then he heard about an Apprenticeship at Oaklands Community Care, who deliver care and support services to people with learning disabilities and mental health issues. Ollie felt this might be the career for him as he already had experience within his family of the positive impact supported care can have.

Everybody gets sick at some point, it’s just the way it goes. To help us get better, we need the very best in doctors, nurses, dentists and other medical staﬀ. It could be a strong bout of man ﬂu or a bump on the head from falling down the stairs; whatever it is, these guys have got you covered. If you want to be on the side that saves and improves lives, then you’ve chosen wisely!

You ask us... WHAT’S THE HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

If you couldn’t have guessed by the name, it’s about helping people who have fallen ill, hurt themselves or have problems at home. The medical side of this industry is vast; doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists, dentists, psychiatrists and many more roles help keep this country in top working order. The Social Care side helps people with more domestic issues, like fostering children, working with people with learning disabilities and helping families deal with issues.

WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

The average starting salary in this sector is around £13,000, but will quickly increase as you become more experienced and qualified (this is especially the case with nurses). A fully qualified nurse will earn upwards of £27,000 and doctors can earn anywhere between £38,000 and £63,000 depending on their speciality. Social workers usually start on £19,000 but can easily be on £35,000 when they become fully qualified and experienced.

WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

responsibility are rather large, so you might need to travel a lot. A more of a medical environment awaits those in the Health sector; healthcare assistants can work anywhere from A&E to maternity, whereas doctors and nurses might be based in local surgeries or in hospitals.

HOW DOES THIS SECTOR COMPARE TO OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

As you can imagine, this is a huge sector in the UK. There are more than 1.52 million healthcare workers and over 1.56 million social care workers in this country, so it’ll come as no surprise that the UK National Health Service (NHS) is the largest employer in all of Europe!

At Oaklands he was treated like a member of the team from the outset. Initially he began shadowing project workers, getting to know service users and taking on his own responsibilities. All this support helped Ollie gain confidence. Every day is different for Ollie. His tasks are varied and can include escorting service users to medical appointments, helping them to shop and cook, or just offering emotional support over a cup of tea. Ollie works with a wide selection of adults with varying needs across a range of different age groups. He feels a sense of achievement every day, helping vulnerable adults back into the community and supporting their needs. After school, Ollie didn’t think that he would be studying again, but it is clear to him now that being an apprentice is the ideal work-based route to a long term career, supported by on-going work training. Ollie said: “I would definitely recommend the Apprenticeship programme to those who want to gain experience in care whilst training and studying. It’s a brilliant programme and the training is second to none.”

WHERE IS THE WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

Every town or city has a hospital. If it didn’t, people would get very stuck very quickly. Doctor’s surgeries can be found in smaller towns and villages, with some surgeries covering more than one village if the area isn’t particularly built up. Social Workers work closely with the local authorities helping people in that particular area, but you do also get private ﬁrms which cover larger areas of the UK.

Web: www.skillsforcare.org.uk/apprentice Email: info@skillsforcare.org.uk

This depends on which area of the health sector you go into. If you work in Social Care, you will be out and about helping people in your remit. Some areas of www.careersworld.co.uk

Health & Social Care

Careers Choices Keeping people healthy has never been more important; we’re always looking for ways to protect ourselves from disease, improve our wellbeing or just lose a couple of pounds for the summer season. This sector covers everything from physical medicine and therapies to more specialised areas like psychiatry, fostering and child care. The Healthcare sector is huge; there are so many job roles that keep this industry ticking that we couldn’t possibly list them all. We just couldn’t. What we can do is show you the most popular areas that people go into and which job roles you might encounter when in that area.

ADULT SOCIAL CARE

Caring for adults is all about helping people who want to go out and live life, but for varying reasons couldn’t do it by themselves. It’s not about being a form of babysitter; it’s about helping people live their lives with dignity and independence. Some people are full time carers for family members, or look after several people during the course of their week. Salaries vary depending on your role and, perhaps more poignantly, when in the week you work. Night shifts, bank holidays and weeks usually pay much more than regular working hours, but normal starting salaries are around £13,000.

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS

This covers some of the more specialised career paths within the health sector; radiographers, therapists, dieticians, psychologists and optometrists all come under this section. Your average starting salary is around £17,000 – £21,000 and will increase as you progress in your ﬁeld.

CHILDCARE

Children require plenty of care; if left unattended they can draw on themselves, drink paint, catch ﬁre and fall victim to any number of problems. Childcare is all about making sure children are looked after in a safe, friendly and fun environment; the variables of this are dictated by the age of the children you are caring for. Your day might involve planning activities, providing meals, monitoring playtimes and leading basic educational sessions. You can expect to start on around £10,000, but after experience you can earn more and push on for a managerial role, which can earn you upwards of £22,000.

DENTAL

Going to the dentist isn’t everybody’s favourite thing to do, but dental hygiene is very important to our overall health. The human mouth acts as a gateway to the rest of our body, so if it’s not working properly, then our body won’t act properly either. The dental industry is a highly skilled trade to be in, so therefore you need to have good attention to detail and a good, reassuring nature (not to mention a steady hand!). Dental nurse salaries start out at around £16,000, where as fully qualiﬁed dentists can earn upwards of £30,000 in their ﬁrst year.

HEALTHCARE SCIENCE

Medicines, vaccines and other medical related chemicals are all created in a laboratory somewhere by our top healthcare scientists. This is less about surgery and patients and more about working in a lab with chemicals and data, which can be exciting if you enjoy chemistry. This also covers the pharmacists you get medicine from; they are responsible for choosing the right amounts of the right medicines that are prescribed by the doctors. Most starting salaries in this area are around £21,000 and will increase with experience.

HEALTH INFORMATION

Researchers, analysts, IT professionals… the list of people required to store the vast amount of health information is huge. These individuals are responsible for keeping a record of literally everything that goes on in the hospital, from prescriptions and surgeries to patient records and medical histories. A hospital without health information would be absolute chaos; this is for those who want to work in a medical environment but don’t want to do anything science related. Your salary depends on your role, but it will usually start at around £15,000, at the top end of the ladder you could expect to earn over double that.

www.careersworld.co.uk

NURSING & MIDWIFERY

Nurses assist doctors with complicated procedures, while also tending to the needs of the patients. In some situations, patients will be referred to nurses for simple surgical procedures or for blood sample collection. So it goes without saying that with all this patient interaction you’ll need to be smiley and approachable so that people feel safe letting you poke and prod them. Midwives are responsible for patients who are about to have (or have just had) babies. This involves both the patient’s and the baby’s well being, so if you love being around babies, this is deﬁnitely the career for you. Salaries usually start between £15,000 and £20,000, but can rise to £30,000 and beyond.

SOCIAL CARE

Social workers work closely with young people and families helping with various issues such as behaviour, parenting, education and fostering. They also work with people just released from prison, helping them integrate into society. You might be working in hospitals, prisons or anywhere in the local community. Salaries can range from £19,000 to £22,000 when you start out, but most qualiﬁed social workers are on £32,000 and over.

WIDER HEALTHCARE

As with the Health Information team, the hospital wouldn’t run without the various caterers, porters, maintenance staﬀ, gardeners and cleaners. Hospitals have to be kept clean to avoid infection spreading; many cleaning staﬀ undertake courses to become sterilising specialists who clean down rooms and equipment. Salaries start out at around £12,000 and will increase with experience and added responsibility.

THIS SECTOR EMPLOYS OVER

2 MILLION PEOPLE

THE HEALTH SECTOR IS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE UK

OVER

1.5 MILLION PEOPLE WORK FOR THE NHS

Where to begin If you think this is the sector for you, read on to learn more about how you can kick your career off…

APPRENTICESHIPS

If you are aged 16 and over you could enter an Apprenticeship, which would teach you the skills you need while you work and earn a salary. You’ll spend half your time in the classroom and half out on the job. Listed below are the apprenticeship frameworks for this sector, which when completed will give you a Level 2 qualiﬁcation in the form of a BTEC, Diploma or NVQ: Health and Social Care • Health (Pharmacy Services) • Health (Informatics) • Health (Healthcare Support Services)

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPS

These are the equivalent to A-Levels and can usually be joined after completing the associated Intermediate Apprenticeship. They are ideal for people who want a practical role as they learn while gaining valuable employment experience. People with Advanced Apprenticeships tend to progress up the ladder a lot quicker than those without, as the skills they learn are more suited to management and supervisory roles. Here are some of the Apprenticeship Frameworks for this sector and all of these will result in a Level 3 qualiﬁcation such as a BTEC, a Diploma or an NVQ. Health and Social Care • Health (Allied Health Profession Support) • Health (Clinical Healthcare Support) • Health (Dental Nursing) • Health (Healthcare Support Services) • Health (Maternity and Paediatric Support)

A-LEVELS

A-Levels are the most popular gateway into university and are sought after by employers. They will be useful to getting into this sector, especially science based qualiﬁcations. Here are the relevant A-Levels for this sector. Physics • Biology • Chemistry • Health and Social Care • IT • English

FOUNDATION DEGREES

A Foundation Degree combines university lifestyle with practical, hands on work. It’s sort of like a cross between an Apprenticeship and an Honours Degree. They are often used as gateway qualiﬁcations to a full time Degree as they count towards the ﬁrst two years of an Honours Degree. They usually take two years to complete and you’ll be both in the work place and on the university campus. There are a wide range of Foundation Degrees available for this sector, such as Health and Social Care and Nursing.

Health & Social Care

REGIONAL FOCUS Almost 14% of jobs in the West Midlands are involved with the health or social work sectors. For some reason, the health of infants and children is poorer in this region than in others, so there is a call for paediatric experts and infant nurses who can care for children who have fallen ill. There’s also quite a high proportion of people aged over 65 in the West Midlands, meaning social care for the elderly is an important industry.

COLLEGE COURSES

A college course is another way to get into this sector. For more information, check out www.careersworld.co.uk

VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Vocational qualifications, such as BTECS and NVQs, are a great way to get straight into the specific areas of this industry that wouldn’t be covered by other qualifications.

www.careersworld.co.uk

THE REAL WORLD Jorden Allcock - Higher Apprentice “University wasn’t for me - This is much better” What’s it really like to be… a Capgemini apprentice? Capgemini is one of the world’s biggest IT consultancy companies, helping its clients with technology problems and suggesting innovative solutions. At the moment, I’m working as a Software Engineer as part of the Microsoft team based in Sale.

IT, Digital & Telecoms Can you remember life before the Internet? Boring wasn’t it? Almost everybody in the world is linked by the World Wide Web and most jobs require some form of IT competence. From online advertising to providing technical support for businesses, IT is required in almost every sector in some shape or form, so it’s a good industry to work in!

You ask us... WHAT’S THE IT, DIGITAL AND TELECOMS SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

your own front room! You will have to have good interpersonal skills as computer problems stress people out and you’ll be Funnily enough, it’s all about computers and encountering a lot of stressed people! their various roles in society. From ﬁxing hardware problems to designing new ways HOW DOES THIS SECTOR COMPARE TO to combat viruses, it’s a varied sector that carries great importance; some companies OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY? depend entirely on their IT network so The IT, Digital and Telecoms industry it’s vital to keep up to date with the latest employs over 1.5 million people and out technology and programming to make of those there are 674,000 working in IT sure you can perform in an ever changing in other industries. This sector will require environment. 500,000 new entrants in the next ﬁve years, so there’s no better time to get into IT!

WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

The average IT professional earns £38,500 a year, so you can expect to earn good money in this sector. As companies move into a more digital age, there is a greater demand for qualiﬁed IT specialists. Starting salaries are between £16,000 and £20,000 depending on which career path you go down.

WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

In a typical day, I get asked to fix technical problems for the applications we’ve built and manage for clients. We rarely get the same problem twice – which is great because it means no two days are ever the same. What skills do you need? Team-working and collaborative skills are a must to build successful relationships with your clients, suppliers and colleagues. You also need communication, analytical and creative skills. And it’s good to be flexible about where you work, as you may have to travel to offices and client sites across the UK.” What happens at the end of your apprenticeship? That’s the best bit, a Capgemini apprenticeship isn’t just a training programme – it’s a full-time, permanent role from day one! At the moment I’m giving some thought to what I’ll do next. Working for a global company with offices around the world, means when you have completed the programme the opportunities are endless.

WHERE IS THE WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

This is one of the few sectors that actually gets more concentrated as you head north. This might sound strange, but Sheﬃeld, Leeds and Rotherham actually have the highest proportion of IT and Telecoms employment in the UK! As you can imagine, most work in IT is located in the larger towns and cities, but every company uses IT, so you won’t be hard pressed to ﬁnd vacancies!

If you think an apprenticeship is for you, ﬁnd out more or apply by visiting www.uk.capgemini.com/careers

It’ll come as no surprise that you will be working in front of a lot of computer screens! Depending on your job role, you could be working in a school, an oﬃce or even from www.careersworld.co.uk

IT, Digital & Telecoms

Careers Choices Well, there isn’t a bigger sector at the minute than IT. We all need it installing, maintaining and upgrading and you could be the one to do it! Most other professions require you to have at least basic IT knowledge, so it’s a valuable skill to have if you wish to branch out in your career. Here are some of the job roles you might encounter in this sector.

WEB DESIGNER

Every web page you visit on the Internet is the product of the creative process a web designer goes through. You’ll need an eye for detail as the page will have to be attractive, user friendly and functional in order to be a success. A lot of web designers work for themselves, but if you are working for a company, you will be heading up a team of programmers and specialists. Starting salaries are between £16,000 and £20,000.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

Software developers are responsible for designing programmes and applications for people to use. These range from simple programs like word processors and web browsers to more complex stuﬀ like computer games and social media sites. It’s a technical role that requires a lot of knowledge and detail, but the starting salary reﬂects this and is between £20,000 and £26,000.

IT TRAINER

If you wish to pass on the knowledge that you have learned, then you could set up your own teaching system to help people of all ability levels get to grips with IT. You could be teaching people anything from basic word processing and spreadsheet use to more technical stuﬀ like networking computer systems and hardware installation. Starting salaries are usually around £18,000.

HELPDESK ASSISTANT

This is for people who have good inter-personal skills as well as a solid understanding of IT. You’ll be handling a range of diﬀerent problems and will require knowledge about both hardware and software to cover all possible problems that might arise. Good customer service is also essential here. You can expect to earn £14,000 to £16,000 as a starting salary.

www.careersworld.co.uk

TELECOMS TECHNICIAN

Telecoms cover things like broadband, TV and Satellite, mobile phones and radio. It’s a varied occupation in which you’ll have to specialise. You could be installing satellite television in somebody’s home, or setting up internet access for a large international corporation! Starting salaries are usually between £14,000 and £16,000.

THERE IS A TOTAL IT & TELECOMS WORKFORCE OF

1.5 MILLION PEOPLE

105,000

BUSINESSES IN THE UK OFFER IT & TELECOMS PRODUCTS & SERVICES

IT ACCOUNTS FOR

OF THE UK WORKFORCE

Where to begin If you think this is the sector for you, read on to learn more about how you can kick your career off…

APPRENTICESHIPS

If you are aged 16 and over you could enter an Apprenticeship, which would teach you the skills you need while you work and earn a salary. You’ll spend half your time in the classroom and half out on the job. Listed below are the apprenticeship frameworks for this sector, which when completed will give you a Level 2 qualiﬁcation in the form of a BTEC, Diploma or NVQ: IT Applications Specialist • IT Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPS

A-LEVELS

A-Levels are the most popular gateway into university and are sought after by employers. Here are some of the relevant A-Levels for this sector: Computing • Design and Technology: Systems and Control • ICT

FOUNDATION DEGREES

A Foundation Degree combines university lifestyle with practical, hands on work. It’s sort of like a cross between an Apprenticeship and an Honours Degree. They are often used as gateway qualiﬁcations to a full time Degree as they count towards the ﬁrst two years of an Honours Degree. They usually take two years to complete and you’ll be both in the work place and on the university campus. You can study a foundation degree in Information Technology.

These are the equivalent to A-Levels and can usually be joined after completing the associated Intermediate Apprenticeship. They are ideal for people who want a practical role as they learn while gaining valuable employment experience. People with Advanced Apprenticeships tend to progress up the ladder a lot quicker than COLLEGE COURSES those without, as the skills they learn are A college course is another way to get into more suited to management and supervisory this sector. For more information, check out roles. Here are some of the Apprenticeship www.careersworld.co.uk. Frameworks for this sector and all of these will result in a Level 3 qualiﬁcation such as a BTEC, a Diploma or an NVQ. IT Applications Specialist • IT Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals

www.careersworld.co.uk

IT, Digital & Telecoms

REGIONAL FOCUS IT is big business in the West Midlands because of the size of Birmingham and the surrounding area. Due to the vast population of the city, there are many computers and networks to maintain. Technology in the region receives a boost to funding because of the Birmingham Science City organisation, which promotes science and technology in Birmingham and through the West Midlands. One of the biggest IT companies in the area is Capgemini, which is based in Shropshire.

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OPEN EVENTS FOR 2014 Wednesday 5 March 2014

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THE REAL WORLD

Business & Customer Service Business is all about getting stuﬀ done. Whether it’s launching and selling a product or starting up a company in your kitchen, business boils down to one thing; making money. If you have good business acumen, then you won’t be far from success. Every business is hinged on meeting and dealing with customers and for that you’ll need a good customer service ethos. A smile, a friendly demeanour and a professional but helpful attitude will help your customers feel at ease and in good hands.

You ask us... WHAT’S THE BUSINESS & CUSTOMER SERVICE SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

Customer Service is a little different, as you have to act as the face of the company and therefore require a more relaxed demeanour It’s a huge sector that covers nearly every (you’ll still have to be professional; don’t other industry out there. Everybody needs be greeting top customers with ‘Yo dude, to make money to survive, from your how’s it hanging?”!). local corner shop to the world’s largest companies. It goes hand in hand with HOW DOES THIS SECTOR COMPARE TO customer service, which businesses rely on to not only attract new customers, but OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY? also keep hold of current ones. This sector This country sees over 8000 new businesses covers everything from management to started every week; some from current being an entrepreneur and starting your companies merging, others starting up with own business. With regards to customer just one staff member in their living room. service, you’ll find roles in telesales, Nearly a quarter of UK private enterprises reception and more! are situated in the business services sector and recently new schemes have been WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT brought in to help people aged 18-24 start up their own companies.

Striving for excellence in customer service If apprentice, Jobeda Khatun had continued with the A Levels she’d been studying, and had pursued her ambition to work in design, it’s likely that the job role she would have ended up with would still have been linked to the medical industry. “When I was doing my A Level art, design and fashion courses, I came across some medical illustrations and diagrams and was really impressed by the detail in them,” said Jobeda, who has been employed by Sterling Pharmaceuticals as a customer services apprentice for almost a year. “I seriously considered becoming a medical illustrator, but then after doing my AS Levels, I became more interested in working than going to university and found this Apprenticeship.” Along with fulfilling duties such as processing orders from pharmacies and hospitals for medical capsules, suspension garments and other medical products, Jobeda has kept up her studies through a Level 2 customer services qualification delivered by Birmingham Metropolitan College. Jobeda continued: “I’m more of a practical person. I learn better through doing something rather than talking or reading about it, but I appreciate how important it is to have qualifications to support your experience of being in work. “With an Apprenticeship, you get both of these things in one go.”

TO EARN?

It depends on your role in a business and the type of company you work for. As a money orientated sector, you’ll be making plenty of cash if you keep hitting targets. The average salary for starters in business is around the £15,000 mark, but don’t be surprised to see this ﬁgure increase very quickly. Customer Service starts out at about £11,000, but is a career ladder that’s easy to climb with the right attitude and can in some cases lead to a career in PR.

WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

WHERE IS THE WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

It probably won’t surprise you to hear that the largest concentration of work in the business sector can be found in the South of England, towards the London area. However, many new start up companies are found in the North, around major cities such as Manchester and Sheﬃeld. Leeds is also renowned for its business district, where the headquarters of supermarket giants Asda, hair product company GHD and video games developer Rockstar are located.

Web: www.bmetc.ac.uk Email: ask@bmetc.ac.uk Tel: 0845 155 0101 Twitter: @bmetc

A business environment is competitive and fast paced; sales targets have to be met in order to satisfy customers and management alike. If you’re ambitious and enjoy a challenge then you’ll revel in it and go far. www.careersworld.co.uk

Business & Customer Service

Careers Choices Business is vital to our economy; without it, there wouldn’t be any money. And without money, there’d be no society. So it’s imperative to make sure that businesses run to their best potential. To make these businesses work, there are many cogs in the machine, such as administration, human resources and management, all of which require a different set of skills.

ADMINISTRATION

Administration is the part of business that we as customers rarely see. Whenever we sign up for a contract on a phone or buy a house, that contract has to be processed, checked and ﬁled away for future reference. These aren’t skills to be taken lightly and the function of admin should never be underestimated. You can expect to earn between £15,000 and £20,000, with the possibility to earn more with progression.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Customer Service is all about making customers feel like they’re in safe hands when doing business with your company. Whether it’s a friendly telephone demeanor or a simple smile and a handshake, a company’s treatment of their clients goes a long way to doing future business. It also helps garner reputation to attract new customers that previously slipped through the net. Starting salaries are around £12,000, but progression can come quickly and with it comes a higher wage.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Somebody has to look after the employees in a company and this job falls to the human resources department. This is no easy task, especially when it’s a large company with hundreds of people in various job roles. Responsibilities for the HR department include hiring and recruiting, keeping employee records, dealing with complaints and providing staﬀ training for development. Salaries start out at around £15,000, while managers can earn close to £50,000 a year.

ENTREPRENEURIAL

Ever wonder why there isn’t a product in the world that probably should exist but doesn’t? Then why not go for it and start up your own business? Perhaps you have a talent which you can showcase as a service to other people or know how to turn a struggling business into a successful one. The government is currently running a scheme for 18-24 year olds who want to start their own business, providing funding, training and help to make sure young people starting from scratch are on the right path.

www.careersworld.co.uk

4.7 MILLION

SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS THE UK

Where to begin Fancy a career in business? Well read on to ﬁnd out how you can get started...

APPRENTICESHIPS

If you are 16 or over then you can enter an Apprenticeship, which would teach you the skills that you need while you work, you’ll also earn a salary. On your Apprenticeship, half of your time will be spent doing the job and the other half will be spent learning in the classroom. Listed below are the Apprenticeship frameworks for this sector, which when completed will give you a Level 2 qualiﬁcation in the form of a BTEC, Diploma or NVQ: Business and Administration • Contact Centre Operations • Customer Service • Management • Sales and Telesales

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPS

These are equivalent to A-Levels and can usually be joined after you complete the associated Intermediate Apprenticeship. Advanced Apprenticeships are perfect for those who want a practical role as they learn while gaining relevant employment experience. People with Advanced Apprenticeships often progress up the career ladder faster than those without, because the skills that they learn are more suited to management or supervisory roles. Here are some of the Apprenticeship Frameworks for this sector, completing any of these will result in a Level 3 qualiﬁcation such as a BTEC, NVQ or Diploma. Business and Administration • Contact Centre Operations • Customer Service • Enterprise • Management • Sales and Telesales

A-LEVELS

A-Levels are the most popular route into University and are sought after by most employers. The following A-levels provide a great path into this sector: English Language • Maths • Business Studies • IT

FOUNDATION DEGREES

A foundation degree combines the University lifestyle with practical, hands on work. It’s basically a cross between an Apprenticeship and an Honours Degree. They are both used as gateway qualifications to a full time Degree because they count towards the first two years of your Honours Degree. Foundation Degrees normally take about two years to complete and you will be in both the work place and on the university site. Nearly all universities provide Foundation and full Honours degrees in Business related fields.

A FULLY QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANT CAN EARN OVER

£50,000 PA

BUSINESS SKILLS CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO ALMOST ANY OTHER SECTOR!

Business & Customer Service

REGIONAL FOCUS Over 100,000 people work in the business sector in the West Midlands. The region is full of contrasts, with Birmingham having such a large population and the counties of Shropshire and Herefordshire being so rural. Because of this, Birmingham is the centre for business in the West Midlands. Many cities throughout the area are not especially successful commercially, but at the same time, the region is also home to some of the most aﬄuent areas in the UK, such as Solihull.

COLLEGE COURSES

A College course is another good way to get into the Business and Customer Service sector. To ﬁnd out more about these courses, have a look at www.careersworld.co.uk.

www.careersworld.co.uk

Discover NEW College

Open Events at NEW College in Redditch and Bromsgrove

School Leaversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Open Evening Wed 30 April 2014 5:30-8:00pm Family Fun Day Sat 17th May 2014

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01527 570020

THE REAL WORLD Oliver Walton, Media Moving Image National Diploma Level 3 and Foundation Degree After his time at NEW College, Oliver went on to further his study with a top-up year at the University of Gloucestershire, before setting up his own business - Fix 8 Films.

Creative, Media & The Arts Facebook, Emmerdale, The Mona Lisa, Call of Duty. All these things have one thing in common – they all fall into Creative, Media and Arts sector and they could be the basis of your future career!

You ask us... WHAT’S THE CREATIVE, MEDIA AND ARTS SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

HOW DOES THIS SECTOR COMPARE TO OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

The Creative sector will soon become one of the most important in the country. As technology advances, people need to keep up to date and that’s where you come in. At present, the industry is worth £36 billion a year; in the time it takes you to read to the bottom of this section, the Creative sector have generated over £70,000. Around WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT will £1 in every £10 of our exports are in this TO EARN? sector, which means that other countries You’ll start off on somewhere in the region favour our approach to Media, Creativity of £10,000 to £18,000 depending on what and The Arts. you do. Some of the newer roles, such as interactive and digital media tend to pay WHERE IS THE WORK MOST more because they are more specialised, CONCENTRATED? but nearly all the career paths available will have room for advancement and as the It obviously depends on what you specialise market continues to expand new roles will in, but generally there is more work the further towards London you go. However, become available. the BBC has recently relocated a lot of its to Salford (near Manchester) WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD programming and there are of course independent I BE WORKING IN? publishing companies, newspapers and Most media companies work out of offices digital media companies all over the country. and studios; this isn’t anywhere near as It really is a case of moving to where the boring as it sounds as most creative offices work is, but once you become established, are bustling with ideas and tend to be more moving won’t be an issue. laid back than the bigger corporations. Of course TV and Film would have you working in various settings both indoor and outdoor and the fashion industry could take you from a cat walk to a high street shop. It’s everywhere. On your TV, on your computer, on your games consoles, in every newspaper, painting, t-shirt, magazine, book, website or newsletter, it’s a massive sector that covers the things we enjoy most at home.

www.careersworld.co.uk

Oliver’s company creates high quality professional corporate videos, ﬁlms, music videos, and documentaries for a range of businesses, brands, and charities, with Reebok being one of their most recent clients. How did NEW College help you? NEW College was so friendly, and it felt just like home. The course itself was very well structured. We were lucky because of the equipment and facilities we had around us. The access to the facilities meant I pushed myself and spent hours upon hours in the editing suite, experimenting with all of the equipment, which gave me an advantage when I reached university. How did the tutors at NEW College help you? The course itself was delivered by inspiring tutors who were always there to help. I was lucky with how ﬂexible and helpful my tutors were. They were always supportive and helped me grow as an individual by inspiring me to reach for greater heights.

Web: www.ne-worcs.ac.uk Tel: 01527 570020 Email: info@ne-worcs.ac.uk

Creative, Media & The Arts

Careers Choices If you have the imagination to match your ambition and desire to succeed, then you will go far in this sector. From television to fashion, there’s a whole host of different career paths to be taken, but be aware that this is a very popular sector to get into, so it’s best to get some work experience behind you to make you more attractive to employers. Here are some of the biggest areas within this sector:

PUBLISHING

This magazine you are reading wouldn’t exist without publishing and it covers everything to do with written word. Most publishers are small and deal with specialist publications, such as career speciﬁc magazines or travel guides. Starting salaries are quite high, ranging from £15,000 to £20,000.

INTERACTIVE MEDIA

Also known as New Media, everything from Facebook and Youtube to apps and websites is covered here. You’ll have to move with the times, as in this industry something could go from popular to forgotten in just a few seconds. Remember Bebo? No, me neither. Starting salaries are pretty high because it’s a specialist subject; expect to earn between £16,000 and FILM & TELEVISION Fancy yourself as the next Phillip Seymour £20,000 with more to come as you become Hoffman? What do you mean who?! Well, more experienced. it’s not all about the actors; all those names that scroll at the end of the credits (that you FASHION probably leave the cinema half way through) If you know what’s hot and what’s not, are roles that make film and television work. what’s in and what’s out, then this could Cameramen, sound and lighting operators, be right up your alley. Fashion covers makeup artists, special effects specialists designing new clothes, patterns and styles and directors are just some of the roles as well as buying stock for high street shops available. Salaries usually start out fairly to sell. You can expect to start on between low (about £12,000) but will grow as your £12,000 and £15,000. experience does.

PERFORMANCE ARTS

All the world’s a stage. Not only does this cover the performers, but also the supporting crew; you could be in wardrobe, stage management or directing the whole show! Starting salaries are usually between £12,000 and £16,000 depending on your role.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

PR is all about networking – you might be representing a small company looking to expand or a high proﬁle celebrity in search of that next big blockbuster. Starting salaries in PR are usually higher than others in this sector; you’re looking at £19,000 to start out with, but experienced PR people at the top of the ladder can earn upwards of £100,000! That’s a lot of chicken dinners…

www.careersworld.co.uk

ANIMATION

Finding Nemo, Toy Story and Shrek; all are huge animated ﬁlms that started life on a drawing board. Animators work on bringing still images to life. Animation isn’t just limited to ﬁlm; it appears in TV, on websites, adverts and video games. Starting salaries are between £16,000 and £20,000 and can increase with experience.

CURATORS/CONSERVATORS

Museums, heritage sites and art galleries all require experts to look after the exhibits that guests come to see. Whether it’s bringing new exhibits in or restoring old ones to display quality, it’s a varied job that will give you a lot of gratiﬁcation. There is a minimum salary (by law) of £20,895, which you can expect to rise as you gain experience.

55,900

PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED WITHIN TV - 11% OF THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY MORE THAN

1/3

OF PEOPLE WORKING IN MEDIA ARE FREELANCE

50%

OF THE TV WORKFORCE HAS UNDERTAKEN UNPAID WORK

Where to begin If you think this is the sector for you, read on to learn more about how you can kick your career off…

APPRENTICESHIPS

With over 48,000 diﬀerent companies in this sector, an Apprenticeship might be the easier route to take to get into a very tough sector. Competition for places in this industry are super high, so having one foot in the door and earning as you learn could be a great way to go. Here are the frameworks you can expect to see in this industry and all Apprenticeships result in a Level 2 BTEC, Diploma or NVQ. Design • Games Testing • Performing Arts (Theatre) • Fashion and Textiles • Music Business • Creative

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPS

A-LEVELS

A-Levels are the most popular gateway into university and are sought after by employers. Here are some of the relevant A-Levels for this sector: Art and Design • Dance • Drama • Fine Art • Graphic Design • Media Studies • Music Technology • Photography

FOUNDATION DEGREES

A Foundation Degree combines university lifestyle with practical, hands on work. It’s sort of like a cross between an Apprenticeship and an Honours Degree. They are often used as gateway qualiﬁcations to a full time Degree as they count towards the ﬁrst two years of an Honours Degree. They usually take two years to complete and you’ll be both in the work place and on the university campus. Example degrees include Creative Writing, Animation and Photography.

Creative, Media & The Arts

REGIONAL FOCUS If you are looking for a job in media, you’re likely going to have to gravitate towards the Birmingham area. The BBC is represented at the Mailbox in the city centre and ITV broadcasts near the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. Radio stations can be found in all the major towns and cities in the region, with Coventry, Stoke, Worcester and Shropshire all having their own stations. If you are looking for somewhere to start a career in media, Channel 4’s 4talent has a branch in the West Midlands for aspiring young people.

COLLEGE COURSES

College courses are also a great way to get into this sector and many colleges do Creative courses. To check which colleges do these courses, head to www.careersworld.co.uk. www.careersworld.co.uk

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Manufacturing & Processing Nearly every product we use in our lives is a product of manufacturing; food, toasters, toilet seats, TV’s, cars, t-shirts, perfume and even satellites are a result of this industry! If the thought of the creation process fascinates you, then you won’t ﬁnd a career in a better industry than Manufacturing!

You ask us... WHAT’S THE MANUFACTURING & PROCESSING SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

It’s all about making stuff. Or more precisely, the process of how that stuff is made. This could start way back in research and development, or it could be on the factory floor actually making products. Because so many things come from manufacturing, it’s a highly important industry that many other sectors rely on. The industry is generally broken down into seven sectors; Automotive, Electronics, Aerospace, Defence, Metals, Chemical and Building.

WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

It’s tricky to say; because of the sheer size of this industry, it’s easier to talk about the job roles that you ﬁnd in all areas of manufacturing. Jobs on the assembly line usually start out at around £13,000, while more specialised positions like engineers and technicians start on a higher salary, usually around the £16,000 mark. Because of the size of this industry, advancement to supervisory positions is encouraged and training is usually provided by employers.

HOW DOES THIS SECTOR COMPARE TO OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

In case you hadn’t noticed, manufacturing is incredibly important to the UK economy; the industry is worth £131 billion to our economy! There are close to 132,000 manufacturing business in the UK, employing 2.5 million people. As Ron Burgundy would say, it’s kind of a big deal!

WHERE IS THE WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

Because of the diverse nature of this industry, it’s pretty much spread across the country. Historically speaking, manufacturing tended to be based in the North of England; Sheﬃeld has a rich steel manufacturing history, while major cities such as Liverpool and Newcastle were famous for ship building. Of course, if you live in the south you won’t have to head north to ﬁnd work; most manufacturing sites are located on the outskirts of major towns and cities where there is access to major transport means, such as motorways and ports.

WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

Much like the construction sector, it really does depend which area of manufacturing you go into. Those working in chemical, aerospace and pharmaceutical roles might find themselves in a laboratory, testing materials in a variety of different conditions. If you were to work in the process part of manufacturing, you’d be in a factory, working in a team assembling and sorting parts and products. The defence sector obviously has a lot of military applications, so don’t be surprised to find yourself having to travel to a base of some kind to meet with potential contracts.

www.careersworld.co.uk

Manufacturing & Processing

Careers Choices Manufacturing is all about mass production. Whether it’s building a luxury cruise liner or designing a state of the art computer, you’ll be working with a mix of traditional methods and state of the art machinery. Although a lot of manufacturing companies are now based abroad, the UK is still the sixth largest country in the world for this industry and this is recognised by the fact that a lot of foreign companies such as Toyota, Tata (a steel company) and Reebok (sports goods) now have established production bases here. Here are some of the areas you could work in:

AEROSPACE

Aerospace engineering is split into two sections; aeronautics (anything that flies in our atmosphere) and astronautics (anything that goes into space, such as shuttles and satellites). Within both of these disciplines, you’ll be looking at the different factors that affect these aircraft, such as aerodynamics, control surfaces and propulsion systems.

AUTOMOTIVE

This area of Manufacturing relates to anything vehicle related; cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, campervans, ﬁre engines and anything else that goes on the road originates from this sector. The UK is so renowned for its vehicle manufacture that companies from other countries, such as Honda, Nissan and Toyota have set up factories here! You could be working in a whole range of areas, from developing a new petrol cap to actually constructing a whole vehicle.

METALS

Metals manufacturing in this country has always been an important industry to the UK economy. Metal has a million uses and therefore, it has plenty of diﬀerent job roles associated with it. Not only that, but with recycling becoming big business, a greater number of jobs are becoming available in this sector. As well as recycling plants, you could ﬁnd yourself working at a foundry (where metal moulds are made for other industries), an ore extraction facility (where metals are dug up and processed in their raw forms) or even as a blacksmith, making items such as specialist tools, garden gates or horseshoes.

CHEMICAL

Chemical manufacturing is all about taking raw materials and turning them into useful things. This has a whole range of applications across various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, food and drink, textiles and synthetic products. You could be working in a laboratory researching ELECTRONICS The UK electronics products industry is the and experimenting, or on the factory floor fifth largest in the world and we produce maintaining the machines that mix the all sorts of things; from laptop computers chemicals. to microwave ovens. Not only that, but we also manufacture a lot of electrical BUILDING PRODUCTS components, such as circuit boards, semi Those materials that builders use don’t just conductors and microchips. Working in this appear out of nowhere; bricks, pipes, grills area demands a skilful eye; you might find and glass are all made in manufacturing yourself developing parts that can only be environments. There are so many different seen under a microscope! job roles involved in creating building materials, so there’s a need for skilled young people (that’s you! ) to start. You could be working with a kiln making bricks, or using plastic moulds to make piping for gas and water networks!

www.careersworld.co.uk

EXAMPLE JOB ROLES

We couldn’t possibly list all the job roles for this sector (well we could, but you’d be reading something as thick as a phonebook), but here are some job roles that you’ll find in most aspects for Manufacturing: • Assembly Line Worker Using the components provided, you will be assembling the products ready to be shipped out across the world. This could be fitting a microchip to a device, or packing a TV remote in with a home media system. The starting salaries are usually around £13,000. • Materials Technician These guys are responsible for testing out how well products perform under certain conditions, such as cold, heat and water. Salaries usually start out between £14,000 and £17,000 a year. • Supervisor Supervisory roles are always needed in this industry to monitor the various parts of the manufacturing process. Salaries start out at around £16,000 for apprentices, but fully qualified supervisors can easily earn in excess of £32,000.

THERE ARE ALMOST

132,000 MANUFACTURERS IN THE UK

Where to begin If this is the ﬁeld for you, then read on to ﬁnd out how you can get started.

APPRENTICESHIPS

This is the most popular route into this sector, because of the hands on nature of the learning. An apprenticeship allows you to learn your trade while also being paid a salary. There are many employers and colleges out there who provide apprenticeship schemes. Below you will ﬁnd the Apprenticeships frameworks relevant to this industry, which will give you an idea of what you’ll be able to choose from. All these frameworks result in a Level 2 qualiﬁcation, such as NVQ’s BTEC’s or Diplomas, are the equivalent of 5 GCSE passes and takes two years to complete. Ceramics Manufacturing • Combined Manufacturing Processes • Engineering Construction • Extractives and Mineral Processing Occupations • Food and Drink • Glass Industry • Jewellery, Silversmithing and Allied Trades • Polymer Processing Operations • Process Manufacturing

A-LEVELS

A-Levels might not sound relevant to this ﬁeld of work, but employers and universities both like candidates with scientiﬁc and practical subjects. Here are some examples of A-Levels you could study to gain entry to this industry. Maths • Physics • Chemistry • Biology • Design and Technology • Textiles

FOUNDATION DEGREES

If you feel like you want to experience the university lifestyle and perhaps break away from those troublesome parents, then a Foundation Degree is a way of getting there. They usually last two years (this does tend to vary depending on your choice of course) and mix study with practical learning. These courses are available across the country and might give you the opportunity to live away from home and give you more independence – you’ll get to choose your own bed time and everything. They are available in a whole host of subjects, such as Modern Manufacturing, Mechanical ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPS This is the equivalent of two A levels, but and Manufacturing Engineering and without sitting in a classroom studying. Electrical Systems. Like a regular Apprenticeship, it’s suited to more practical ﬁelds of work. Advanced COLLEGE COURSES Apprenticeships in construction only take a A college course is another way into this year and on completion you will receive a sector. To see if there are any colleges near Level 3 Qualiﬁcation, either a BTEC, an NVQ you with relevant courses check out or a Diploma. www.careersworld.co.uk. Combined Manufacturing Processes • Engineering Manufacture (Craft and Technician) • Extractives and Mineral Processing Occupations • Food and Drink • Glass Industry • Jewellery, Silversmithing and Allied Trades • Polymer Processing Operations • Process Manufacturing www.careersworld.co.uk

OVER

2.5 MILLION PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED IN THIS SECTOR

THIS SECTOR CONTRIBUTES OVER

£130 BILLION

TO THE UK ECONOMY

Manufacturing & Processing

REGIONAL FOCUS The West Midlands’ manufacturing sector has been in decline in recent years, but it still employs more people on average than most other regions. 285,000 people work in the manufacturing sector in the West Midlands area, which is around 11% of the workforce in the district. Manufacturing generates £14 billion for the region, which is higher than the UK average. There are a lot of food manufacturers in the West Midlands, for example Cadbury and Bulmers Cider are located in Herefordshire and Müller Dairy Ltd is based in Shropshire.

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Your Career,

Your Choice. We couldn’t possibly print an article for every sector; we’d have to change the name to ‘Careers World Textbook’! But, we also understand that the five sectors covered on the previous pages might not be to your tastes. Not to worry! Below are the other sectors we cover, which we will detail more in upcoming issues. You’ll also find some example job roles, expected starting salaries and the qualifications you can study to get into the sector to give you an idea of what to expect from each sector.

AGRICULTURE & ANIMAL CARE

We depend on this sector a lot more than most beautiful locations, or as a vet looking after most people think; most of our food comes household pets. from agriculture and with a growing number of people taking pets on, there is a demand for Example Job Roles: Ranger • Veterinary skilled veterinary staff to take care of them. Assistant • Farm Worker • Landscape Agriculture is a very broad term for working Technician outdoors. It’s commonly mistaken for farming, Salaries: Starting salaries are usually which while a large part of this sector, is not the around the £13,000 mark. be all and end all. Forests, rivers, mountains Qualifications: Apprenticeships (Level and national parks all need looking after; not 2 and 3) • College Courses • Foundation to mention the animals that reside within them! Degrees (university is the best way into You might find yourself working as a park ranger, veterinary linked job roles) helping conserve the plants and animals in our

ARMED FORCES & EMERGENCY SERVICES

We rely on our emergency services when things go wrong and they are a vital part of our day to day lives. From the police who patrol our streets to the paramedics who save lives, this sector is all about helping people in the community. Of course, serving in the armed forces means protecting the country and providing international aid to other nations. Whether you are based abroad or in the UK, you’ll be working as part of a team in a variety of situations, some of which will take place in hostile environments so a cool head is a good trait to have!

Example Job Roles: Paramedic • Police Officer • Fire Fighter • Coastguard • Soldier • Fighter Pilot • Navy Cadet • Royal Marine Salaries: Military salaries usually start at around £13,000, while emergency services salaries are usually around £19,000. Qualifications: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3 – HM Forces run their own apprenticeship schemes) • College Courses (such as police studies) • A-Levels (useful for officer training)

AUTOMOTIVE

If you know your spark plugs from your spare and problem solving mentality, but this sector is tyres, then you’ll probably have a future in the generally favoured by those who enjoy working automotive industry. This sector covers the with their hands. maintenance of any vehicle with an engine, from cars and motorcycles to more complex Example Job Roles: Mechanic • Vehicle systems such as combine harvesters and Service Technician • Panel/Paint Technician luxury coaches. You could find yourself working Salaries: Salaries in this sector tend to start in a garage fixing up customer’s vehicles, or at around £13,000 a year. in a workshop specialising in things like body Qualifications: Apprenticeships (Level 2 work, paint and windscreen repair. You could and 3 – this is the most popular route into also work in one of the main car dealerships, this sector) • College Courses • Foundation diagnosing and repairing cars and offering Degrees • HNDs advice to customers. You’ll need an analytical www.careersworld.co.uk

CONSTRUCTION

Building structures is something the human race has always prided itself in; from simple houses to the Empire State Building, every building requires a different method of planning and construction. Actually building the structure is just one part of the process; there are a whole host of job roles in this sector! Civil engineers and surveyors plan and design building projects, scaffolders construct safe platforms for others to use, plumbers fit pipes for various water outlets and painters make everything look eye catching. This is an industry that combines both practical and design orientated job roles.

Example Job Roles: Bricklayer • Plumber • Plasterer • Surveyor • Civil Engineer • Painter/Decorator • Joiner • Carpenter • Scaﬀolder Salaries: Civil Engineering starting salaries are around the £15,000 mark. Salaries around practical roles such as Joinery and Bricklaying tend to start at around £13,000. Qualiﬁcations: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3 - this is a popular route into this sector) • A-Levels • College Courses • Foundation Degree • HND

EDUCATION & EARLY YEARS

As a person between the ages of 14-19, you’ve probably spent the better part of your life so far in school. So, why consider being a teacher? Well, it’s a very rewarding career to have, as you’re helping the next generation of people through some important (and tricky) times. This sector also covers play work and early years, namely, working with toddlers and very young children. This could be through a nursery, preschool or a day care/activity centre. Whichever age group you choose to work with, you’ll need a caring, helpful and patient personality.

Example Job Roles: Teaching Assistant • Nursery Nurse • Playworker • Play Centre Assistant Salaries: Salaries usually start at around £12,000 a year. Qualiﬁcations: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • A-Levels (English is great for all job roles in this sector, but if you want to go into full time teaching, you’ll need to study the subject you want to teach!) • College Courses • Foundation Degrees (You’ll need a teaching qualiﬁcation to teach full time)

ENERGY & RENEWABLES

Traditionally, our energy came from burning This sector oﬀers job roles in a wide variety of fossil fuels, which were pretty harmful to the areas, such as plant maintenance, recycling atmosphere. But, being a smart, proactive operations and nuclear working. species, we’ve adapted our energy sources to make the most of our environment. Now, Example Job Roles: Recycling Operator • we can generate power via wind turbines, Plant Technician • Radiation Monitor geothermal reactors, tidal generators and solar Salaries: Starting salaries in this sector are panels. We also have nuclear power, which quite high, starting at around £17,000. might not sound environmentally friendly, but it Qualiﬁcations: Apprenticeships (Level 2 generates a lot of energy and is relatively cheap and 3) • A-Levels (Sciences are useful here) to run. The government has also invested a • College Courses • Foundation Degrees lot of money in recycling our household waste and goods, in a bid to keep our country clean.

ENGINEERING

Engineering is a vast sector which can be choose to work in, you can be sure that your broken down into seven main categories; work will be challenging and varied. chemicals, mechanical, metals, electrical, aerospace, marine and defence. Chemical Example Job Roles: Systems Engineer • engineers manufacture everyday products from Aerospace Engineer • Electrical Technician • raw materials such as crude oil. Mechanical Lab Technician engineers work with high-tech machinery, Salaries: Salaries start at around £14,000. while the metal engineering industry covers Qualiﬁcations: Apprenticeships (Levels 2 the creation of steel and other alloys. Electrical and 3) • A-Levels (Technology and Maths are engineers work with, you guessed it, electrical helpful here) • College Courses • Foundation systems and aerospace is all about creating and Degrees improving things that ﬂy. Defence is all about, er, defending the country. Whichever area you

FINANCE & LAW

Both of these are vital to how our country runs; finance is all about working with money, while law covers everything from the justice system to working in a courtroom. With finance, you might find yourself working in a bank serving customers, or working personally with people providing financial advice on areas such as mortgages, loans and savings. The legal sector also has plenty of job roles that require you to work with the public, such as court clerks, paralegals and admin staff.

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Example Job Roles: Paralegal Assistant • Finance Assistant • Payroll Clerk • Finance Advisor • Legal Administration Assistant Salaries: Expect your salary to start at around £14,000 for the legal sector, while you’ll be starting on around £11,000 in a ﬁnancial role. Qualiﬁcations: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • A-Levels • College Courses • Foundation Degrees

HAIR & BEAUTY

In an age where getting your hair and nails done is no longer considered girly (come on guys, don’t kid yourselves), making people look and feel good has become big business. And it doesn’t stop at feeling great on the outside; this sector also covers spa therapy, which is a growing industry in the UK. You could be working in a salon styling hair, recommending a nail design or in a country retreat providing seaweed wraps; whatever you choose to do, you can be satisﬁed that you’ve helped give somebody a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Example Job Roles: Spa Therapist • Hairdresser • Barber • Nail Technician • Beauty Therapist Salaries: Salaries in this sector tend to start at around £13,000. Qualiﬁcations: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • College Courses

RETAIL

Well, who doesn’t love shopping? Retail is big business in the UK and we spent £311 billion on shopping last year (when I say we, I mean the country, not me and the missus...), therefore there is a need for skilled retail staﬀ to cover the demand. Retail covers all forms of shopping, from high street clothing stores to giant supermarkets. Customer service and communication skills are vital to this industry, so if you are a helpful, happy person, then a career in retail could be right up your street. Get it? Street? Shopping? Ah, never mind.

Example Job Roles: Sales Assistant • Visual Merchandiser • Manager/Supervisor/ Team Leader • Retail Buyer Salaries: Starting salaries in the retail sector are usually around £11,500. Qualiﬁcations: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • College Courses • Foundation Degrees

SPORT & FITNESS

Getting fit and healthy has become a really important part of people’s lives. This sector is all about helping people improve through various forms of exercise; this might be in a gym using weights, or on a football pitch playing in a cup final. Either way, this sector is about making people feel good about themselves so you’ll need good interpersonal skills and a determined nature to help push people to achieve their goals. You could find yourself training somebody in a health club, or outside coaching athletes in a variety of sports.

Example Job Roles: Personal Trainer • Sports Coach • Fitness Instructor • Outdoor Activities Supervisor Salaries: Gym based job roles tend to start out at around £13,000, while coaches start on anywhere between £12,000 and £18,000. Qualifications: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3, inc. a route into professional sports) • A-Levels (Sport Science and Biology will be of use) • College Courses • Foundation Degree • Industry Specific Qualifications

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

Ever wondered how that present you ordered hundreds of people. A clean driver’s licence will online makes its way to your front door? Nearly be required for any full time driving jobs. every business makes use of Logistics at some point, whether it’s ordering new parts for a Example Job Roles: Railway Operative project, sending out a new product to stores • Airport Ground Staff • Mail Service or something as simple as sending a birthday Technician • Warehouse Operative • Bus/ card. You could find yourself working at a Coach Driver port or airport, or even working oversees on a Salaries: Starting salaries in this sector are freighter. It isn’t just deliveries; this sector also around £12,000 a year. covers the public transportation industry. The Qualifications: Apprenticeships (Level 2 vast network of railways and bus routes requires and 3) • A-Levels (Geography is useful for constant upkeep and maintenance and keeping transport related job roles) • College Courses everything running on time is a job that requires • Foundation Degree

TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY

Everybody needs to let their hair down from time to time and this sector allows you to work in an area dedicated to helping people have a good time. That could be here in the UK working in bars, restaurants and hotels or abroad acting as a holiday representative or a travel agent. That’s right; you could actually go on holiday for a living! This sector is ideal for those with good people skills, as you’d be working with plenty of diﬀerent people from all sorts of backgrounds. Travel is also a great way to get out and see the world while also earning a salary!

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Example Job Roles: Bar Staff • Front/Back of House Staff • Chef de Partie • Overseas Rep • Travel Representative • Cabin Crew Salaries: Starting salaries are between £11,000 and £16,000. Qualifications: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • College Courses • Foundation Degrees • Industry Specific Qualifications

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01384 573 783

Dudley:

01384 253 950

Walsall:

01922 645 666

Wednesbury: 0121 505 5455

Wolverhampton: 01902 570 111

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c:\Careers Hub>_

We appreciate more than anyone the importance of giving appropriate careers advice to students between the ages of 14 and 19. To help we have put together some aides, guides and FAQs to help you to make up your mind and make the changeover from pupil to employee that bit easier. Over the next few pages, we will tackle some of the common problems and concerns students face during the summer term.

The Summer Term This time of the year is arguably one of the most important for, and dreaded by, students of all ages. From 14 to 19, there are end of year reviews and ﬁnal exams. Most older students will have by now decided on what route they want to take after school or college, but for others there may still be important decisions to be made. There will no doubt be much excitement about the future, but there will inevitably be a fair amount of disappointment too, with grades not being to the required level, or not getting that dream University place. For this reason we’ve put together a guide to one of the most important processes for those who haven’t quite gotten on to the course they’ve dreamed of, Clearing. Also included is a ‘versus’ guide, to help students decide between Apprenticeships and A levels, as well as useful links for your area, to make it easier for you to get in touch with those important contacts.

CLEARING

If you haven’t got the university place that you were hoping for, and your reserves haven’t worked out either, then all is not lost. Clearing helps over 55,000 students every year find places in universities and colleges that they didn’t originally apply for. The process is basically a way for higher education bodies to fill up any spaces that are left over from the initial application period. It’s all done through your UCAS profile, so this is the first place to turn to if you didn’t get that much sought-after university place. There are several reasons you might need to use Clearing: You didn’t get the grades…If you didn’t meet the requirements of your conditional offers then the first thing you need to do is check UCAS. There’s often a bit of leeway and they may have still accepted you. If you are shown as conditional, then you might have to give the uni a bit of time to process you. If after a couple of days there isn’t any change then you can

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give them a call and they’ll let you know what’s what. You can always contact UCAS if the uni is taking too long! You will be provided with a Clearing number on your online proﬁle if it ends up that they haven’t accepted you, and you should quote this to any universities with Clearing courses that you are interested in so they can look at your proﬁle and decide if they want to interview or accept you.

convince you to stay, but at the end of the day they’re not going to force you to stay in a place that you don’t want to! You applied late…Every year there are those that miss the UCAS application deadline. Sometimes a university will tell you to apply anyway, but there’s no guarantee that you will get a place. If you applied after 15th January and you haven’t been successful in getting an oﬀer, or you applied after 30th June, then you will be placed into Clearing automatically. You will have to complete the UCAS online application in the normal way, as well as paying the £22 fee for a degree application if you haven’t already. Your Clearing number won’t show up until after they have processed your application, but you can always do some research on what courses, unis and colleges you fancy going to while you wait.

You changed your mind… Picking a course, as well as a university or college, is a very tough decision. You might get all the way through to the ﬁnal stages of your application, even get accepted, but then decide that you were pressured into studying Maths, or you don’t fancy living in London. If you really don’t think you can cope with the course you have been accepted on then the ﬁrst thing you need to do is ring up the university or college you applied to and ask them to release you. They might not be happy It’s important to keep your about it, and will probably try to mind open when you enter

Clearing. Options are limited, so making the choice to defer your application or to decline your offers should not be a quick and easy decision. There is a reason that applying to do a degree is a lengthy process and not just a free-for-all! Everywhere you want to go may already be full up, or you might have to do a foundation course or different degree so you can go the university you want. The good news is that if you don’t have your mind set on a specific course then you are not limited to one degree. You could enquire about English with French at one university and Modern Foreign Languages at another, you won’t be penalized.

CONFUSED ABOUT CLEARING? WHICH QUALIFICATION? APPRENTICESHIPS VS A-LEVELS

Call 0800 100 900 or search online for National Careers Service

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National Careers Service

13/03/2014 09:19

Careers Hub

Confused about Clearing?

YOU HAVEN’T BEEN OFFERED A PLACE AT UNI - ARE YOU LISTED AS ‘CLEARING’?

NO WAIT A WHILE PROVIDER MAY STILL BE CONSIDERING YOU

RING THE UNI OR COLLEGE IF IT IS TAKING A LONG TIME TO GET AN UPDATE ON YOUR APPLICATION

YES

TALK TO SOMEONE - YOUR SCHOOL OR COLLEGE CAREERS ADVISOR WILL BE ABLE TO HELP YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION - FRIENDS AND FAMILY CAN BE A BIG HELP TOO!

DO YOU WANT TO GO THROUGH CLEARING? YES

3 4

E N D

CHECK OUT WHO STILL HAS SPACES VIA UCAS ONLINE (THE SITE IS UPDATED REGULARLY) - THE TELEGRAPH ALSO PRINTS CLEARING COURSES

DO YOU STILL WANT TO STUDY THAT COURSE? YES

NO CHECK YOUR ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS SEE BOX RIGHT

YOU ARE WILLING TO CONSIDER A DIFFERENT COURSE

GO TO

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

THERE ARE LOTS OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE: • RE-SIT A-LEVELS • TAKE NEW A-LEVELS • GAP YEAR • EMPLOYMENT YOU CAN ALWAYS APPLY AGAIN IN THE FUTURE

GO TO

THAT COURSE IS PERFECT FOR YOU AND YOU CAN’T THINK OF ANOTHER YOU WANT TO STUDY

CONTACT YOUR CHOSEN UNI OR COLLEGE FOR MORE INFORMATION DID THEY TELL YOU TO PROCEED?

SEARCH FOR NEW COLLEGE OR UNI AND TRY AGAIN

GO TO

YES IF THEY LIKE YOU AND WANT YOU TO APPLY, THEN

TAKE A LOOK AROUND THEIR CAMPUS OR WEBSITE/S

ADD THEM AS YOUR CLEARING CHOICE ON THE UCAS WEBSITE - YOU CAN ONLY MAKE 1 CLEARING CHOICE AT A TIME

DID THEY SAY YES? YES

OR SEARCH FOR NEW COLLEGE OR UNI AND TRY AGAIN

GO TO

NO CHECK YOUR ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS SEE BOX ABOVE RIGHT

E N D

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’RE GOING TO COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY!

Where are you heading? 44

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Call 0800 100 900 or search online for National Careers Service

Helping you take the next step www.careersworld.co.uk

National Careers Service

13/03/2014 09:19

Careers Hub

Which Qualification? There are tonnes of different types of qualifications at varying levels; for example, a Level 3 NVQ is the equivalent to an Advanced Diploma. This can be confusing and trying to figure out what is the same level as what can be mind boggling. Below is a handy chart, listing all the levels of study and the qualifications students can take, making it easier to tell your diplomas from your degrees!

LEVEL

5 GCSEs

LEVEL

SKILLS FOR LIFE

LEVEL

BTEC

LEVEL

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

LEVEL

OCR NATIONALS

AWARDS, CERTIFICATES & DIPLOMAS

LEVEL

NVQs

FOUNDATION LEARNING

LEVEL

ENTRY LEVEL

CERTIFICATES

(GRADES D-G) 1

5 GCSEs

LEVEL

(GRADES A*-C) 2

INTERMEDIATE

HIGHER APPRENTICESHIPS

BTEC 2 NATIONALS

LEVEL

DIPLOMA OF

NVQs

LEVEL

NVQs

ADVANCED DIPLOMAS

LEVEL

BTEC HIGHER NATIONALS (HND, HNC)

OCR NATIONALS

LEVEL

BTEC FIRSTS

LEVEL

NVQs

LEVEL

FOUNDATION LEVEL 3 DEGREES 4+

LEVEL

APPRENTICESHIPS

FOUNDATIONS 1

A LEVELS

FOUNDATION LEVEL FOUNDATION LEVEL DIPLOMAS 1 DIPLOMAS 2 OCR LEVEL NATIONALS 2

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPs

GCE IN APPLIED

SUBJECTS

LEVEL

3 3 3

HIGHER EDUCATION

LEVEL

4+ LEVEL

SPECIALIST LEVEL 4+ 3 AWARDS

LEVEL

Top Tip It’s tempting when revising for exams to think that you only need the grades to get into college or get onto the course you want. You end up setting yourself a low bar to make yourself believe that you don’t have to do as much work. You have to cut that out right now! Your GCSEs are likely to be the ﬁrst really important exams you take, and even those are taken into consideration by employers, universities, Apprenticeship providers, and more. You can go through the entire educational process and still be expected to give your school grades on a job application form, so that’s real incentive to try as hard as you can!

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Call 0800 100 900 or search online for National Careers Service

Helping you take the next step www.careersworld.co.uk

National Careers Service

13/03/2014 09:19

Careers Hub

Apprenticeships Vs A-Levels Apprenticeships are becoming more and more popular for those looking for qualiﬁcations beyond GCSEs, but do they really stand up to the traditional after-school route of studying A-levels at college or sixth-form? We’ve given you the facts on both to help you ﬁgure out which direction you want to go in with your education.

APPRENTICESHIPS

A-LEVELS

Very diﬀerent to the academic route, Apprenticeships are a form of ‘vocational’ education, which basically means you will be learning trade skills. You will be in a work environment instead of a classroom. You will specialise in a job role and learn all about the ins and outs of that occupation.

A-Levels are very academic and are, in many ways, similar to school. You will inevitably be taking exams and will probably have some form of coursework, though the environment is a bit more grown up this time around. The experience also diﬀers between college and sixth form.

YOU’LL EARN A REAL WAGE, GET TRAINING & RECEIVE QUALIFICATIONS

FREE PERIODS TO STUDY OR SOCIALISE

A PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT, NOT A CLASSROOM

MEET LOADS OF NEW PEOPLE AT COLLEGE OR STICK WITH YOUR FRIENDS AT SIXTH FORM

FANTASTIC JOB PROSPECTS: YOU ARE LIKELY TO BE KEPT ON AFTER YOUR TRAINING

RECOGNISED QUALIFICATIONS THAT YOU CAN USE TO APPLY FOR A WIDE RANGE OF CAREER ROUTES

UCAS ACCEPT APPRENTICESHIPS: DON’T THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVEN’T DONE A-LEVELS THAT YOU CAN’T GO TO UNI!

MANY APPRENTICESHIPS ARE ACTUALLY HARDER TO OBTAIN THAN UNIVERSITY PLACES

APPRENTICES EARN ABOUT £100,000 MORE OVER THEIR LIVES THAN THOSE WHO CHOOSE OTHER ROUTES

NOT AS MUCH FOCUS ON SCHOOL UNIFORM. COLLEGES OFTEN DON’T HAVE ANY UNIFORM RULES AT ALL!

APPRENTICESHIP FRAMEWORKS ARE DESIGNED BY EMPLOYERS: THE MATERIAL IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY SEVERAL SUBJECTS. YOU COULD BE ACTING IN DRAMA ONE MINUTE, THEN DESIGNING A CAR IN CAD THE NEXT

Where are you heading? 46

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Call 0800 100 900 or search online for National Careers Service

Helping you take the next step www.careersworld.co.uk

National Careers Service

13/03/2014 09:19

The Sixth Form Specialist

King Edward VI College

We offer ...  the widest range of A-Levels and BTECs in Coventry & Warwickshire  a specialist 16-19 education without the cost  a grown-up learning environment  easy access - 5 minute walk from Nuneaton Bus and Train station Our students ...  are from Coventry, Warwickshire, West Midlands and neighbouring counties  over 10% of our students travel to us from Coventry

OUR HISTORY

IS YOUR

How to find out more ...  www.kecnuneaton.ac.uk

Tel: 02476 328231

 Kind Edward Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 4BE

FUTURE

UNIVERSITIES Aston University www.aston.ac.uk 0121 204 3000 Birmingham City University www.bcu.ac.uk 0121 3315000 The University of Birmingham www.birmingham.ac.uk 0121 414 3344

The University of Warwick www.warwick.ac.uk 024 7652 3523

UNIVERSITY TECHNICAL COLLEGES

University of Wolverhampton www.wlv.ac.uk 01902 321000

Aston University Engineering Academy www.auea.co.uk 0121 3800 570

University of Worcester www.worcester.ac.uk 01905 855111

Black Country UTC www.blackcountryutc. co.uk 01922 470763 JCB Academy www.jcbacademy.com 01889 506 100

Coventry University www.coventry.ac.uk 024 7688 7688

WMG Academy for Young Engineers www.utcolleges.org 0207 960 1555

Harper Adams University www.harper-adams.ac.uk 01952 820280

West Midlands Construction UTC www.westmidlands constructionutc.co.uk

Keele University www.keele.ac.uk 01782 732000 Newman University www.newman.ac.uk 0121 4761 181

COLLEGES SHROPSHIRE Derwen College www.derwen.ac.uk 01691 661234 Ludlow College www.ludlow-college.ac.uk 01584 872846 New College Telford www.nct.ac.uk 01952 641892

HEREFORDSHIRE Hereford College of Arts www.hca.ac.uk 01432 273359 Hereford Sixth Form College www.hereford.ac.uk 01432 355166 Herefordshire and Ludlow College www.hlcollege.ac.uk 0800 032 1986

Shrewsbury Sixth Form College www.ssfc.ac.uk 01743 235491 Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology www.shrewsbury.ac.uk 01743 342342 Telford College of Arts and Technology www.tcat.ac.uk 01952 642200 Walford and North Shropshire College www.wnsc.ac.uk 01691 688000

Staﬀordshire University www.staﬀs.ac.uk 01782 294 000

ENTREPRENEURS ARE NOT BORN, THEY’RE M DE! Founded by entrepreneur and star of Dragons’ Den, Peter Jones CBE, the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy offers unique courses in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship for those aged 16 and above. Our pioneering business courses, which are being delivered in colleges across the country, ensure that our students achieve an accredited qualification and also gain the necessary experience and skills that are vital for employment or running their own business. There’s nothing quite like one of our Enterprise courses, each one embraces the Academy’s ethos of ‘learning by doing’ by combining innovative teaching methods with sessions from industry experts. We currently offer BTEC Levels 2 and 3 and our ‘Ignite’ Apprenticeship programme, which includes the Advanced Apprenticeship in Enterprise and the new Higher Apprenticeship in Innovation and Growth.

Careersworld advert - autumn 2013 v1IC.indd 1

www.careersworld.co.uk

STAFFORDSHIRE

BLACK COUNTRY

BIRMINGHAM

Burton and South Derbyshire College www.burton-college.ac.uk 01283 494400

City of Wolverhampton College www.wolvcoll.ac.uk 01902 836000

Birmingham Metropolitan College www.bmetc.ac.uk 0845 155 0101

City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College www.stokesfc.ac.uk 01782 848736

Dudley College www.dudleycol.ac.uk 01384 363000

Bournville College of Further Education www.bournville.ac.uk 0121 477 1300

Newcastle-under-Lyme College www.nulc.ac.uk 01782 715111 South Staffordshire College www.southstaffs.ac.uk 0300 456 2424 Stafford College www.staffordcoll.ac.uk 01785 223 800

Sandwell College www.sandwell.ac.uk 0121 667 5000 Stourbridge College www.stourbridge.ac.uk 01384 344344 Walsall College www.walsallcollege.ac.uk 01922 657 7000

Stoke-on-Trent College www.stokecoll.ac.uk 01782 208208

Fircroft College of Adult Education www.ﬁrcroft.ac.uk 0121 472 0116 Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College www.jcc.ac.uk 0121 466 2200 Queen Alexandra College www.qac.ac.uk 0121 428 5050 Solihull College www.solihull.ac.uk 0121 678 7000

City College Coventry www.covcollege.ac.uk 024 7679 1000 Henley College Coventry www.henley-cov.ac.uk 024 7662 6300 Hereward College of Further Education www.hereward.ac.uk 02476 461231 King Edward VI College Nuneaton www.kinged6nun.ac.uk 024 7632 8231 North Warwickshire and Hinckley College www.nwhc.ac.uk 024 7624 3000 Stratford-upon-Avon College www.stratford.ac.uk 01789 266 245

WORCESTERSHIRE Kidderminster College www.kidderminster.ac.uk 01562 820811 North East Worcestershire (NEW) College www.ne-worcs.ac.uk 01527 570020 South Worcestershire College www.sworcs.ac.uk 01386 712600 Worcester College of Technology www.wortech.ac.uk 01905 743456 Worcester Sixth Form College www.wsfc.ac.uk 01905 362600

Solihull Sixth Form College www.solihullsfc.ac.uk 0121 704 2581

“

Cadbury Sixth Form College www.cadcol.ac.uk 0121 458 3839

WARWICKSHIRE

Warwickshire College – Royal Leamington Spa, Rugby and Moreton Morrell www.warkscol.ac.uk 01926 318000

“

Leek College www.leek.ac.uk 01538 398866

King Edward VI College Stourbridge www.kedst.ac.uk 01384 398100

South and City College Birmingham www.sccb.ac.uk 0800 111 6311

Choosing the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy instead of A-Levels was a perfect decision. I am now National Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 and running my own business!

“

Harry Day, Solihull College

To read more about the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy courses and to find an Academy near you, get in touch today! www.pjea.org

0207 471 0520

info@pjea.org

29/08/2013 14:43:50

www.careersworld.co.uk

Find us at www.facebook.com/careers.world and follow us on twitter using the handle @careers_world. We are currently running a competition which rewards all of our Facebook friends; every time we get another 500 likes on the Careers World page, we’ll choose one lucky winner to receive a prize! What’s even better is that the prizes will continually get bigger and more exciting as we get more likes!

COMPETITION WINNER! In our last issue, we asked you to send in an article with the title ‘What Not to do at an Interview’. Congratulations to Jessica Cameron of Baysgarth School in Humberside who will be receiving a £50 Amazon Voucher! You can read her fantastic article below:

K££P YOUR WALL£T W£IGHT£D Whether you’re off travelling after school, doing a placement abroad or away from home, or going to uni; one thing’s for certain, you’re going to have to start looking after your own cash. Here’s our advice. Don’t take it seriously. • • • • •

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You can get a good four uses out of pants by wearing them backwards and inside out. Note: does not work with thongs Make friends with someone with a car. It’s the cheapest possible public transport Own-brand beans Go vegetarian. Have you seen how much meat costs? Eat like a rabbit and you can aﬀord to have the heating on that week Sell everything you don’t need online. People will buy anything on eBay. Lost one of your shoes? Flog the spare on the internet Freezers are your friends. I’ve made a loaf of bread last a year before now Own-brand beans Running is cheaper than the gym. You’re probably going to be mal-nourished from not eating anyway There’s a coupon for everything. Google it before you leave the house. …Own-brand beans

So, you’ve got an interview. Possibly the most important of your career; you cannot risk losing out on this job, nothing can go wrong. You know exactly what you need to do; you’re conﬁdent, your CV is word perfect and your references are impeccable. But… have you thought about what not to do at an interview?

There’s the obvious, we all know you probably shouldn’t turn up late, insult your prospective boss or pick your nose, but have you ever thought about the less obvious? Not everybody does and it’s often these subtleties that are more significant and perfecting them could set you apart from your competitors. Bear in mind your posture; don’t slouch or look uninterested. Appear confident; don’t avoid eye contact or give yes/no answers. It’s the simple things like this that may very well get you the job you’ve been waiting for. Never turn up in a creased shirt or with unwashed hair; be polite and courteous, be confident and be yourself; don’t leave wishing you’d never entered the room. Every interview is important, and could change your life. Remember though, picking your nose at an interview is still a definite no no.

There’s a species of jellyfish that regenerates its cells so well, it can never die if it is never hunted. It’s the time-lord of the sea When a rabbit is excited it makes a movement called a ‘binky’ A flamingo can only eat when its head is upside down Male puppies let female puppies win in play-fights, what gentlemen! Polar bears are left-handed A giraffe can clean its ears with its tongue The Common Swift never lands, it flies for all its life, eating flying insects to stay alive You can housetrain an armadillo, but they’re smelly and nocturnal. That’s not an excuse to call your brother an armadillo Gentoo penguins mate for life, and instead of a ring they propose using a pebble. You can lead a cow upstairs…but not down again

www.careersworld.co.uk

Ready to make some tough decisions about courses, careers and your future? You don’t need to make your big career decisions alone. The National Careers Service can help you: • assess your skills • find the right course • choose the right uni • understand the job market • find out about careers • develop your CV Text your name and ‘advice’ to 07766 413 219 and a National Careers Service adviser will call you back for free.

You can also search online for National Careers Service, or call us on 0800 100 900.