Careers World London AUTUMN 2013 by Open Doors Media Ltd

LONDON edition

AUTUMN 2013

JESSICA ENNIS-HILL “We all need to have a vision of what we might want to do as a career”

UCAS: THE GUIDE

Our ultimate guide for applying to Uni

RPA? TRAINEESHIPS? Our Editor gives you the lowdown...

m AFFILIATE MEMBER

Thinking about College? vocational Bexley College has a wide range of s courses for school leavers and adult her Education ig H * n io at uc Ed r he ig * Access to H * Child Care s es in us B * n ig es D & rt * Apprenticeships * A ack English & Maths Tr st Fa * L O ES * n io ct * Constru ng & Beauty ri be ar B r, ai H * ng ni ar * Foundation Le h & Human Sciences lt ea H * re Ca & h lt ea H * puting * Law om C & T IC * ) D IP (C ce ti * HR Prac * Photography ng si ur N * on ti uc od Pr * Media Training * Social Work * Teacher

00 Contact us on 01322 4040 or visit www.bexley.ac.uk

www.fb.com/bexleycollege

We’re Careers World funky new features, including Magazine, your one stop some frequently asked place for careers guidance! questions, some advice from careers advisors and This term brings some an interview with the lovely important choices for a lot of Jessica Ennis-Hill. people, so we’re here to help you make the choices that So, what are you still looking suit you best. at the contents page for? Turn this page over (actually, In this issue, we will provide maybe look at the contents you with some tips and tricks ﬁrst) and start your journey to help you make those towards your dream career! important decisions, as well as an in depth look at the biggest career sectors in your region. You’ll also ﬁnd some Tom Haymes, Editor

Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill tells us her inspirations for success in the ﬁrst of our new features.

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

Travel & Hospitality

27 39

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

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

Finance & Law

Manufacturing

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

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

Transport & Logistics

Some commonly asked questions about this time of year.

23 35

Creative, Media & The Arts

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

Applying to University: All You Need to Know! A handy guide to the many aspects of applying for university!

And now for something completely different...

Published by Open Doors Media Ltd 01765 694 120 | info@opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Designer | James Sharman design@opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Advertising | Sales sales@opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Editor | Tom Haymes editor@opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Production Manager | Sarah Peel artwork@opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Distribution | Subscriptions distribution@opendoorsmedia.co.uk

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 ©2013. ISSN: 2050-6562

As part of our shiny new look, we’ve decided on some new features. This section will feature interviews with famous people about their life and careers; don’t forget, they were all in your position once! First up is Olympic Heptathlon Gold Medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill. Jess grew up in Sheﬃeld, Yorkshire and was competing in track and ﬁeld from an early age. She talks to our editor about her experiences and provides some insight into what it’s like to be a professional athlete!

So, has the euphoria of the Olympics worn off, or do you still get goosebumps when you hold your medal? I still get a real buzz when I see the footage from London, or show my medal to people. I worked so hard over twelve years to win that medal so it’s such a satisfying feeling to simply hold it and remind myself I did it.

Studies have recently shown that a student that has completed an Apprenticeship is just as desirable to an employer as a university graduate because of the work experience gained. What are your thoughts on this? I think it’s really important to have some kind of qualification to fall back on and as an apprentice you usually come away with supporting qualifications. I think we all need Your affinity for athletics began at a young age; at what point did you decide to have a vision of what we might want to do as a career as this sets you up with a you wanted to be a full time athlete? I first tried running, jumping and throwing at foundation for working. the age of ten and when one of the coaches suggested I join a club, I started to focus People often cite their parents as an on specific disciplines. So I was roughly influence on their careers, how much 13 years old when I decided sport was the input did your family have on your career for me. career choice? My parents weren’t really an influence on me; they offered me support and advice It’s obviously a lot of people’s dream when I wanted it, but it was me who made to be a sports personality, what does it feel like to be living that dream? Do you the decisions in the end. still pinch yourself before you compete at big events? Away from the track, what do you do I don’t think you ever dream of being a to unwind between events? I hear you sports personality; you dream of being the are a Sheffield United fan… best athlete and for athletics the highest I do support Sheffield United, but I’m not a achievement is to win Olympic Gold. The huge football fan; I don’t have the time to rest of it is a by product of striving for that really follow a lot of sport as I train 6 days a goal. I do really enjoy all of the fun events, week. In my downtime I like nothing better glamorous parties and amazing shoots, but than curling up on the sofa with a good TV first and foremost I am an athlete. box-set to watch. I need my rest!

Determination is vital to being a professional athlete; would you say that same attribute could be applied to studying in school? I was always a focused student but I had to work hard to achieve really good grades – so yes if you apply yourself you will achieve your best.

Before making the choice to become a full time athlete, did you ever want to do anything else? At one time I did think I’d like to be a journalist, but really I took up athletics pretty young and was ambitious as a sportswoman from the outset.

When you decide to hang up your trainers, will you remain in some sort of sporting capacity or will you move into something else? I’m not really sure, but I deﬁnitely want to put something back into sport and help others with their careers. How that will look is something I am working on at the moment, but I still have a few years left on the track!

You studied Psychology at university, which is a bit different to athletics, what was your thinking there? I really enjoyed psychology and wanted to study something outside sport; I loved the course and I think if I was not an athlete I would have pursued a career in psychology.

Obviously Shefﬁeld has a huge manufacturing background; how much did your environment affect your choices growing up? Shefﬁeld has played a key role in shaping me; I was born there, discovered athletics there, I went to school and university there and I choose to still live and train there. People from Yorkshire are known to be pretty down to Earth and being surrounded by honest and kind people has been a real advantage. I also have a very close family network and I think the combination has meant I had no desire to go to university in the US or anywhere else. So yes, I can say it has affected my choices.

www.careersworld.co.uk

Do you have any tips for young people who want to pursue a career in professional sports? Make sure you get the balance right between sport and education; you need a good education to get you through your whole life, whereas a sports career is relatively short. The heptathlon is your speciality, why did you choose this over other track and ﬁeld events? I tried out all disciplines when I was young and was guided by my current coach into heptathlon as I had the ability to do all 7 disciplines. How important do you feel careers advice is to young people? If you have no idea what you want to do, it is always good to look at all the options available. Careers advice can help you focus on what it is that you really want to do.

What’s next for you then? Has the preparation for the next Olympics begun? I’m taking each championship as it comes, and my long term goal will of course be the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

As a result of your successes, you must have met some interesting people? Who’s your favourite person you’ve met so far? It’s hard to say; there have been a lot of really interesting people, but I might have to say David Beckham who is incredibly nice and a great family man – principles I really like. Do professionals such as yourself have much involvement in training younger athletes who are just starting out? Not whilst you are an athlete yourself as you have to really focus on your own training. But when I can I share experiences through my work with Sky Sports ‘Living for Sport’ or through my website. You have travelled all over the world competing; which country have you enjoyed the most? I think it’s probably the commonwealth games in Melbourne, Australia; I loved the city and the people. Rome in Italy is a close second. Do the Olympians form a sort of social circle? Do you speak to any other athletes a lot outside of competitions? Not really, I tend to have close friends during competitions and training camps but when I am done at the track it’s key for me to switch off and be with my family and friends from school, they keep me real. Do you have any tips for people about to make those vital career choices? Take time to work out what you enjoy the most; work is full time and it’s much easier if you enjoy what you do and get satisfaction from doing it. If you don’t know, then don’t rush into something, you might regret it later in life.

Are you looking to earn while you learn?

You could be in employment sooner than you think! We are looking for:Business Administration, Children and Young People’s Workforce, Customer Service, Health and Social Care, IT Professional, IT User, and Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools apprentices right now!

• Funded work-based training for the right candidates •Apprenticeships funded by the SFA for suitable candidates •Foundation Learning programme

hillingdon training Ltd

is one of the most successful training providers in West London.

t: 01895 671976 e: info@hillingdontraining.co.uk w: www.hillingdontraining.co.uk

Each issue, we ask our editor to give you a roundup of the topics that are going to 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 go through pages of information to learn all this, but don’t worry; we’ve done all that for you! Without further ado, we’ll introduce our editor!

MEET THE EDITOR

My name is Tom and I’m the editor for Careers World magazine. As surprising as it may sound, it wasn’t too long ago that I had to make choices about what I wanted to do. I remember sitting in a stuffy classroom, being confronted with weird words like ‘Apprenticeship’, ‘Vocational’ and ‘Wikipedia’ (I’m not actually joking, life was tough back then...). I looked blankly at my careers advisor as they listed off what seemed like pages and pages of options, courses and colleges. I was in way over my head. Which path was the right one for me? What were these government programmes that I’d heard about? I know that the position I was in wasn’t unique to me; there were, are and always will be thousands of young people who aren’t really sure what they’re going to do after leaving school, or what’s really going on in the world of education. This article is here to discuss some of the hot topics in the world of education, so that you are aware of how they impact you and what you can do to make sure you fully beneﬁt from them. So then, let’s get started.

RAISING THE PARTICIPATION AGE Or RPA to you and me! It might sound like something you’d hear in a credit card advert, but RPA is very, very important to you.

WHAT IS RPA?

It essentially dictates the age that somebody is free to leave compulsory education, so it really has a bearing on the choices you’ll be making in the near future. Compulsory education was, until this year, completed at the end of Year 11 (at the age of 16) and then you were free to go out and do what you liked. With the participation age now moved to 17, it means those leaving school in Year 11 must continue in education (or other options – we’ll get to that). It doesn’t, as many worried young people thought, mean that they’re sticking another year into secondary school. You still do GCSEs in Year 11; the only difference is you now have to choose your next step in education. www.careersworld.co.uk

WHY CHANGE IT?

Many young people are a bit bafﬂed as to why the government has told them they have to spend another year in education or training. I can see why; at 16 you gain more independence and some of you will be keen to see what you can make of yourselves in the wider world. This is admirable, but the problem was that people were leaving school and then not doing anything at all. This not only puts a strain on our beneﬁts and welfare system, but it also means that many young people weren’t able to get jobs further down the line.

After a great deal of thought, the government decided that rather than risk young people’s talents going to waste, they’d implement a system which gave the younger generations a chance to be prepared for the working world. It shouldn’t be thought of as ‘making you stay in school’ because this isn’t the case at all; it’s simply a way of ensuring that young people have a better chance of employment in a very tough job market.

CHOICES, CHOICES...

As I said, you don’t have to stay in school if you don’t want to. Full time education doesn’t mean full time school. There are basically 3 options you can choose from, which are as follows: • •

•

Full -time study in a Sixth Form, college or with a training provider Full-time work or volunteering combined with part-time education or training An Apprenticeship

Many of you will already have made your decision and won’t really have noticed all of this going on. If you’ve already applied for a Sixth Form or College, then you’ve voluntarily applied for full time study without even thinking about it. If you haven’t made a choice yet, then don’t panic! If you don’t fancy the idea of continuing studying, then you can opt to get a job instead.

on your C.V.! Again, this has to be accompanied by training or education, but the education can be done part time while you work.

WHO IT AFFECTS

If you’re reading this and you’re in Year 11 or below, then you’ll be the ﬁrst crop of young people to experience the RPA. If this is the case, then chances are you’ve already made your decision on what it is you want to do next. The options will be explained to you in more detail by your careers advisors and teachers; remember, don’t worry if you don’t know what to do, there are plenty of people around you willing to help. As the year progresses, you’ll perhaps learn more about what it is you want to do.

Now that job, as part of the new RPA rules, must include training. The best way to do this is through an Apprenticeship. Why, you ask? Well, an Apprenticeship allows you to earn money while you train in a fully functioning, work environment. They’re available in pretty much every line of work you can think of; head to www.apprenticeships. org.uk, register and apply (you THE FUTURE can apply for up to ten at a time If you are just starting Year and registration is totally free!). 11, then you’ll have plenty of You can also volunteer or do time to choose your next step. intern work; you won’t get paid, With GCSEs coming up in the but the experience will look great summer, it’s probably an idea

to start thinking about it now. What you choose in the future will have a much larger bearing, because as of next summer, the participation age goes up again, to 18. The same rules apply; you’ll still do GCSEs in the Summer Term and ﬁnish Year 11, but you must then remain in education or training for two years, until you turn 18. If you’ve applied to study A-Levels, then you won’t notice as they take 2 years to complete anyway. If you’ve applied for an Apprenticeship, then once it’s completed, you’ll have to continue in something else; this could either be the next level up on the Apprenticeship, or it could be work based training in a job role you’ve found.

TRAINEESHIPS There’s a really annoying loop you can get into when looking for work. You’ll apply for a job, but you’ll be told that to get the position you need to have experience. But without working, how do you get that experience do you need? You need a job, which you can’t get because you don’t have experience. See how irritating that is? It’s a cycle that nearly everybody encounters when they start looking for work. In particular, this has become a common theme among young people applying for Apprenticeships. Apprenticeships have always been seen as the best way for people to gain experience and training while earning money. The problem now is that young people aren’t getting Apprenticeships because employers have deemed them ‘unsuitable’. The solution; the traineeship! A traineeship is part of the same family that the Apprenticeship scheme is in. Think of a traineeship as a practice Apprenticeship; there’s no qualiﬁcation at the end of it (unless you undertook an English or maths course during your traineeship), but that aside, you’ll often undertake everything you’ll encounter in a full Apprenticeship programme.

WHO THEY’RE FOR

Anybody between the ages of 16-24 (from August 2013) can undertake a traineeship; the program is available to young people with learning disabilities up to the age of 25. Traineeships are aimed at young people who aren’t in a job and have little work experience, but have a strong desire to find employment. It suits those who are between the ages of 16 and 19 and are qualified below Level 3, or those between 19 and 24 who have not achieved a Level 2 qualification. If you’re already in work then there’s no need to worry about it at the moment, but if for whatever reason you find yourself out of a job, a traineeship could help you get back out there!

www.careersworld.co.uk

WHAT YOU’LL GET OUT OF IT

Traineeships are designed, ﬁrst and foremost, to prepare young people for work. Therefore, the focus is on building up the traits employers look for in people. This could be something as simple as practising for interviews or learning what to wear, right up to having solid maths and English skills. Skills training is an important part of a traineeship, as employers value good numerical and literary skills. If you already have a GCSE A*-C in those subjects, then it’s not something you’ll have to worry about. If you don’t, then the traineeship can help build up your qualiﬁcations to a level that you require. This level can be entry, Level 1 or Level 2; whatever suits your needs. The core of the traineeship will be a high quality work placement. This will be at a workplace of your choice, therefore helping

FINAL THOUGHTS...

The aim of this is to ensure that the next generation of young people have the skills necessary to compete in today’s job market. By undertaking compulsory education, skills can be built up to a point where a young person feels confident when looking for work. It’s all about benefitting you. You might not realise these benefits straight away, but when it comes to applying for work, you’ll have an advantage if you’ve already had a job! Don’t think of it as having to spend 1 or 2 extra years in school, that’s a myth that’s completely wrong. The options you choose open up many gateways to your career, something which you and you alone will choose.

with the ‘lack of experience’ factor of job applications. Your work placement will be created to suit your needs and will last from anywhere between six weeks and ﬁve months. Employers will design a programme that gives you the best possible preparation for working in the job role full time. There’s even a chance that the company you do your placement at will offer you an Apprenticeship scheme!

GETTING ONTO A TRAINEESHIP SCHEME

You can apply for a traineeship by getting in contact with your local learning provider. It’s a very popular scheme, so be prepared to wait a little while to get a place. You can also call the National Apprenticeship Service on 08000 150 600; you’ll be put through to a friendly person who’ll take your details and help get you onto the scheme.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Ready for this? Nothing. It will cost you absolutely nothing. This scheme is aimed at those who might have trouble paying for other qualiﬁcations they might need to get into work, so it’d be a bit pointless charging people for it!

FINISHING THE COURSE

FINAL THOUGHTS...

Your traineeship will be over when one of Traineeships have been brought in to shore three things happens: up a gap that has long needed filling. The age old ‘experience’ problem will become • You move into employment, a thing of the past. The traineeship scheme an apprenticeship or further has just started in the last few months and education/training has already received a huge number of • You’ve completed all the aspects applications. Don’t worry though; they can of the course, including the work be undertaken at any time of year, so if you placement ring up and get put on a waiting list then be • You’ve been in the programme for patient. You won’t be waiting long and it’ll more than six months really be worth it in the end, especially if the end result is a job or Apprenticeship. If it’s because of the first one, then congratulations! If it’s one of the others, then don’t worry. While you’re working, your local learning provider will be working with employers to organise an Apprenticeship for you to start. You’ll also be provided with support if there are any qualifications you need to complete to find work. At the end of the traineeship, you’ll receive certificates for any qualifications you took while on the course, such as maths and English awards. You’ll also receive a reference from your employer, highlighting your strengths and experiences. You can use this reference as part of your C.V. when applying for jobs and coupled with your experience, will give your application hopes a real boost!

www.careersworld.co.uk

Where are you heading? We can help you… The National Careers Service offers millions of young people and adults the chance to develop their potential. We also support the experts who are there to help you. If you live in England and are aged 13 or older, then you can use our service. What’s more, it’s free. We can offer you plenty of information, advice and support to help you decide what’s best for your future development and help you make the most of your skills. Whether you’re interested in an Apprenticeship, taking a university degree or simply volunteering, we’re here to help you take that next step.

To find out more, search online for National Careers Service or call 0800 100 900

Section Heading

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 WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE AND BENEFITS CAN YOU OFFER POTENTIAL APPLICANTS?

We help our clients create the value they want, from public and private companies, to governments and charities. We help to measure, protect and enhance the things that matter most to them. Web: www.pwc.com/uk/employability

Join PwC and you’ll have the opportunity to be part of the world’s leading professional services network and enjoy the benefits that come with that. You’ll get to work with big name clients where you’ll get to grips with the value they’re looking for by getting into the detail. We’ll provide an environment where you’ll be able to explore new opportunities, to help you grow and find your niche. And we’ll also give you access to the best learning and development around. Everyone enjoys a structured career programme, including study towards a professional qualification.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN APPLICANT?

Your intellect, willingness to learn, ability to build relationships, put yourself in others’ shoes, while always making a positive impact with our clients and each other. For most of our programmes we take any degree subject

www.careersworld.co.uk

WHAT WOULD THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOUR APPLICANTS?

No matter which area of the business you choose to join, all routes offer the same deal. The opportunity to grow as an individual, to meet new people, and build lasting relationships that will stay with you for life. Your hard work will be rewarded with a competitive salary and a personally tailored beneﬁts package.

IF YOU HAVE ONE TIP, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

You might not know it, but there’s a good chance you’re already developing the skills we’re looking for. To support you, we’ve developed an employability guide, to help you identify situations where you might be building them. Visit www.pwc. com/uk/employability for tips on how you can draw on these areas. What’s important is that you reﬂect on your experiences and use well thought-out examples, both in your online application and when we meet you.

De Montfort University (DMU) is committed to giving its students an education that will propel them into successful careers, while equipping them with vital life skills.

WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE AND BENEFITS CAN YOU OFFER POTENTIAL APPLICANTS?

You will gain a deep insight into and understanding of your chosen subject area, plus an internationally recognised qualiﬁcation that will enable you to start working towards a successful career. At DMU we focus huge amounts of effort ensuring our graduates go onto fantastic jobs – we offer placement years with many of our degree courses and have industry links with leading UK and international employers such as Deloitte, Hewlett Packard and the BBC.

Web: www.dmu.ac.uk

WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE AND BENEFITS CAN YOU OFFER POTENTIAL APPLICANTS?

At Future Un-Ltd we’re all about two things - understanding our apprentices and understanding our employers. So while offering all of the usual beneﬁts of an apprenticeship, we think that one of the most important factors is getting to know you as an individual. Future Un-Ltd will only put you forward for a job that we know is right and will allow you to gain all of the necessary skills and experience in an environment that you enjoy.

Simon Bozzoli is the Managing Director and Founder of Future UnLtd, a small apprenticeship provider that prides itself on ﬁnding talented young people and helping them into great apprenticeship jobs. Web: www.future-unlimited.co.uk Tel: 020 8432 0773

WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE AND BENEFITS CAN YOU OFFER POTENTIAL APPLICANTS?

CNWL provides extensive careers advice and course information. Learners can drop in for a consultation with one of our trained specialists, or make a telephone appointment to talk through options.

The College of North West London (CNWL), based in Wembley and Willesden, teaches thousands of school leavers and adults each year, and is one of London’s largest Apprenticeship trainers.

If our applicants do not have recent qualiﬁcations, we provide a free initial assessment which helps ensure all students get on courses at the right level and identiﬁes the study skills and support needed.

Web: www.cnwl.ac.uk

www.careersworld.co.uk

The University Let’s not forget that the student lifestyle is key in making the experience memorable. You gain independence, meet lots of new people and live somewhere new (if you choose to). With this in mind, DMU has fantastic facilities, night life, a new £8 million leisure centre, societies and clubs that truly enhance university life.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN APPLICANT?

All applicants need a combination of academic qualiﬁcations and relevant experience (which always looks positive on an application) to get onto their chosen degree course. The personal statement is a really important part of the process and

demonstrates your ability to ‘sell’ yourself working, as well as excellent interpersonal – we are looking for enthusiasm and a real skills which are all invaluable in helping you passion for and dedication to the chosen ﬁnd your perfect job. subject.

WHAT WOULD THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOUR APPLICANTS?

DMU graduates have gone on to work in a number of careers for employers such as Barclays and Warner Bros, have created stunning digital visualisations for NASA of the latest space discoveries and research, and set trends by designing clothes for Lady Gaga. All graduates show that they are capable of studying at a higher level; you will also develop many ‘transferrable’ skills such as project management and team

IF YOU HAVE ONE TIP, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

University offers fantastic opportunities that are hard to come by at any other time of life – make the most of it! You’ll meet academic experts, advance your skill set, complete placement years and start networking. You can also join lots of clubs and societies, committees and community projects and make lifelong friends.

The Training Provider WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN APPLICANT?

A warm smile, a ﬁrm handshake and a good sense of humour is a must. Of course your CV and application are also important to get you through to the interview stage, but to the team here at Future Un-Ltd the single most important skill is coming across well in person. So what we look for is conﬁdence, excellent presentation, good communication skills and a little bit of the x-factor!

WHAT WOULD THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOUR APPLICANTS?

Apprenticeships with Future Un-Ltd are generally by design. We help young people into junior ofﬁce positions so that they are able to ﬁnd out more about the world of work and make decisions about their own professional direction. If you are lucky enough to become a Future Un-Ltd apprentice, then we think your future will hold whatever you want it to. That’s why our ethos is ‘Your Future is Your Business’.

IF YOU HAVE ONE TIP, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Make sure that the ﬁrst thing an employer sees is something eye-catching. If it’s an application, it will need to be well put together and perfectly worded. If it’s a CV, it needs to look good and contain relevant information. First impressions are crucial! And if it’s you, make sure you’re smartly dressed, engaging and acting like you’re going to be the best thing that’s happened to a company in its history!

The College Applicants for all courses are also offered WHAT WOULD THE FUTURE HOLD FOR the opportunity to come in to an interview YOUR APPLICANTS? or open day where they can talk to tutors, ﬁnd out in detail what the course involves, Most of our subject areas are offered at ask their own questions and see learning levels from basic to advanced, enabling you to progress in your chosen subject. Many facilities. of our Level 3 students go on to university, while students of all levels leave us with WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN enhanced skills and a CV that improves their future opportunities. APPLICANT? CNWL will ﬁnd a place on a course for any learner with the motivation and ambition to succeed. The most important qualities in applicants are enthusiasm for their chosen subjects and a commitment to working hard to achieve their goals; both inside and outside the classroom.

www.careersworld.co.uk

IF YOU HAVE ONE TIP, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Show passion for your subject. Have a clear idea why you want to study it, and be prepared to tell your tutor what makes you stand out. Do some research into job opportunities and successful businesses that utilise the skills you want to learn.

Carshalton College THE BEST COLLEGE IN LONDON & SURREY, AGAIN.

Come to an Open Event Wednesday 16 October 2013 - 4.30pm – 7.30pm Saturday 16 November 2013 - 9.30am – 1.00pm Wednesday 8 January 2014 - 4.30pm – 7.00pm Wednesday 5 March 2014 - 4.30pm – 7.00pm

CARSHALTON.AC.uk

You want to be inspired Working alongside subject experts on projects for some of the most exciting organisations in the UK, making a real difference?

You want be part of the Capgemini IT Apprentice Programme.

*Long course success rates 2010/11 & 2011/12. Source: The Data Service

Capgemini’s apprentice programmes are accelerated learning positions that allow you to pursue your career and education ambitions at the same time. As an apprentice, you have a permanent, salaried role where you can develop your IT skills working on client projects under expert guidance. Along with career experience, you can earn industry-recognised qualifications: a sponsored degree through the Higher Apprentice Programme or a Level 3 ICT qualification on the Advanced Apprentice Programme Higher Apprentice

Find out more and apply now at www.uk.capgemini.com/you

Full Time Part Time Apprenticeships Higher Education Skills for Work & Life

Young Apprentices celebrate their success with Lee McQueen (front left), winner of The Apprentice.

Hillingdon Training - helping young people get ahead Hillingdon Training Limited (HTL), established in 2003, matches over 150 young people with an employer every year. Peter Sale, Director of HTL, comments: “The beauty of an apprenticeship programme is that at the end of it, the apprentice will have qualifications as well as industrial experience. I think it is a very valuable alternative to other education routes and offers a distinct advantage when it comes to seeking employment in today’s challenging job market.” Rachel Snooks, 16, from Eastcote, is a Business & Administration apprentice at HTL. For her, an apprenticeship programme was a clear choice after leaving school. Rachel comments: “I didn’t really feel like going to college after secondary school, so I went to my careers adviser who suggested an apprenticeship. I’m a really handson type of person and I enjoy working more than studying. I think apprenticeships suit people who want to be out there in the working world.” Simon Rudd, 18, from Hayes, is doing a Children’s Care apprenticeship. He said: “I’ve always wanted to work with children. I first started an art course at college, but it wasn’t for me. I got this apprenticeship through HTL and absolutely love it.” HTL offers apprenticeships in Business & Administration, Children’s Care, Customer Service, Health & Social Care, IT and Supporting Teaching & Learning, as well as a Foundation Learning programme to help those thinking about a job and preparing for an apprenticeship.

Staying on until you are 18 doesn’t mean more school If you are looking to build a career in landscaping or want to branch out into tree surgery Capel Manor College is just the place for you. Offering a range of full and part-time day and evening courses, apprenticeships and professional short courses; and with five centres across Greater London, they are within reach of anyone with a passion for the great outdoors. The college is a unique alternative to staying on at school at 16. The full-time courses and apprenticeships, equivalent to A levels and GCSEs, combine practical and academic studies and lead to nationally recognised qualifications, higher education and employment. Subjects offered include: gardening, landscape construction, environmental studies, garden design, arboriculture and floristry to name just a few. On receiving ten GCSEs, Seth Ratcliffe decided to stay on at school and continue on a more academic path but soon realised it wasn’t for him. With his parents support he decided to leave school and pursue an outdoors career. Seth has successfully completed the Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture and gained a position as a trainee at the prestigious Tresco Abbey Garden in West Cornwall. “Once I had decided what I wanted to do, I new I had to study at the best horticulture college - Capel Manor is an amazing place to learn. Being an outdoors person, working in an office was never going to be my thing. I have loved every minute of my course, it hasn’t been easy but my tutors have been encouraging and supportive. There is always something new to learn in horticulture, with new species being discovered and new techniques being invented; I love the fact that learning is never ending. Having come into the college a novice I now have the confidence to enter the world of employment.”

Web: www.hillingdontraining.co.uk Tel: 01895 671 976

Web: www.capel.ac.uk Tel: 08456 122 122

www.careersworld.co.uk

Uxbridge College - the number 1 college in West London

Jordan Allcock, Higher Apprentice “University wasn’t for me - this is so much better”

Uxbridge College has the highest success rates in West London and is one of the most successful further education colleges in the country. Ofsted judged us to be outstanding and we have been awarded Beacon status, which recognises consistent high quality and successful teaching, supported by strong and effective leadership and management.

What’s it really like to be a Capgemini apprentice?

A great choice of courses: At Uxbridge College we have the right resources and support to help our students succeed. We offer a wide range of courses from GCSEs and A Levels, to vocational courses that focus on specific industries, HE qualifications and apprenticeships. Our courses are designed to help students progress into a career, university or just develop their skills further.

In a typical day, I get asked to fix technical problems for 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.

Keeping our facilities fantastic! We continue to invest in our campuses at Uxbridge and Hayes to provide our students with the best facilities. In the last few years we have invested over £55m to offer spacious, comfortable classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboard and relaxing social spaces, a new IT & Media block, Sports Hall and fitness suite. We also have industry-standard facilities including specialist studios, laboratories, workshops, kitchens and salons providing excellent working environments for students to learn practical skills. In September we are opening a new, larger refectory plus additional engineering workshops and classrooms. For more information: If you are not sure what you want to do and would some free advice, just get in touch.

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.

Higher Apprentices are well supervised at Capgemini we have regular catch-up meetings to discuss progress and to set targets - and there’s always someone to ask if I have a problem I can’t fix myself. Teamworking 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. If you think an apprenticeship is for you, find out more or apply by visiting our website.

Web: www.uk.capgemini.com/careers Web: www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk/enrol Tel: 01895 85 33 33 Twitter: @uxbridgecollege Facebook: uxbridgecollege

www.careersworld.co.uk

Join the best college in London & Surrey*

Croydon College

Carshalton College, the Best College in London & Surrey*, offers excellent facilities and the chance to learn in a welcoming & vibrant environment.

Croydon College is one of London’s largest further education institutions and provides an extensive range of courses to its cohort of over 8,000 students. Situated in the heart of Croydon, a thriving multicultural town which is one of Britain’s largest commercial centres, the College (including University Centre Croydon and Croydon School of Art) is well connected with great transport links which are second to none.

Thierno Diallo initially enrolled on Entry 3 IT Skills and has gone on to complete the Level 2 Diploma in IT plus the Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT. He has now enrolled at University to continue his IT studies. He was awarded the prestigious Best Learner Award at the House of Lords in May 2013.

Croydon College offers further education courses across a variety of sectors, including:

“I have really enjoyed studying at Carshalton College. You get a lot of freedom for self-study and using computer facilities which has really made the difference, as the more effort I put in, the more experience I gain. The friendly staff have helped and supported me to achieve the qualifications that I needed to progress in to University.” Thierno brings an energetic and determined style of learning to the classroom. He takes delight in discovering new facts and industry trends in computing and has a deeply enquiring mind. He has excelled at Carshalton College through both his own love of learning, and for his role he has undertaken as a classroom representative and a student ambassador. In both these roles Thierno is reliable, professional and always enthusiastic. IT Tutor, Kevin Burgess says: “Thierno has an easy going and cheerful outlook and uses this disposition to great advantage, even in the most difficult projects; he can be relied upon to shine.”

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Business Construction Engineering ESOL Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Health, Social Care, Childhood and Community Studies Hospitality and Catering Information Technology Motor Vehicle Public Services Science Skills for Life Travel and Tourism Visual and Performing Arts and Media

The College also has a substantial work-based provision which includes Apprenticeships and NVQs.

*Long course success rates 2010/11 & 2011/12. Source: The Data Service University Centre Croydon offers a wide range of high quality, higher education degrees and diplomas in Art, Design and Media, Building Services Engineering, Business, Criminology, Early Childhood and Public Health and Social Care, Human Resources and Law. The majority are validated by the University of Sussex meaning students graduate with a degree/diploma from a top university.

Web: www.carshalton.ac.uk

Croydon School of Art has a long tradition of providing an excellent education across a wide range of creative disciplines, in both further education and higher education. It has been home to an impressive number of alumni including the internationally renowned designer, John Rocha and continues to inspire a wealth of talented artists and designers against the backdrop of the ever-changing landscape of Croydon. Web: www.croydon.ac.uk Tel: 020 8760 5914 Email: info@croydon.ac.uk

www.careersworld.co.uk

HOw FAR DO yOU wANT TO gO IN BUSINESS? THE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT. NO ONE’S BETTER QUALIFIED. london, shanghai, new york, singapore? icAew chartered Accountants have the work experience, financial intelligence and skills the business world demands.

Become ‘chartered’ and start your journey, visit icaew.com/betterqualified

A world leAder of the AccountAncy And finAnce profession

Finance & Law

Making money; you’ve got to love it. But do you know how that money is made? Why some companies make more than others? Perhaps you want to defend somebody in court or play the other side and send somebody down? This sector will show you how you can get a career started doing just that.

WHAT’S THE FINANCE AND LAW SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

even find yourself working from home! In the Legal sector, you might be in an office sorting case notes, or in the court room Finance is all about cash. How where the action is! it’s made, who’s making it, who isn’t making enough and why. If HOW DOES THIS SECTOR a company isn’t making a profit, COMPARE TO OTHERS how can you improve their situation? On a smaller scale, ACROSS THE COUNTRY? it’s about paying people their This sector employs 1 million+ wages, working out expenses people in the UK and takes and giving out financial advice on more than 70,000 new to people. Law is pretty much starters a year. It’s also one as it says; it covers our legal of the highest paying; a fully system, from legal secretaries qualified accountant could earn and lawyers right the way up to in excess of £50,000 a year! In the judges that deliver verdicts. the Law sector, 250,000 people make up the work force, of WHAT KIND OF SALARY which almost half is made up of lawyers!

CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

With regards to law, the starting salaries are quite high; usually between £14,000 and £17,000, Finance will be a bit lower to start with, between £10,500 and £13,000, but progression can be fairly quick and people in the finance sector usually earn high bonuses on top of their basic pay, which is over £30,000 when you become fully qualified in your field.

WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

In the Finance sector, you’ll probably be based in an office environment when you first start out. As you progress, you’ll find the building around you gets bigger and posher. If you give financial advice, you might

WHERE IS THE WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

You will generally ﬁnd both sectors are based in the big cities. You might see a few private law ﬁrms in smaller villages and towns, but the bigger companies prefer to be based in the main UK cities, such as London, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham. As Finance also covers banking, it’s worth pointing out that banks usually have branches in smaller places to accommodate the town population.

Alex, Audit Trainee BDO LLP, Reading “Leaving school I was faced with a number of opportunities, from travel, through to university life and the working world. I decided to apply for a Higher Apprenticeship programme as it allowed me to embark on career in business, and gain practical experience whilst studying for highly recognised qualifications such as the ACA. I couldn’t be happier with the route that I have chosen, especially when I think about the debt I could have accumulated at university! I had never really thought of becoming a chartered accountant before, but after doing some work experience, I found that I really enjoyed the nature of accountancy and it was well suited to my skill set. My favourite part of the job is definitely the variety! In audit, no two days are the same. Working with such a broad range of clients means that you are faced with a different challenge every day. An audit can raise a number of issues, but for me, problem solving is actually part of the fun and I enjoy developing creative strategies to prevent certain things from happening again. Being able to put what I learn in the classroom into practice has really helped me to develop professionally.”

Web: icaew.com/careers Facebook: ICAEWStartingpoint

www.careersworld.co.uk

Careers Choices Finance and Law is a very important sector; it runs the numbers and makes the rules that we live by. From working out tax deductions for a company to passing sentence on a criminal, Finance and Law is a truly diverse area to be in. It covers a lot of different job roles, so we couldn’t possibly list them all! Here are all the main ones for your enjoyment…

ACCOUNTANCY

Accountancy is all about crunching numbers and keeping track of both companies and individual people’s ﬁnances. Every company has an accountant, no matter what trade it’s in and you might be tasked with anything from proﬁt forecasts (how much money the company is expected to make) to calculating how much tax is owed to the government (how much money the company is expected to pay in tax. Obviously.)

FINANCIAL ADVICE

Everybody needs ﬁnancial advice at some point; whether it’s getting a mortgage for a new house, making a big purchase (a new car or big holiday) or planning for a baby, people need to know how to manage the funds they have to get the most out of their money. You’ll be giving out advice to a whole host of clients, from individuals and families to multi-national corporations.

LEGAL ADMINISTRATION

A court of law isn’t just a judge, council and jury; there are lots of people working behind the scenes to make sure the legal process is as smooth as possible. You could be arranging evidence for a case, making sure reports and studies are all in order and even taking notes in the court room on a hearing.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

Salaries in the Finance sector vary depending on how qualified you are. Starting salaries are usually between £10,500 and £13,000, but in some sectors, such as banking, you receive yearly bonuses which increase as your salary goes up. Legal salaries tend to start a bit higher, somewhere around the £14,500 mark and then tend to go up based on your role and qualification. The average fully qualified legal administrator earns around £27,000.

BANKING

Banking is a broad term for everything to do with personal and corporate ﬁnances. It’s a huge sector that comprises 3 different sectors; Commercial Banking (local banks such as HSBC, Lloyds and Natwest), Corporate Banking (for businesses) and wholesale banking (for the government and other international banks). You’ll be tasked with managing money, approving loans, exchanging foreign money and paying in/ cashing cheques.

www.careersworld.co.uk

MANAGERIAL ROLES ACCOUNT FOR

37%

OF THE WORKFORCE

47%

OF UK FIRMS EMPLOY 250 PEOPLE OR LESS

THE LEGAL SECTOR DEALS WITH OVER

500,000 CASES PER YEAR

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

There are a few Apprenticeships you can undertake to get you into this sector. Apprenticeships count as a Level 2 qualiﬁcation and you it will take the form of an NVQ, Diploma or BTEC. Accounting • Payroll • Marketing and Communications • Providing Financial 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. Accounting • Advising on Financial Products • Payroll • Providing Financial Services • Legal Services

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.

EMPLOYER FUNDED STUDY

If you don’t fancy going to uni but still want to be an accountant, you can train through organisations such as ICAEW and PwC. KMPG are ideal for school leavers and offer a 6 year course which will result in an internationally recognised award instead of an honours degree.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

You can also undertake short courses to boost your credentials and specialise in a certain area of the Finance and Law sector. For example, to work in investment banking you could gain a CISI Introduction to Investment award.

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: Maths • Economics • Business Studies • Law • Accounting • Statistics

www.careersworld.co.uk

REGIONAL FOCUS As you’d expect from our nation’s capital, there are plenty of finance and law opportunities in your area. It will come as no surprise to you that 1 in 3 people working in the financial sector are based in London, with over 500 national and international banks having offices here! London is recognised as one of the most important financial hubs in the world, and at one point, traded more US dollars in our capital than in New York and more Euros than every city in Europe combined! In terms of the legal sector, there are over 5,400 people working in legal sector job roles in the region, with 38 working magistrate’s courts.

There are courses available to become either a Navigating (Deck) Oﬃcer or an Engineering/Electro- Technical Oﬃcer The course is fully integrated to include shore based college/university study and plenty of practical training at sea and is fully sponsored by a company or training organisation. There are courses to suit all entry levels from GCSE/Standard Grades to A Levels/Highers leading to HNC or HND and Degree qualiications.

Email: enquiry@careersatsea.org Visit: careersatsea.org careersatsea.org/roles/oﬃcers.php

Transport & Logistics Imagine sending a letter to the USA; what happens after you pop it in the post box? That letter could travel by rail, sea, road or air – or all of them! Transport and logistics is all about the movement of goods and people from one place to another. The man who delivers your mail in the morning isn’t just a postman, he’s a logistics technician. His work involves planning, organising, troubleshooting, communicating and management. Whether it’s somebody’s order from eBay, a freighter full of oil or a plane full of passengers, the process of transporting goods and people is much more complex than what we see as customers.

WHAT’S THE TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

With more transactions taking place online, retailers are relying more on logistics companies to deliver the products to the customers, instead of the customer having to come and collect it (in fact, we can buy just about everything we need without leaving our homes! However, the process of delivering that product involves packaging, storing, sorting, loading, transport, unloading, ﬁling, recording and a whole host of jobs that you wouldn’t even think of!

WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

There’s a large range of salaries in this sector; you can progress quickly if you can move into a management or supervisory role. A starting salary is usually between £10,000 and £17,500, but you’ll ﬁnd progression just as easy in smaller companies as you would in larger, better known ones, such as Network Rail or Royal Mail.

WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

Because this industry involves transporting goods and people, you could be in a variety of different locations. The ﬁrst thing to consider is how the transportation is going to take place; it could be by road, rail, sea or air. Storage, packaging and sorting takes place in a warehouse, which could be at a business park if the delivery is by road, a port if it’s by the sea or an airport/airstrip if it’s by air. If you’re working as part of a

passenger transport company, you could ﬁnd yourself working on a train, plane or even a ferry to different countries!

HOW DOES THIS SECTOR COMPARE TO OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

The logistics sector currently employs over 2.3 million people across the UK, contributing £96 billion to our economy. This makes it the 5th largest sector in the UK. Because logistics is relied so heavily upon by other sectors, there’s an ever increasing demand for skilled workers – by 2020 900,000 new starters will be needed.

WHERE IS THE WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

Again, this depends on which part of the industry you work in. Transport by air will probably see you based at a major airport, many of which are found in the London area. Marine based logistics will see you based at a port, such as Southampton, Portsmouth, Liverpool or Dover. Land based logistics companies are scattered across the country, but you’ll tend to ﬁnd them closer to major motorways such as the M1 and the M25 because it’s quicker to get the goods out across the country. Many logistics companies are international, so there’s a range of opportunities and travel to work abroad.

Kat Horsley, Operations Director, Easy as HGV 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. “I started off here licking envelopes and look where I am today four years later!” 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. 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!” Delivering your future: The deﬁnitive guide to careers in logistics. www.deliveringyourfuture.co.uk

The Logistics Guild: Work placements for military leavers. www.logisticsguild.net

Logistics Skills Calculator: Find out what YOU could earn. www.skillscalculator.org

Professional Development Stairway: Plot your way up the logistics career ladder. www.thestairway.org

Made in China: Test your enterprise and Maths skills! www.madeinchinaresources. co.uk

www.careersworld.co.uk

Careers Choices It’s probably fair to say that logistics is one of the most important sectors in the country; without it business couldn’t get their products out to their customers, clients couldn’t travel to important meetings and the country as a whole wouldn’t function. The 2012 London Olympics was one of the biggest logistics operations the UK has ever seen; 17,800 athletes from 205 countries competed, with more than 590,000 people coming to the UK to cheer them on! Everything from rail networks and delivery companies to commercial airlines are covered in this sector, so if you want to a career that’s going places, look no further!

RAIL SERVICES & OPERATIONS

Rail Services covers passenger and freight transport, as well as the maintenance of the tracks they run on. Trains can carry any number of things, from people to plutonium and running the network so that the two don’t collide is a difﬁcult task. You could be working on the trains themselves, or repairing the tracks and signals that they rely on. Starters in this line of work can expect to start out on around £13,000 for passenger rail services, while you can expect to start on between £10,000 and £14,000 in rail freight job roles. With advancement in both industries you could be on double that in no time.

GOODS TRANSPORTATION

We’ve all seen lorries on the motorway, probably without giving much thought as to what they’re carrying. Drivers travel all over the country delivering loads and carrying products from one area to another and if you’re a fan of travelling you’ll really get a kick out of this career. You could also find yourself behind the wheel of a van, or delivering by bike or motorcycle. If you’re in a truck, there’s also a strong possibility that you’ll have to drive to somewhere in Europe, such as Holland, Belgium and France, as the UK relies on international logistics to import its goods from elsewhere. You can expect to earn around £11,000 when starting out, but the salary for a fully qualified HGV tanker driver PASSENGER SERVICES We probably take public transport for is £35,000. granted, but without it millions wouldn’t be able to get around. Driving buses MAIL SERVICES and coaches isn’t easy; it takes plenty of This isn’t just being a postman (sorry, training to be able to manoeuvre a vehicle logistics technician). While the delivery of that size. It’s certainly a job that gets you of products is an important part of this satisfaction and it you’re a people person, industry, it’s not the only part. Mail has to be then you’ll really enjoy it! Starting salaries sorted, processed, and security checked are usually around the £13,000 mark, but before it is delivered and there are job roles overtime or extra shifts will give you more. from the sorting floor to right up to your front door (see what I did there?)! Salaries usually start out between £10,000 and WAREHOUSE & STORAGE When you order something off the internet, £15,000, but jobs in the sorting office tend chances are it’s coming from a warehouse to offer a little bit more (around £14,000 to somewhere in the world. Warehouses £15,500) and have better prospects for are used to store goods before they are advancements. shipped out to customers. They’re found all over the place, but mostly near areas that have access to various forms of transport, such as ports, motorways and airports. The staff in warehouses require training to use machinery, such as forklifts, and there are also admin and management roles available. Starting salaries are usually around £10,000 to £14,000 for floor staff, but with training and experience can expect to earn well over £20,000.

www.careersworld.co.uk

AIR FREIGHT & TRANSPORT

Everybody always thinks of pilots when they think of airlines, but cabin crews are just one cog in the smoothly oiled machine that is an airline company. Ground support staff, baggage handlers, air traffic controllers and customer service staff all work in unison to make sure passengers (and their luggage!) get to their destination on time safely. Moving freight by air is also a huge part of logistics, especially for high value goods such as fine art, machinery or even animals! Salaries start out between £10,000 and £15,000, rising to between £15,000 and £24,000 when you’re fully qualified.

SEA FREIGHT & TRANSPORT

As well as air, road and rail, goods can be moved by sea, both across the UK and around the world. People working in these industries will work closely with port authorities to make sure the valuable loads keep moving and arrive on time. You could work as a crane operator moving heavy containers or as a port operative helping with the movement of passengers and cargo. Salaries start at around £12,000, but experienced operatives can earn in excess of £20,000 a year.

REMOVALS & MOVING HOUSE

When the time comes to make a big move, you’ll be hard pressed to get everything in the back of a Ford Fiesta. This is why we have the removals service, who load up our possessions carefully and transport them to a new location. Salaries usually start out around the £12,000 mark, but increases with experience.

OVER 90,000 WORK IN THE COURIER INDUSTRY (5% OF THE UK LOGISTICS WORKFORCE)

5,600

STORAGE & WAREHOUSING WORKPLACES IN THE UK

41%

OF THE WORKFORCE IS UNDER 35 YRS OLD

Where to begin Fancy a career in this sector? 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, your time will be split between doing the job and 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: International Trade and Logistics Operations • Warehousing and Storage • Logistics Operations • Rail Services • Rail Engineering (Track) • Rail Infrastructure Engineering • Driving Goods Vehicles • Bus and Coach Engineering and Maintenance • Commercial Moving • Mail and Package Distribution • Port Operations • Traffic Office

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 • IT • Geography • Business Studies • Foreign Languages • Chemistry • Physics • Technology

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. There are some very specialized degrees available, such as Air ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPS These are equivalent to A-Levels and can Transport Management. usually be joined after you complete the associated Intermediate Apprenticeship. COLLEGE COURSES Advanced Apprenticeships are perfect for A College course is another good way to those who want a practical role as they get into the Transport and Logistics sector. learn while gaining relevant employment To find out more about these courses, have experience. People with Advanced a look at www.careersworld.co.uk. 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. Warehousing and Storage • Logistics Operations • Rail Services • Driving Goods Vehicles • Bus and Coach Engineering and Maintenance • Rail Traction and Rolling Stock • Purchasing and Supply Management www.careersworld.co.uk

REGIONAL FOCUS As the nation’s capital, we are the nerve centre for all importing and exporting of goods! Of course, transport isn’t just about delivering objects, there’s also people trying to get in and out of London by rail, road and air! We of course have Heathrow, the UK’s largest airport, but also a great tube system for getting around the city and a rail network that can get you to anywhere in the UK in a matter of hours! Over 234,000 people work in logistics roles in London, across 27,100 workplaces.

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

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

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

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

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

How do I g adult soc et into ial care?

One of th e into the s best ways to ge t an Appre ector is through nticeship . Earn whil e you lea rn. Gain qua lifications . Become a confide n and skille d worker. t

For more information about adult social care Apprenticeships:

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

Travel & Hospitality Imagine waking up in London, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Sydney all in the same week. No, it’s not a TV show, it’s a career in Travel. If you like to keep your feet on the ground and enjoy working face to face with new people every day, then perhaps Hospitality is for you. Let’s have a closer look…

WHAT KINDS OF CAREERS ARE AVAILABLE IN THIS SECTOR?

It’s all down to what you enjoy doing most; if travel is your thing, then you will ﬁnd work on cruise liners, ferries, trains and airline companies all over the world. If you prefer the home comforts, then you can work in the hospitality sector in a bar, restaurant, hotel, café or even festivals and events. Over 200,000 people from this sector worked at the 2012 Olympics, highlighting the importance of Hospitality in the UK.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY SECTOR?

You can expect a varied, busy day in this sector; the majority of jobs in Travel and Hospitality involve being face to face with new people every day so customer service is very important. Of course, good hospitality brings tips, which means money in your pocket on top of your salary!

WHAT KIND OF MONEY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

In the Travel sector, salaries vary slightly depending on the company you work for; the major airlines and travel agents obviously offer more but there is more competition for jobs. The average starting salary is around £11,000 for travel agents and £14,000 for cabin crew. In the hospitality sector, a low basic salary is boosted by the tips factor; the starting salary is usually between £10,000 and £11,000 depending on your area of work.

WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

Again this varies on which sector you choose. Travel kind of speaks for itself; it’s for those who enjoy living out a suitcase and travelling the world. Travel agents tend to spend their time in an ofﬁce helping customers, but do sometimes get out and about. Hospitality is divided into front and back of house; the front of house are your receptionists, bar and waiting staff, porters and supervisors, while back of house staff work in the kitchens and look after the hotel via cleaning, gardening and maintenance.

IS THIS A POPULAR SECTOR TO WORK IN?

Almost certainly. 9% of the UK workforce makes up this sector and it tends to be a bit more laid back because of the customer service aspect. Hospitality also one for the young people; more than half the workers in this sector are between the ages of 16-28 and more than half of them work part time, combining work with their education and other interests. Travel is also popular, as everybody wants to go on holiday for a living! This whole sector is the ﬁfth biggest contributor to the UK workforce.

Young chefs triumph at national catering competition West Thames College catering students won a record-breaking 14 medals at the 2013 Wessex Salon Culinaire competition, held in Brockenhurst, Hampshire. The annual competition, held in association with the Craft Guild of Chefs, is one of the largest live culinary skills competitions in the UK. This year’s contest received over 700 entries from both professional and trainee chefs. This is the fourth year running that students from West Thames College, based in west London, have entered the competition, and it was their most successful to date - they walked away with an impressive haul of medals: one Gold and Best in Class, one Silver and Best in Class, three Silver, two Bronze and five Merits - a record for the college! The budding professional chefs then went on to receive the college’s Professional Team of the Year Award 2013. Chris Fallon, who received a silver medal for his chicken dish, said “It was really tough because I wanted to get everything perfect, but it was a great experience. I’ve always loved cooking and I was so happy to receive a medal.”

WHERE IS WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

This particular sector is found all over the country – wherever you see a hotel, pub, restaurant, café, travel agents or airport you are looking at the Travel and Hospitality industry. You will obviously ﬁnd more work in the bigger city centres, where as airlines are based all over the world – don’t be afraid to branch out and discover new places!

Tel: 020 8326 2000 Web: www.west-thames.ac.uk

www.careersworld.co.uk

Careers Choices Everybody needs a holiday at some point. Whether it’s a far away tropical island, or a caravan in the Lake District, it’s always nice to forget about everything and put your feet up. Whilst you are on holiday, you’ll probably eat out at nice restaurants and your parents will enjoy a drink at the bar. Perhaps you ﬂew to your destination and were served food and drink on the plane by a smiling cabin crew member. All these things that you enjoy are available as careers in the Travel and Hospitality industry. It’s by no means easy; you’ll be challenged every day and will have to keep up to date with an ever changing industry. Not everybody takes to travelling or going out with a positive frame of mind (as I’m sure anybody whose sat near a baby on a plane will tell you) and complaints, questions and problems can present themselves at any time, so you will have to be prepared to adapt and troubleshoot to make sure your customers are happy. If you are a determined, focused, sociable person with great personnel skills and an eye for the creative then you won’t have trouble ﬁnding a career in this sector; have a look below at some of the roles:

TRAVEL AGENT

All holidays have to start somewhere and it would be up to you help customers choose their perfect holiday. You will have to have a good knowledge of the world and the ever changing travel industry so that you can plan and book exactly what the customer wants. The starting salary varies between £11,000 and £14,000.

CATERING

If you have a ﬂair for preparing delicious dishes and fantastic food, then this might be the career for you. The type of work you will be doing depends on where you are based; you could be in a pub, a hotel, a restaurant – anywhere you can see a menu. Jamie Oliver started out in an apprenticeship and he’s done alright for himself! You can expect to earn up to £13,000 as an apprentice, but once CABIN CREW With a uniform and a smile, you will be you qualify it can vary depending on your responsible for looking after the passengers location. travelling with you. This involves serving food and drinks, answering questions from BAR & WAITING STAFF the customers and giving advice and aid Behind every good pub, restaurant, bistro in tough situation. The perks speak for and hotel lounge you’ll ﬁnd staff working themselves, but as well as spending time in hard to produce high quality service and another country you can expect a starting products. This job is ideal for those who salary of £14,000 - £16,000. enjoy mingling and meeting new people and if you do well enough, expect good tips. This industry is ideal for young people as the average age for starters is between 15 and 18. The starting salary is quite low and does depend on your age, but the average for starters is around £10,000.

www.careersworld.co.uk

HOTELS & RESORTS

Do you ever wonder who puts the little mint on your pillow in a hotel? Or who decides which meals you eat for dinner? This line of work has a variety of roles, from Receptionists and Porters to Booking Assistants and Maintenance. Customer service is a priority here, so always make sure you have a smile on your face! Salaries vary depending on the role, but starter’s salaries range from £10,000 to £13,000.

90% OF THE INDUSTRY WORK FULL-TIME

MORE THAN

218 MILLION PEOPLE USE AIRLINES EVERY YEAR

332,700 PEOPLE WORK IN THE PUBS, BARS & NIGHTCLUBS INDUSTRY

Where to begin If you like the idea of working in this sector, read on to ﬁnd out how to get started…

APPRENTICESHIPS

This is probably the most popular route into this sector - It’s where it all began for Jamie Oliver. The government are keen to help both starters and the currently employed to up-skill to match the requirements of their job Last year, over 24,000 Level 2 starters began their apprenticeships, which at this level will result in either a BTEC, Diploma or NVQ. Here are some of the Apprenticeship Frameworks you can expect to see: Hospitality Services • Food and Beverage Service • Housekeeping • Front of House • Travel Services

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPS

This is the equivalent of an A level, but without sitting in a classroom studying. Like a regular Apprenticeship, it’s suited to more practical ﬁelds of work and you earn as you complete your study. On completion you will receive a Level 3 award in the form of a BTEC, Diploma or NVQ. Hospitality Supervision and Leadership • Hospitality Retail Outlet Supervision • Travel Services (Head Ofﬁce, Field and Leisure & Business)

A-LEVELS

A-Levels are useful if you want to go on to university or study a foundation degree. Some A-levels you could take to get into this industry are listed below. English Language • Maths • Travel and Tourism • Business Studies • IT

FOUNDATION DEGREES

A Foundation Degree gives you both an academic and hands on experience and they are a great as either a gateway to university or into the working world. Usually, Foundation Degrees take two years to complete (although they can take up to four if you do them part time) and you will ﬁnd yourself learning at both the university campus and in the workplace. You can do a Foundation Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

COLLEGE COURSES

These are another opportunity to get into this sector and you can ﬁnd out which colleges provide the relevant courses at www.careersworld.co.uk.

www.careersworld.co.uk

REGIONAL FOCUS As London attracts over 30 million visitors a year, there’s no better place in the country to work in tourism! From the towering Millennium Eye to the majestic Westminster Abbey, London is chock full of exciting tourism opportunities that require enthusiastic people to ﬁll a range of job roles! London also has plenty of bars, hotels and restaurants to keep those visitors happy; close to a quarter of a million people are employed in a variety of hospitality roles and with 15% of the UK’s nightclubs being based in our capital, there’s no better place to kick off a career in this sector!

APPLY L-Earn   

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!

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 and Defence, Metals, Chemical and Building.

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.

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 business in WHAT KIND OF SALARY manufacturing the UK, employing 2.5 million CAN I EXPECT TO EARN? people. As Ron Burgundy It’s tricky to say; because of would say, it’s kind of a big deal! the sheer size of this industry, it’s easier to talk about the job WHERE IS THE WORK roles that you find in all areas MOST CONCENTRATED? of manufacturing. Jobs on the assembly line usually start Because of the diverse nature out at around £13,000, while of this industry, it’s pretty more technical positions like much spread across the engineers and technicians country. Historically speaking, start on a higher salary, usually manufacturing tended to be around the £16,000 mark. based in the North of England; Because of the sheer size of Sheffield has a rich steel this industry, advancement manufacturing history, while to supervisory positions is major cities such as Liverpool encouraged and training is and Newcastle were famous for usually provided by employers. ship building. Of course, if you live in the south you won’t have to head north to find work; most WHAT KIND OF manufacturing sites are located ENVIRONMENT WOULD I on the outskirts of major towns and cities where there is access BE WORKING IN? Much like the construction to major transport means, such sector, it really does depend as motorways and ports. 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

The Semta Apprenticeship Service Engineering is the backbone of UK industry - it’s crucial to the economy and is both challenging and rewarding as a career path. There are countless innovative and exciting jobs for professionals in this field, allowing young people to employ their creative and analytical skills to develop products and services that improve lives. An Apprenticeship is an excellent way to start a career in engineering or manufacturing. Working in some of the UK’s most advanced engineering and manufacturing companies, alongside experienced staff makes it a great way to develop the crucial skills needed in industry and to gain nationally-recognised qualifications. The Semta Apprenticeship Service has helped many young people kick-start their careers in the sector: “I enjoy what I do, my work is very varied and I’ve got a good career path ahead of me. I’m extremely happy with my Apprenticeship and want to continue to learn and get as many skills and qualifications as I can.” - Robbie Bird, Metalform “The best thing about an Apprenticeship is that you get both practical experience and the academic side - and don’t come out with debt. You get lots of support and gain knowledge and experience from people you work with. I’ve grown so much in confidence since starting my Apprenticeship.” - Teri-Leigh Gillespie, Tata

Web: semta.org.uk/individuals

www.careersworld.co.uk

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 appear out of nowhere; bricks, pipes, grills this area demands a skilful eye; you might and glass are all made in manufacturing find yourself developing parts that can only environments. There are so many different be 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 making up 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

OVER

2.5 MILLION PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED IN THIS SECTOR

THIS SECTOR CONTRIBUTES OVER

£130 BILLION

TO THE UK ECONOMY

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

REGIONAL FOCUS Food manufacturing in London accounts for roughly 20% of the whole country’s turnover for this sector, making a whopping £12.2 billion! 31,100 people work in food manufacturing alone, while the rest of the manufacturing sector in London is mostly headquarters based. There are around 1,500 manufacturing employers in London, with 78% of these employing less than 10 people.

Your career in fashion retail starts here If you’re interested in... Fashion Retail Business

Apply online now!

Buying Merchandising Visual Display & Retail Branding Store Management Garment Construction Garment Technology Graphic Design We’ve got courses for YOU...

www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk

Why study at the FRA? Full-time, Short Courses and Apprenticeships are available at the FRA’s modern facilities in the centre of the West End. Learn in this inspirational environment and draw on the FRA’s extensive fashion industry contacts and business networks. You will gain all the skills and experience to make you “job ready” for an exciting career in the retail industry.

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!

WHAT’S THE CREATIVE, MEDIA AND ARTS SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

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.

WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

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 will have generated over £70,000. Around £1 in every £10 of our exports are in this sector, which means that other countries favour our approach to Media, Creativity and The Arts.

You’ll start off on somewhere in the region of £10,000 to £18,000 depending on what you do. Some of the newer roles, such as interactive and digital media tend to pay more because they are more WHERE IS THE WORK specialised, but nearly all the MOST CONCENTRATED? career paths available will have room for advancement and as It obviously depends on what the market continues to expand you specialise in, but generally new roles will become available. there is more work the further towards London you go. However, the BBC has recently WHAT KIND OF relocated a lot of its stuff to ENVIRONMENT WOULD I Salford (near Manchester) and there are of course independent BE WORKING IN? companies, Most media companies work publishing out of ofﬁces and studios; this newspapers and digital media isn’t anywhere near as boring companies all over the country. as it sounds as most creative It really is a case of moving to ofﬁces are bustling with ideas where the work is, but once you and tend to be more laid back become established, moving than the bigger corporations. Of won’t be an issue. 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.

Jessica Hide, 2nd year student on the National Diploma in Art & Design (Graphic Design) at the Fashion Retail Academy “Fashion has always been a large interest of mine, so when I heard through a friend and student of the FRA about the Academy I was impressed by the variety of courses they offered within a fashion retail context. The vocational emphasis and links to the fashion industry led me to apply for the BTEC in Graphic Design as an alternative to A-Levels; keeping my options open for either work or higher education. Now in my second year, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the course and at the Academy with it’s excellent resources and friendly atmosphere. Teachers offer great work support and help is always given if needed. The wide ranging course structure allowed me to develop as an independent learner and has also helped me to determine what area of design interested me most to pursue further. Having been intrigued by the history of art and fashion during contextual studies, next year I hope to continue my education and study for a BA in the History of Art at university.” The Fashion Retail Academy offers free full-time vocational courses for students aged 16-19 to develop the skills and experience required to make them ‘job ready’ for an exciting career in the world of fashion retail.

Web: www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk Tel: 020 7307 2345

www.careersworld.co.uk

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 £20,000 with more to come as you FILM & TELEVISION Fancy yourself as the next Phillip Seymour become more experienced. Hoffman? What do you mean who?! Well, it’s not all about the actors; all those FASHION names that scroll at the end of the credits If you know what’s hot and what’s not, (that you probably leave the cinema half what’s in and what’s out, then this could way through) are roles that make ﬁlm and be right up your alley. Fashion covers television work. Cameramen, sound and designing new clothes, patterns and styles lighting operators, makeup artists, special as well as buying stock for high street effects specialists and directors are just shops to sell. You can expect to start on some of the roles available. Salaries usually between £12,000 and £15,000. start out fairly low (about £12,000) but will grow as your experience does. PUBLIC RELATIONS

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 thing! Starting salaries are usually between £12,000 and £16,000 depending on your role.

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 relatively 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 you’ll get a lot of gratiﬁcation from. 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

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. 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. Creative • Creative and Digital Media • Design • Performing Arts • Photography • Photo Imaging

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

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

REGIONAL FOCUS London has always been seen as the media hub of Britain and rightly so; from the bright lights of the West End to the iconic BBC building in White City, our nation’s capital has always been the source of many creative outlets. London’s ﬁlm industry alone has a turnover of £13 billion and is the largest post production centre outside of Hollywood! If that doesn’t get your creative juices ﬂowing, I don’t know what will!

Croydon College open eventS

open event dateS for 2013/14: Wednesday 23 October 2013

4.00pm – 7.00pm

Wednesday 29 January 2014

4.00pm – 7.00pm

Saturday 22 March 2014

11.00am – 2.00pm

Community day: Wednesday 11 June 2014

2.00pm – 7.00pm

Start your learning by viSiting uS and: -

Find out about the courses Meet the tutors Speak to students about life at the College Take a tour of the College facilities View demonstrations Pick up the latest prospectus

your future beginS at Croydon College

t: 020 8760 5914 e: info@Croydon.aC.uk W: Croydon.aC.uk

blu_1243 Open Event ad 190x135.indd 1

22/05/2013 1:43pm

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 people think; most of our food comes from agriculture and with a growing number of people taking pets on, there is a demand for skilled veterinary staff to take care of them. Agriculture is a very broad term for working outdoors. It’s commonly mistaken for farming, which while a large part of this sector, is not the be all and end all. Forests, rivers, mountains and national parks all need looking after; not to mention the animals that reside within them! You might ﬁnd yourself working as a park ranger, 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 which will take place in hostile environments so a cool head is a good trait to have!

AUTOMOTIVE

If you know your spark plugs from your spare tyres, then you’ll probably have a future in the automotive industry. This sector covers the maintenance of any vehicle with an engine, from cars and motorcycles to more complex systems such as combine harvesters and luxury coaches. You could ﬁnd yourself working in a garage ﬁxing up customer’s vehicles, or in a workshop specialising in things like body work, paint and windscreen repair. You could also work in one of the main car dealerships, diagnosing and repairing cars and offering advice to customers. You’ll need an analytical www.careersworld.co.uk

most beautiful locations, or as a vet looking after household pets. Example Job Roles: Ranger • Veterinary Assistant • Farm Worker • Landscape Technician Salaries: Starting salaries are usually around the £13,000 mark. Qualiﬁcations: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • College Courses • Foundation Degrees (university is the best way into veterinary linked job roles)

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)

and problem solving mentality, but it this sector is generally favoured by those who enjoy working with their hands. Example Job Roles: Mechanic • Vehicle Service Technician • Panel/Paint Technician Salaries: Salaries in this sector tend to start at around £13,000 a year. Qualiﬁcations: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3 – this is the most popular route into this sector) • College Courses • Foundation Degrees • HNDs

BUSINESS & CUSTOMER SERVICE

If you’ve got a good eye for making a bit of dough, then you might be a natural business guru! Business is all about the money; how to invest it wisely, how to hang onto the money you already have and of course, how to make more of it. Good customer service ensures that customers become regular users of the business and that new clients can be attracted. It’s not just answering the phone; there are jobs in areas such as public relations, networking and social media. If you’ve got a friendly demeanour, a nice smile and good conversational skills, you’d be well suited to a job in customer service!

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 theoretical job roles.

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 teaching, namely, working with toddlers and very young children. This could be through a nursery, pre-school or a day care/activity centre. Whichever age group you choose to work with, you’ll need a caring, helpful and patient personality.

ENERGY & RENEWABLES

Traditionally, our energy came from burning fossil fuels, which were pretty harmful to the atmosphere. But, being a smart, proactive species, we’ve adapted our energy sources to make the most of our environment. Now, we can generate power via wind turbines, geothermal reactors, tidal generators and solar panels. We also have nuclear power, which might not sound environmentally friendly, but it generates a lot of energy and is relatively cheap to run. The government have also invested a 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 broken down into seven main categories; chemicals, mechanical, metals, electrical, aerospace, marine and defence. Chemical engineers manufacture everyday products from raw materials such as crude oil. Mechanical engineers work with high-tech machinery, while the metal engineering industry covers the creation of steel and other alloys. Electrical engineers work with, you guessed it, electrical systems and aerospace is all about creating and improving things that ﬂy. Defence is all about, er, defending the country. Whichever area you

www.careersworld.co.uk

Example Job Roles: PR Officer • Business Consultant • Personal Assistant • Human Resources Officer • Management/Team Leader Salaries: Starting salaries in business are generally quite high, usually starting around £17,000. Customer service salaries start at around £12,000. Qualifications: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • College Courses • Foundation Degrees • A-Levels (Business Studies and IT are useful)

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

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)

This sector offers job roles in a wide variety of areas, such as plant maintenance, recycling operations and nuclear working. Example Job Roles: Recycling Operator • Plant Technician • Radiation Monitor Salaries: Starting salaries in this sector are quite high, starting at around £17,000. Qualiﬁcations: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • A-Levels (Sciences are useful here) • College Courses • Foundation Degrees

choose to work in, you can be sure that your work will be challenging and varied. Example Job Roles: Systems Engineer • Aerospace Engineer • Electrical Technician • Lab Technician Salaries: Salaries start at around £14,000. Qualiﬁcations: Apprenticeships (Levels 2 and 3) • A-Levels (Technology and Maths are helpful here) • 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.

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

Our healthcare system is renowned for being one of the best in the world, so what better sector to get into? Nearly 1.5m people work for the NHS, which is the main employer for healthcare in this country. But this sector also covers private companies and professions, such as therapists, dentists, social workers and support staff. You could be working in a hospital helping to heal sick people, or going out visiting patients and clients in their own homes. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll ﬁnd this sector provides you with a rewarding and satisfying career.

IT, DIGITAL & TELECOMS

Pretty much every other industry relies on IT in some way or another, so the need for people working in IT has never been greater. Computers are constantly changing and being upgraded, so this sector requires a lot of adaptability as well as a logical, problem solving way of thinking. You could be managing a network for a large company, or providing IT support at a school. You might even ﬁnd yourself working within another sector; industries such as Logistics and Creative Media rely heavily on IT to deliver their products and services.

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.

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 various sports.

www.careersworld.co.uk

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

Example Job Roles: Healthcare Assistant • Dental Nurse • Maternity Support Worker • Optical Care Assistant • Social Worker • Clincial Support Staff Salaries: Starting salaries are between £11,000 and £18,000. Qualiﬁcations: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • A-Levels • College Courses • Foundation Degrees

Example Job Roles: IT Technician • Software Developer • IT Support Staff • Telecoms Technician Salaries: Salaries start out between £14,000 and £20,000. Qualiﬁcations: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • A-Levels • College Courses • Foundation Degrees

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

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, including a route into professional sports) • A-Levels (Sport Science and Biology will be of use) • College Courses • Foundation Degree • Industry Specific Qualifications

State-of-the-art campus There aren’t many colleges that can rival Welbeck’s campus. With an indoor swimming pool, state of the art sporting facilities and ensuite residential quarters, it’s a simply superb place to learn, develop and gain new skills. Rounded education As well as a technically-focused education, Welbeck offers a total approach to learning. The programme of personal, physical and intellectual development stretches the abilities, builds physical fitness and increases confidence. After two years at Welbeck, students are ready for anything. The fact that Welbeck is a boarding college also means students get all the benefits of mixing with likeminded individuals in an environment that’s geared to shaping their future career. Future prospects Welbeck leads to a degree at some of the UK’s leading universities (supported by £4,000 a year bursary through DTUS - the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme), then onto an engineering career in the Armed Forces or Civil Service. So Welbeck students couldn’t be better prepared - or supported - as they embark on their adult lives and careers.

Entry Requirements To apply for sponsorship to the Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force you should be medically ﬁt, a UK, Commonwealth or Irish citizen and aged between 15 years and 17 years six months on 1st September in the year of entry to the College. Commonwealth citizens are required to have 5 years residency in the UK prior to application. Certain other single-service conditions may apply and will be outlined at the time of application. To join as a Ministry of Defence Civil Service candidate you must be a British citizen or hold dual nationality, one of which must be British. For RN, RAF, DESG: An ‘A Grade’ or better at GCSE (or equivalent) in Mathematics and a ‘B Grade’ or better in dual award Science or Physics, as well as a ‘C Grade’ or better in English Language. For Army: One ‘A grade’ or better at GCSE (or equivalent) in higher level Mathematics or dual award Science or Physics and at least a ‘B Grade’ in the other, as well as a ‘C Grade’ or better in English Language.

WELBECK DEFENCE SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

WHERE LEARNING MEETS ADVENTURE.

AND ENGINEERS MEET THEIR FUTURE.

Welbeck is the Defence Sixth Form College - and it’s one of the best A-level colleges in the country. For potential engineers with drive, ambition and ability, Welbeck is where potential turns into bright futures as Oﬃcers in the Armed Forces or Civil Service. The combination of state of the art facilities, excellent teaching and a constant drive for improvement, creates an environment that prepares young people for success in whatever role they take in their professional lives. • • • •

99% of students from Welbeck were oﬀered a place at university in 2012 Tuition funded by the MoD En-suite accommodation Annual technical bursary of £4,000 at University

If you’d like to turn your engineering or technical potential into a promising career, come and visit us at one of our Open Days. For more information visit www.dsfc.ac.uk or follow us on

ademy we ir and Beauty Ac Here at Blingz Ha re. mo r fo ng are always strivi eresting and int n, fu a er liv We aim to de h, safety ation, with healt innovative qualific at the y em ad in the ac and security with are fully e W g. hin ac te forefront of all our learners. committed to all pire you to team, we will ins With our brilliant . ial nt te achieve your po if your dream courses are ideal Blingz Academy Ltd is a fantastic It . Fashion Industry is to be part of the involved in t ge to u yo for rfect course which is pe iate level ed erm int ustry. At the hairdressing ind skills which of ge ran nt lle ce you will gain an ex in the exciting gain employment will enable you to uced to all int g. You will be rod world of Hairdressin by doing ’. rn ‘lea ll wi d an g sin aspects of hairdres

s / Progression: Care er Prospect el in ur intermediate lev On completion of yo ards tow rk wo n begin to Hairdressing you ca ny career ma are ere Th el. your Advanced Lev as salons, n hairdressing such opportunities withi TV and Films. spas, cruise ships,

Course Fe es: e is fully ip training programm sh ce nti pre The Ap ces aged nti pre Ap ar olds. For funded for 16-18 ye to contribute ed uir req are rs ye over 18 years emplo ng costs. towards your traini

Course Duration: to complete, e up to 18 months This course can tak r to learner. rne lea m vary fro however it tends to

People on benefits

also welcome.

Start Date: , on going Flexible start dates

ssed? How will I be asse ents, written and nm sig as , ce an rm Practical perfo the assessment in ed lud inc oral questions are duce a portfolio pro o will als strategy. Candidates sessment as e of competent as containing evidenc dy. bo ing ard aw required by the

www.blingzsalon.com info@blingzsalon.com 0208 295 1111

190mm x 135mm Careers World:Layout 1

30/7/13

09:28

Page 1

Want to build a career in landscaping or branch out into tree surgery? Capel Manor is a unique alternative to staying on at school at 16. The full time courses, equivalent to GCSEs and A levels, combines practical and academic training and leads to national recognised qualifications, higher education and employment. Subjects offered include: animal care, gardening, landscape construction, environmental studies, garden design, tree surgery and floristry to name a few.

For further details ring Admissions on 08456 122122 or email enquiries@capel.ac.uk or visit www.capel.ac.uk for further details.

Capel Manor College

Growing your potential in the Natural World Centres across London: ENFIELD, CRYSTAL PALACE PARK, GUNNERSBURY PARK, REGENT’S PARK and at NEWHAM COLLEGE

www.capel.ac.uk

Combining qualifications with experience

Earn as you Learn

E AND TIMBER, HORTICULTUR Apprenticeships in: TREES and ANIMAL CARE gaining work experience and Earn a regular income whilst same time. receive formal training at the vices on 08456 122122 To apply ring Employer Ser ticeships@capel.ac.uk. ext 1160 or email appren

OPEN DAYS

ENFIELD: Saturday 19 October 2013 , 11am–3pm CRYSTAL PALACE PA RK: Saturday 16 Nove mber 2013, 12–4 pm GUNNERSBURY PA RK: Saturday 19 Octo ber, 10.30am–2.3 0pm CAPEL MANOR COLL EGE AT NEWHAM CO LLEGE: Saturday 16 Nove mber 2013 (East Ham), 11am–3pm

c:\Careers Hub>_

So, it’s autumn term; everything is fresh and new and the students are taking the next steps, as well as making decisions that will hopefully feed and nurture their aspirations. Everybody, from year 10 through to year 13 has important choices to make which will aﬀect them in diﬀerent ways. Some people know exactly what they want to do; some people have absolutely no idea. We’ve asked our editor to provide you, the careers advisor, with some helpful advice to aid students with any choices or worries they might have. Over the next few pages, we will tackle some of the common problems, options and concerns students face during the autumn term.

The Autumn Term The ﬁrst term of the school year is always greeted with mixed feelings. For some, it’s a chance to see friends they haven’t seen all summer. For others, it means the end of the holidays and is greeted with a fair amount of disappointment. However people feel about it, it’s an important time of the year for everybody because it marks the start of the decision making process. Whether they’re making choices at the age of 14, or whether they’re in the ﬁnal year of Sixth Form, everybody has some important choices to make in the coming months. There’s no set pathway for anybody and there are options available to suit everyone. Let’s start by looking at the choices that are available at various levels and how you can help.

GCSES

GCSEs are the qualifications taken at the end of Year 11. They’re mandatory to everybody in education and are the first set of qualifications young people receive on the path to their career. Given that the autumn term has already started, pupils in years 10 and 11 will have already chosen their options towards the end of Year 9. It doesn’t hurt to prepare the current Year 9 pupils for these choices, so it’s a good idea to have them think about what kind of career they want to pursue. If they already know, then guidance towards the further future is a good idea; you could discuss the eventual consequences of each option or which future educational choices are the best ways to kick start their careers. If they aren’t sure of what they want to do, then it might be a good idea to suggest subjects that the pupil excels in or enjoys, in the hope that it prompts a decision on a future career. There are two types of GCSEs: Compulsory subjects such as English, Maths and Science are mandatory. Employers value English and maths skills, as they provide a good indicator of the person’s abilities. Even in careers that don’t necessarily require writing or mathematics,

having solid English and maths skills can A-LEVELS & SIXTH FORM show a candidate’s confidence in both the A-Levels are qualifications that can be seen technical and communicatory aspects of as the next step from GCSEs. At one time, the job role. they were seen as the best pathway for those that wanted to go to university. This is Optional subjects, such as photography, no longer true, but they’re still recognised as sports studies and religious education valuable qualifications by both universities should be chosen for the purposes and employers. Your school might have a of specialisation, academic ability or Sixth Form attached to it; a lot of students enjoyment. The latter option might not wishing to study A-Levels choose to stay seem integral to the learning process, but if where they are for convenience. However, a student is engaged in the subject content, students need to be made aware of the then they’re more likely to excel. fact that A-Levels aren’t just limited to Sixth Forms; they can be studied at colleges, This will more than likely be a student’s dedicated institutions or in some rare cases, first experience with coursework, so it in the comfort of their own home. might also be a good idea to explain the fundamentals of working on a long term As with GCSEs, the important thing when project. Students that are in Year 11 will choosing A-Levels is to think one step be looking to complete their final pieces of ahead. If a student wants to study Medicine, coursework this year and will be making they’ll need to choose scientific subjects like their choices for their next step in education. Chemistry and Biology. If they’re looking to As with the Year 9s, it’s probably best to work in animation, they’d be better served talk to them about their future, especially studying art and IT based A-Levels. as there’s more chance of them knowing what it is they want to do (and how they’ll Students will enjoy this if...they enjoyed go about it). learning in a school environment. The topics they study will be ones they’ve chosen and will be able to combine an educational learning environment with subjects they’re passionate about. www.careersworld.co.uk

Careers Hub COLLEGE

Studying at college is a great alternative to Sixth Form, as it offers a larger degree of freedom. Often students can plan their own schedules, workloads and social life to suit them. It’s worth pointing out to them that college is a lot more laid back than the school environment; perhaps suggest advantages over schools, such as the fact that the students can wear their own clothes and call teachers by their ﬁrst names.

when they start the course, their training especially as it’ll be the first time they’ve left home for a prolonged period of time. It’s fees will be paid by the government. a good idea to talk about what university While working as an Apprentice, they’ll will have in store for them; discuss positive receive all the benefits that the other aspects such as helpful tutors and the employees get, such as a wage, holiday social side of things as well as what a pay and any other perks that come with university degree means in the context of the company. The student will study a employment. structured course called a ‘framework’, which consists of mandatory and optional Applications for university can be from a units (which are used to specialise within wide variety of qualifications, from academic chosen fields). Apprenticeships take studies such as A-Levels to vocational around a year to complete and at the end courses and even Apprenticeships. To of it the apprentice receives a nationally apply, the student will need to go through recognised qualification, such as a BTEC UCAS application, which is a simple, online or NVQ. They’ll also have valuable work process. It’s also a good idea to point out experience, which is highly prized by an that the student shouldn’t feel obliged to go to university when they leave college or employer. sixth form, as universities accept people Students will enjoy this if...they want to from all ages and backgrounds. swap the classroom for the workplace and complete their learning while working and Students will enjoy this if...they fancy the idea of meeting new people, studying a earning a salary subject they love and being independent.

Colleges offer a wide range of courses at varying levels, from vocational courses in cookery and hairdressing to more technical subjects such as engineering and IT. Vocational courses are aimed at preparing students for employment and are found in subjects that require a large amount of practical work. Colleges also offer GCSEs, A-Levels and, in some cases, Higher Diplomas and Foundation Degrees. It’s also worth seeing if the student is eligible for funding for their chosen course, as well UNIVERSITY as the perks that come with them (such as There was a time, in the distant past, where reduced fees and grants). university was seen as a place for the elite. Of course, this hasn’t been the case for a Students will enjoy this if...they want long time and university is now a popular something a little different to school. It choice for further education. combines the academics of a Sixth Form with the independence of university. University offers people a chance to pursue independent study in a subject they feel passionate about. At the end of the APPRENTICESHIPS Apprenticeships are a way for people course, students receive an internationally to earn money while they learn a trade. recognised qualiﬁcation, highlighting them There are courses available in pretty much as an asset to their subject area. every industry you can think of, from bookkeeping to tennis coaching. They’re There is of course the small matter of paying a popular choice for those who don’t enjoy for it, but pretty much everybody is eligible studying in a classroom, or for people who for a student loan, which doesn’t need want to get straight out into the world of repaying until the student has graduated work. In the majority of cases, the student and is earning at least £21,000 a year. will have to visit college once a week, but Some people are also entitled to grants the rest of their training will take place in the and bursaries, which are non-repayable amounts of money (again, it’s a good idea workplace. to mention these beneﬁts and help the They’ll be paid a weekly wage (they are student check if they’re eligible). working there after all!); the average apprentice earns around £130 a week – it’s The vast majority of students live away a good idea to mention this as many young from home and learning takes place in a people want to know how much they’ll be social environment with other people in earning and when. On top of this, provided their age group. Leaving for university can they’re between the ages of 16 and 18 be a worrying time for many young people,

Top Tips

Travelling is the most popular use of a gap year and many people head to exotic locations such as Thailand or Peru. Some also travel around Europe using the Eurostar rail network, or work abroad in programmes that help young people in less fortunate areas. There are literally hundreds of destinations available and there are dedicated companies that will provide the student with all the help they need to go travelling. They say travel broadens the mind; with a year’s travelling on their C.V., they’ll certainly stand out to employers and be somewhat richer for the experience too! Students will enjoy this if...they just want a break from everyday life and want to try something different.

Here are some top tips for getting through the autumn term:

FOR THOSE IN YEAR 9...

GAP YEAR

Most people associate gap years with university. However, some people at 18 decide that they want to earn money or travel before heading off to uni or going into full time work. It’s unlikely that this will be the most popular option for this age group, but it’s something that students sometimes forget about.

FOR THOSE IN YEAR 11...

GCSE options are being chosen this year, be sure to;

It’s about taking the next step this year, make sure that;

Speak to the teachers of the subjects that are being considered; they’ll have a good idea of course suitability. Choose options that are enjoyable. GCSEs take two years to complete and once the choice is made it’s difﬁcult to switch to something else. Consider the future. While it might seem like a way off, it helps to have some idea what career choices lay ahead and which options are the most attractive.

All available options are fully explored and considered. The pros and cons of each option is understood, along with other consequences such as cost, enjoyment and future choices. A C.V. has been prepared for those applying for Apprenticeships. It would also be helpful to have a good interview technique and an idea of what to expect when it comes to meeting the employer. We’ll be covering C.Vs and applications in our next issue, so be sure to check out our Spring edition for tips!

www.careersworld.co.uk

Careers Hub

Qualifications There are many, many different types of award at varying levels; for example, a Level 3 NVQ is the equivalent to an Advanced Diploma. This can throw many people, especially those who have no experience of other qualifications. Below is a handy chart, listing all the levels of study and the qualifications students can take. This way, everyone can see which qualifications are the equivalents of others, which is handy when people applying for courses and jobs.

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

BTEC 2 NATIONALS

LEVEL

DIPLOMA OF

LEVEL

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

HIGHER APPRENTICESHIPS

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

FOR THOSE LEAVING SIXTH FORM, COLLEGE OR AN APPRENTICESHIP...

It’s another big step, so be sure that;

The search for universities has begun, if that’s the preferred choice. Applications should preferably be completed before the end of November. It’s a good idea to start collecting university prospectuses and checking out potential destinations. A C.V. has been prepared or updated for those wishing to undertake an Advanced (or Higher) Apprenticeship. Brushing up on interview skills couldn’t hurt either. If the preferred choice is a gap year, all destinations have been researched thoroughly, including all laws and medical advice (some countries require inoculations before entry is accepted). It’s also a good idea to ﬁrm up travel arrangements and accommodation, as well as getting currency sorted from a reputable source.

www.careersworld.co.uk

LCBT is one of London’s leading specialist colleges, based in the heart of Central London and offering a range of apprenticeships and funded courses across: - BEAUTY THERAPY - HEALTH & FITNESS - EMPLOYABILITY TRAINING Many of our courses are fully funded for Under-19s, as well as those of any age who are unemployed and in receipt of state beneﬁts. Other learners may qualify for part-funding, depending on eligibility. WHY ENGAGE WITH LCBT? • Monthly start dates on all courses – we intake all year and do not close for term breaks • In-house Job Shop with hundreds of vacancies • Ofsted Grade II & average 90% progression to further education and employment To ﬁnd out more on our programmes for Under-19s and the unemployed, including how we can deliver on-demand courses for your service users, contact us on 020 7479 7517. 47 Great Marlborough Street London W1F 7JP

W: lcbt.co.uk

thelcbt

@theLCBT

Discover Apprenticeships with Future Un-Ltd Offering professional office jobs that will kick-start your career Top quality, supportive training and nurturing career guidance A choice of Business Administration or IT For Business qualifications. Apply for current vacancies or find out more about Future Un-Ltd online using the details below:

futureunld.co.uk

/FutureUnLtd

@FutureUnLtd

Future Un-Ltd

278-280 South Lambeth Road, Stockwell, London, SW8 1UJ | 0203 675 2170

c:\Useful Links>_

UNIVERSITIES University of London www.lon.ac.uk 020 7862 8000 British Institute of Technology and E-Commerce www.bite.ac.uk 020 8552 3071 Brunel University www.brunel.ac.uk 01895 274000 City University www.city.ac.uk 020 7040 5060 University of East London www.uel.ac.uk 020 8223 3000 Regent’s University London www.regents.ac.uk 0207 487 7770 European School of Economics www.eselondon.ac.uk 0207245 6148 University of Greenwich www.gre.ac.uk 020 8331 8000 Kingston University www.kingston.ac.uk 0844 8552177 LCA Business School, London www.lcabusinessschool. com 020 7400 6789 London Metropolitan University www.londonmet.ac.uk 020 7133 4200

University of the Arts, London www.arts.ac.uk 020 7514 6000 The University of West London www.uwl.ac.uk 0800 036 8888 University of Westminster www.westminster.ac.uk 020 7915 5511

UNIVERSITY TECHNICAL COLLEGES East London UTC www.utccolleges.org 020 8596 5447 Greenwich UTC www.greenwichutc.com 07738 726 317 Hackney UTC www.hackneyutc.co.uk 020 7613 9212 Southwark UTC www.utcolleges.org 020 7815 1786

COLLEGES CENTRAL LONDON City Lit www.citylit.ac.uk 020 7492 2600 City of Westminster College www.cwc.ac.uk 020 7723 8826 The City College www.citycollege.ac.uk 020 7253 1133

London South Bank University www.lsbu.ac.uk 020 7815 7815

Fashion Retail Academy www.fashionretail academy.ac.uk 020 7307 2345

Middlesex University www.mdx.ac.uk 020 8411 5555

Morley College www.morleycollege.ac.uk 020 7450 1889

Richmond, The American International University in London www.richmond.ac.uk 020 8332 9000

Westminster Kingsway College www.westking.ac.uk 0870 060 9800

Roehampton University www.roehampton.ac.uk 020 8392 3232

NORTH LONDON Barnet College www.barnet.ac.uk 020 8266 4000 Brooke House Sixth Form College www.brookehouse.ac.uk 0800 3892 947 Capel Manor College www.capel.ac.uk 08456 122 122 City and Islington College www.candi.ac.uk 0207700 9200 College of Haringey, Enﬁeld and North East London www.conel.ac.uk 020 8802 3111 The College of North West London www.cnwl.ac.uk 020 8208 5050 Hackney Community College www.tcch.ac.uk 020 7613 9123 Hampstead Garden Suburb Institute www.hgsi.ac.uk 0208 829 4229 Haringey Sixth Form Centre www.haringey6.ac.uk 020 8376 6000 Harrow College www.harrow.ac.uk 020 8909 6000 Regent’s College www.regents.ac.uk 0207 487 7700

Woodhouse College www.woodhouse.ac.uk 020 8445 1210

John Ruskin College www.johnruskin.ac.uk 020 8651 1131

Working Men’s College www.wmcollege.ac.uk 020 7255 4700

Kingston College www.kingston-college. ac.uk 020 8546 2151

EAST LONDON

Lambeth College www.lambethcollege. ac.uk 020 7501 5000

Barking and Dagenham College www.barkingcollege.ac.uk 020 8090 3020 Bexley College www.bexley.ac.uk 01322 442331 Christ the King College www.ctksfc.ac.uk 020 8297 9433 Greenwich Community College www.gcc.ac.uk 020 8488 4800 Havering FE College www.havering-college. ac.uk 01708 455011

South-Thames College www.south-thames.ac.uk 020 8918 7777 Coulsdon College www.coulsdon.ac.uk 01737 551176

WEST LONDON Duff Miller College www.duffmiller.com 0207 225 0577

Newham College of Further Education www.newham.ac.uk 020 8257 4446

Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College www.wlc.ac.uk 0800 980 2185

Newham Sixth Form College www.newvic.ac.uk 020 7473 4110

Kensington and Chelsea College www.kcc.ac.uk 020 7573 3600

Redbridge College www.redbridge-college. ac.uk 0208 548 7400

Richmond Upon Thames College www.rutc.ac.uk 020 8607 8000

Tower Hamlets College www.tower.ac.uk 020 7510 7510

St Dominic’s Sixth Form College www.stdoms.ac.uk 020 8422 8084

SOUTH LONDON

Sir George Monoux College www.george-monoux. ac.uk 020 8523 3544

Bromley College www.bromley.ac.uk 020 8295 7000

Southgate College www.southgate.ac.uk 020 8266 4000

Carshalton College www.carshalton.ac.uk 020 8544 4444

Stanmore College www.stanmore.ac.uk 0208 420 7700

Croydon College www.croydon.ac.uk 020 8686 5700

Waltham Forest College www.waltham.ac.uk 020 8501 8501

Hillcroft College www.hillcroft.ac.uk 020 8399 2688

www.careersworld.co.uk

Lewisham College www.lewisham.ac.uk 020 8692 0353

Uxbridge College www.uxbridgecollege. ac.uk 01895 853333 West Thames College www.west-thames.ac.uk 020 8326 2000

The autumn term is upon us! This means that for some of you, it’s time to think about applying for university. It may seem like a way oﬀ (it is, you won’t be going until next year), but the application process does take a bit of time. It’s not diﬃcult, but you’ll have to set aside some time to make sure it’s completed.

THE PROCESS

UCAS have made applying for university as easy as it could possibly be! The ﬁrst thing to do is to head to www.ucas.co.uk, ﬁnd the ‘Apply’ button and click it. There’s loads of online help to assist you with your application, but you can also call a UCAS advisor on 0871 468 0 468 (have your UCAS ID ready) and they’ll be able to help you with anything you get stuck with. You can also get in contact via social media, through both Facebook (www.facebook. com/ucasonline) or through Twitter, using the handle @ucas_online. If you’re applying from the UK or the EU, then the normal time to start your application is in mid-September and you should have your application completed by the 15th of January 2014. However, there are some exceptions to this rule; for those of you applying to medical, veterinary science, veterinary medicine, dentistry or Oxbridge (Oxford or Cambridge) courses, you need to submit your application by the 15th of October 2013. For those of you applying to art and design courses, be aware that some courses have deadlines on the 24th March, so be sure to check if this applies to you!

APPLYING

Whichever deadline you have to meet, it never hurts to start the application process early; this way, you’ll have plenty of time to go back and make any changes you need to make. You’ll need to register in the ‘Apply’ section; if you’re applying from school or college, then you’ll need to get hold of their buzzword. This lets the UCAS application system know where you’re applying from. You won’t be able to access your application without it, so don’t go forgetting it! Don’t worry if you don’t have the time to complete everything in one sitting; you can save your application at any time and come back to it later. Just remember your password and username and you’ll be ﬁne!

PERSONAL STATEMENT

A very important part of your application, the personal statement is your chance to talk about yourself to potential universities. It looks like you’ve got a lot of space to write in, but you only get 47 lines to ﬁt everything in, so you have to get straight to the point! Here are some tips for writing a great personal statement!

REFERENCES

For those of you applying from school or college, you’ll need to send your completed application to your referee. Unless you’re told otherwise, this will be your form tutor or a teacher in the subject you are applying to study. The referee will check your application and if they find any mistakes, they’ll send it back for you to amend. Once you’ve changed it, you need to send it • Try to be clear and concise; remember back to them. Once the referee adds their that universities have to read thousands reference, your application will be sent to of these, so you have to get across UCAS. what you’re trying to say without waffling on. If you are applying as an individual (rather • Be sure to use paragraphs to space than through school, sixth form or college), out your statement; if you change the you need to make sure your chosen subject or make a new point, start a referee are willing to provide a reference new paragraph. Be sure everything through the UCAS online method. Enter flows properly; don’t follow up a their contact details in the reference paragraph about travelling with one section and click ‘Ask referee to complete about your school subjects, it’ll come reference’. UCAS will then contact them across as disjointed and difficult to to request your reference. When they’ve follow. provided it, you’ll be notified that you can • Ask somebody else to read it for you. complete and submit your application. If If they can’t understand what you’re your referee is at a school, college or other talking about, then neither will the registered centre, you can request that university. Ask somebody you know they complete their part online. Go to the will tell you the truth; if they point out ‘Options’ section in Apply and click ‘Ask a some mistakes, don’t take it personally, registered school, college or organisation it’s important to get this right! to write your reference only’. If they agree, • You can’t list everything about yourself then the reference will be attached to your in this statement, so pick out your best application. Once every section (including strengths and skills. Talk about your the reference) is completed, you can then hobbies, your subjects and any teams send your application off to UCAS. or clubs you’re in, as well as why you really want to study your chosen COST subject. Once all the sections are completed, you’ll • Don’t just copy somebody else’s have to make a small payment. The fee is statement! UCAS use very strict £12 if you’ve only applied for one course plagiarism software that can tell when or £23 if you’ve applied for two or more statements are duplicated; feel free courses. to look at online examples of good statements, but never use the text and CLEARING claim it as your own. Results aren’t always what people expect, You don’t know who is going to be reading but it doesn’t mean the end of the road. your statement, so make sure you make Many universities will have spaces on their as good a job of this as you can. In many courses that you can apply to do and once cases applicants are not interviewed by you have your results, the application universities, so this is your one and only process becomes much simpler. If you wish chance to make your case for a place on to apply, then check the UCAS website for vacancies, then once you’ve found one, ring their course. the university and if they want to consider you, simply send them your application online and you could have a place confirmed that very day! www.careersworld.co.uk

Web: www.ucas.co.uk Tel: 0871 468 0 468

Web: www.ucasprogress.com

UCAS Progress is a great way for young people to find courses and training providers to help them make that next step in education. The search option allows you to find courses that interest you and save them to your own unique ‘favourites’ page, meaning you can sort and share them with later with family and advisers. The best way to find courses near you is to enter your postcode into the search option, select the subject you’d like to study and the distance from your home. UCAS Progress will then list all the educational institutions that match your search criteria, allowing you to easily explore all the options available to you (some of which you might not have even been aware of!). Applying is easy; in participating areas, you can use the ‘Apply’ section to track the stages of your application. Once it’s submitted, you can track your progress and use the communications tool to contact the course providers about interviews, start dates and any other queries you have. Visit www.ucasprogress.com to start taking that next step in education! www.careersworld.co.uk

You aren’t the only one in your position right now; thousands of others are facing the same choices you are and many of them will have no idea what it is they want to do. What we have here are some of the common questions we get asked at this time of year and the answers to those questions.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO AS A CAREER! HELP ME PLEASE?

Don’t panic! There are thousands of people in your position! Remember that a job is temporary, but a career is for life. A career should be in something you love doing, so it’s important to think about what you want to do in life. It’s a decision that takes some people minutes and others years to make; so don’t worry if you’re leaving education not knowing, it’s something that requires a great deal of thought!

I HAVE TO CHOOSE MY OPTIONS, WHICH ONES ARE THE BEST?

Erm. There isn’t really a right answer here. It sort of links into the “What do I want to do?” line of questioning. A GCSE or A-Level in Graphic Design is worth more to an employer in the publishing industry than a qualification in Physics; you have to choose your options to suit what it is you want to do. More creative lines of work, such as those in media, will favour theory based subjects such as English, Art and History. Practical careers, such as engineering and IT will be better served with qualifications in things like Maths and Science. It’s worth skipping ahead and finding out what universities and employers look for down the line, so you can choose your options to suit decisions you have to make in the future.

I’M LEAVING SCHOOL, WHAT CAN I DO NOW?

A number of things. At 16, you can leave school and go straight into employment. Some people already have work lined up, or they undertake an Apprenticeship, which is essentially a job with training. If you want to continue studying, then you can undertake A-Levels or a college course in any number of subjects. Leaving school at 18, you’re faced with pretty much the same choices, but no doubt you’ll have been told about university. Uni is one option and it’s certainly popular, but some people prefer to work (again Apprenticeships are available) or even take a year out from studying to do something else, such as earn money working or travelling.

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

Don’t forget, if you have any questions for us that aren’t printed below, you can head to www.facebook.com/careers.world and ask us a live question!

I’M NOT GREAT AT STUDYING AND MY GRADES AREN’T BRILLIANT, WILL THIS AFFECT GETTING A JOB?

In short, no, it won’t. If school isn’t for you, you probably aren’t going to spend your next few years studying; you’ll want to be going out into the world of work. Most employers look for people who have good English and Maths skills; this doesn’t mean they want somebody who can recite Shakespeare and do algebra, but rather they want somebody who can communicate clearly and problem solve. But even if your grades aren’t great, you can take something called Functional Skills, which provide you with employer standard levels of basic English and Maths.

Absolutely; it’s a common misconception that A-Levels are the only way into university. In the olden days this was probably the case, but as more people are now applying, the criteria for getting in has changed a lot. Universities use a points system to grade qualiﬁcations. Each university course has a points requirement that has to be met (special circumstances are usually allowed) to see if the student is suitable for the course. You can see a list of which qualiﬁcations are worth what here: www.ucas.com/how-itall-works/explore-your-options/entryrequirements/tariff-tables

I WANT TO START WORK NOW! HOW DO I GO ABOUT IT?

Well, for starters, it’s probably not a good idea to look for full time work until you are at least 16; the reason for this is that when you start work, your employer needs a NI number from you, something you don’t get until you turn 16. This makes applying for work when you’re under 16 very difﬁcult, but not impossible. If you’re leaving school with qualiﬁcations, you’ll have a better time of it. The best way into full time employment from school is an Apprenticeship (see earlier in the magazine) and you’ll need a C.V. (make sure you read our next issue for tips on C.V building!).

“ “

“

CAN I GO TO UNIVERSITY WITHOUT A-LEVELS?

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

You’ve made it to the end of the magazine, congratulations! You will see below that this page isn’t like the others; in fact, it’s totally diﬀerent. Welcome to the randomness that is our Oﬀ Topic page.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Find us at facebook.com/careers. world and follow us on twitter using the handle @careers_world. If that wasn’t enough, 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! If that wasn’t enough, the prizes will continually get better as we get more likes! So our 10,000th liker might be getting a speedboat*!

SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE...

NASA uses the ﬁlm ‘Armageddon’ as part of its training program. A little worrying to say the least.

Each morning I appear, to lie at your feet, all day I will follow, no matter how fast you run, yet I nearly perish in the midday sun. Two in a corner, one in a room, none in a house but one in a shelter. What am I?

The width of your arm span stretched out (pretend you’re an aeroplane) is almost exactly the height of your own body.

What English word has three consecutive double letters? I’m full of holes, yet I’m full of water. What am I? In order to keep me, you have to give me. What am I?

Men’s shirts are made with buttons on the right, while women’s shirts have them on the left. I bet you just checked... Cows have best friends and they become very stressed and agitated if separated. A little bit like Jedward...

What has a head, a tail, is brown, and has no legs?

What word is the same written forward, backward and upside down?

Famous ice cream maker Ben and Jerry’s has its own private graveyard, in which is buried all of their discontinued ﬂavours.

*Erm. Or you know, not a speedboat. That would be far too expensive. But it would be equally awesome. We promise you that. www.careersworld.co.uk

The “sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick” is said to be the toughest tongue twister in the English language. Not surprising really, it’s hard enough reading it. Answers: A penny, A shadow, The letter ‘r’, bookkeeper, A sponge, Your word, noon (in capitals)

A COUPLE OF BRAINTEASERS FOR YOU TO TRY OUT ON YOUR FRIENDS! (ANSWERS FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE; THEY’RE UPSIDE DOWN SO THEY’RE HARD TO READ.)

Ok, so we said in the intro that this page would take your mind off school. Well, we bent the truth a little. Below are some genuine answers to exams; these aren’t made up by us, people actually answered like this.

An owl is the only bird in the entire world that can see the colour blue. Which is bad news for Smurfs.

Open Daysob J e h t t Jus

Come and experience one of the most exciting colleges in London. Feltham Skills Centre TW13 5DR For catering, engineering, motor vehicle and construction trades 10a Saturday 23 November 2013, 10am-1pm Thursday 13 March 2014, 4-7pm Isleworth Campus TW7 4HS For all other courses Wednesday 16 October 2013, 4-7pm Saturday 16 November 2013, 10am-1pm Tuesday 11 March 2014, 4-7pm

020 8326 2000 west-thames.ac.uk

Tours it until e g e l l Co canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wa ďŹ&#x20AC;er we o eally If you rxt Open Day,ised tours our ne hly personal nd small mont ndividuals a nline at for i ps. Book o ac.uk grou -thames. west