Careers World North West AUTUMN 2013

NORTH WEST 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

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

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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!

Hair & Beauty

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

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

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Health & Social Care

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Engineering

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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!

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Agriculture & Animal Care

Transport & Logistics

Some commonly asked questions about this time of year.

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

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

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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

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Editor | Tom Haymes editor@opendoorsmedia.co.uk

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

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All material is copyrighted both written and illustrated. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. All images and information is collated from extensive research and along with advertisements is published in good faith. Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this publication was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Careers World is published by Open Doors Media Ltd ©2013.

ISSN: 2050-6589

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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

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APPLY L-Earn   

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.

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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

Baltic Training Services provide real employment opportunities for young people who are looking to gain real life work experience, recognised qualifications and earn while they learn! We offer apprenticeships in; I.T. Professional Level 3 & 4, Software Development and Social Media and Digital Marketing across the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber and the Midlands.

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

The ability to gain on the job training, receiving a guaranteed minimum salary of approximately £100 per week whilst gaining a nationally recognised qualification, with the addition of free vendor qualifications including CISCO essentials, Microsoft Professional and CompTia depending on the apprenticeship completed.

Web: www.baltictraining.com

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

We offer a wide range of academic and work-related courses, including A-Levels, vocational courses and Apprenticeships.

Jack Carney is Principal of The Manchester College. The College has 17 sites across north, south, east and central Manchester offering an unrivalled choice of courses for school leavers.

Our fantastic teaching and support staff are fully qualified to provide you with the advice and guidance you need to get off on the right foot and help you think about things you may not have considered.

Whichever path you choose, we believe in giving you a learning experience to prepare you for further study and the world of work. Our facilities are some of the best in the country - exciting campus buildings, custom-built automotive

Web: www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk

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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?

As our qualifications are a Level 3 standard, a good level of English and Maths is required, as well as a genuine interest in the role. However if a candidate shows a natural aptitude and ability we will consider any application.

WHAT WOULD THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOUR APPLICANTS?

IF YOU HAVE ONE TIP, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

80% of our candidates are employed by the Be yourself, research the position and know employer on completion of their qualification, your employer! if not they are in receipt of a high skill set, knowledge and work experience to transfer to future employment.

The College workshops, industry standard training Whatever you want to do, whoever you restaurants and hair and beauty salons, want to be, The Manchester College can high tech recording studios, media suites make it happen. and great live performance venues, an established Sports Academy, fitness suites WHAT WOULD THE FUTURE HOLD FOR and sports facilities.

Vocational courses teach you the skills you need for a particular career. A wide range of subjects can help you get on the first rung of the career ladder and kick-start your working life.

YOUR APPLICANTS?

IF YOU HAVE ONE TIP, WHAT WOULD IT Many students progress into higher education, with many choosing to complete BE? their university level studies here. We offer Choosing the right subject is key; think low tuition fees, the opportunity to study about what you enjoy doing. The chances locally and a high level of personal support. are you will feel more confident, and more likely to do well in, something you enjoy.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN Our Apprenticeships have been created and developed with the help of employers.

APPLICANT? Everyone has the right to have the Through Apprenticeships you will learn the opportunity to attend college and we have right skills to fill the jobs that are available options for people of all abilities. We aim to right here in Greater Manchester. give you the confidence and qualifications to be who you want to be.

All 16-18 students receive an Experience Card on enrolment, which entitles you to hundreds of exciting offers and invites to exclusive VIP events.

www.careersworld.co.uk

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Stockport College Open Events 2013

PRE-REGISTER AND AVOID THE QUEUES

BY VISITING WWW.STOCKPORT.AC.UK TEL: 0300 300 0090

Speak with staff, students and view our facilities at the following Open Events:

10th October Thursday 5pm - 8pm 23rd November Saturday 11am - 2pm

Futureworks

A day in the life of Sam O’Leary, A Manufacturing Manager

At Futureworks, Manchester’s School of Media specialising in four creative disciplines (Audio, Games, CGI and Film & TV), not only are all tutors practising industry professionals - their students often find themselves working in their chosen industries before they’ve even finished their courses.

Audio Engineering Diploma student Dominic Shields was editing audiobooks for Audible at the same time as completing his finals, and is now working as a Sound Designer for Sony PlayStation.

The best thing about my job as manufacturing manager is that no two days are the same - there’s loads of variety and it can be hard to predict what I’ll be doing on a day to day basis. So, although there’s no such thing as a ‘typical’ day, here’s a glimpse into the kind of things I do as manufacturing manager..

Games Design Degree student Beau Lamb was handpicked by fantasy author Alan Campbell to provide freelance concept artwork for a major motion picture before graduation.

First off, there’s a problem with production so I stop what I’m doing and go out to the shop floor. This kind of problem has to be dealt with urgently, as a gap in production is bad news for us. Firstly we’ve got to work out what’s causing the problem. This time it’s a mechanical issue with a creep feed grinding machine. I assemble a team and brief them on the situation so that we can find a solution.

And the success stories don’t end there. Jo Pomfret, who studied Visual Effects and Post Production is working as a Production Coordinator on everything from Beatles documentaries to film releases, while Ricky Wong, a Film and TV Production Diploma graduate, has had short films screened at Cannes twice and is currently working on his first feature film.

In the afternoon I begin my work on the commercial side of the business- negotiating deals, selling and winning work. I’ve got a big presentation in a few days so I’ve got to make sure that my pitch is flawless. We work with companies all around the world, and travelling to places like Venezuela and Dubai makes winning the contracts even more exciting.

Meanwhile Steven Donlon, who took the same course as Ricky, is now contributing to primetime TV shows like Top Gear and The Voice as part of his job at Envy Studios in London.

After leaving school with GCSEs, Sam started out as an Engineering Apprentice, completing four years training on the job and at college.

He then went onto work as logistics controller, technical engineer and technical authority before being promoted to his current role as Manufacturing Manager. Since his apprenticeship he has also completed a further four years training to achieve a degree in Engineering.

How do they achieve all this? Futureworks tutors boast great industry connections, and work their students harder within smaller class sizes.

Portfolio or showreel-building and exercises in self-promotion make up part of the curriculum for all courses, and when it comes to their Professional Diplomas, students looking to work part-time or full-time can fit their studies around any jobs they wish to undertake.

EUROPEAN UNION Investing in Your Future

Web: www.futureworks.co.uk Tel: 0161 214 4600 Email: info@futureworks.co.uk

European Regional Development Fund 2007-13

Web: www.makeit.org/aerospace Tel: 01772 648 800

www.careersworld.co.uk

17

Take a fresh look at Preston’s College

Training 2000 opens career door for Reanne

You may have noticed there’s a buzz about Preston’s College - things are changing. Money is being invested, awards are being won, different kinds of people are joining our staff team and new, state-of-the-art buildings are being developed.

Twelve months ago Reanne Alker couldn’t decide which direction her career should take.

We’re preparing for a new future. The UK is changing and it’s getting harder and harder to separate work and education.

Reanne, 19, lost motivation halfway through her A-levels and after gaining poor grades in her AS exams decided to reassess her future.

As a member of tomorrow’s workforce, you’re going to need the skills and experiences that set you apart from the competition, give you the edge and make you EMPLOYABLE.

She said: “I heard about Training 2000 through my mum’s friend and went along for an interview to get on their ‘Train Up Work Taster’ Programme.

Like Chhaya Udani. Her time with us was spent winning awards, reaching national finals for her craft and gaining experience working with the stars at the BAFTAs and Elton John’s WIG Party. All of this means Chhaya has more in her locker when it comes to securing a job and she’ll go to the top of employers’ lists when recruiting.

“When I first started I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do. I was in a bad place and couldn’t see me having a future.”

Here’s what else we’re doing to ensure our students are among the most employable in the region:

• • • • •

But a work taster course with Training 2000 put her on track for success, and now she is hoping that she will one day fulfil her ambition to become a solicitor.

£5m Investment in a new enterprise zone - dedicated to helping you grow your business ideas and develop your business and enterprise skills A new focus on work experience as part of your courses means employment comes built in for many students Access to business mentors from local and national companies to guide you on your way Student run businesses on campus - from ReVive Hair Salon, to Vincent’s Restaurant and College Auto Repairs and Servicing Recruiting tutors with real industry experience so that learning is up to date, relevant and in line with what employers are looking for in their employees

So, whatever you want to study, we hope you’ll join us on the journey of a lifetime. Get in touch to find out more.

As well as teaching Reanne about the job application and interview process, the course gave her time to reflect on what she really wanted to do and, once she had done this, to begin applying to local solicitors. “Train Up helped me regain my motivation and decide on my future,” she said.

“I managed to get a work placement with Acklam Bond Solicitors for eight weeks and at the end of that they offered me an Apprenticeship”.

“I’m so happy now. I love my new job and have a whole new lease of life and a fantastic future to look forward to. I can’t thank Training 2000 enough for believing in me when I had stopped believing in myself.”

Web: t2k.org.uk Tel: 01254 54659

Web: www.preston.ac.uk Tel: 01772 22 55 22

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www.careersworld.co.uk

Myerscough College - your Number One choice!

Myerscough College is one of the UK’s largest land-based and sports colleges, offering a wide range of courses across 20 subject areas.

It’s a popular choice for students, with a stunning parkland campus situated between Preston and Lancaster. Myerscough is the number one land-based college in the UK for student achievement rates and 2nd nationwide for student satisfaction according to the 2013 National Student Survey results. It was recently awarded an OUTSTANDING classification for its Agriculture and Countryside Studies provision by Ofsted.

For students working towards their GCSEs, the College offers a range of entry level introductory courses through to A-Level equivalent Level Three Diplomas, ideal for progression to university degrees. As well as the main campus at Preston Myerscough also has additional learning centres at Croxteth Park in Liverpool, Witton Park in Blackburn and Crow Wood Equestrian Centre, Burnley.

For students taking A-Levels, there are great opportunities to progress to Foundation Degree and Honours Degree courses at the College. Myerscough is an Associate School of the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), one of the largest universities in the UK with around 35,000 students, 11 world-leading and 17 internationally excellent research areas.

Myerscough offers superb on-site residential accommodation for more than 700 students, with a fantastic range of social activities organised by the College’s Students Union. For students already living in the North West, dedicated bus routes provide direct College transport from various towns and cities.

Find out more at one of their Saturday Open Mornings held regularly throughout the year.

Web: www.myerscough.ac.uk Tel: 01995 642222

North Lancashire Training Group and students honoured at Education Oscars in London Learners, teachers and experts from the education industry came together to honour the outstanding achievements of the most exceptional vocational achievers at City & Guilds’ prestigious Lion Awards and Medals for Excellence Winners. The Awards were presented by Myleene Klass and CEO/Director General, Chris Jones.

North Lancashire Training Group was awarded the Recognition of Centre Excellence Award for the second year running and Morgan Titterington from Accrington, won the Employee Learner of the Year Lion award. This was also another exceptional achievement for apprentices and learners who have won five Medals for Excellence Awards in Business Administration, Jasmine Cookson, Customer Service, Josh Smith, IT, Mark Branson, Warehousing, Morgan Titterington and Foundation Learning, Nicole Parkinson.

What makes this more exceptional is the fact that only 114 medals were awarded worldwide with medal winners from Malaysia, Trinidad & Tobago, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and not forgetting Accrington.

This is a testament to the high quality of teaching and the dedication of tutors to helping their learners/apprentices succeed and progress. It was also applauded for its positive impact on the local community, by offering additional courses specifically for unemployed people. Through its partnership with Job Centre Plus, the Group teaches the essential skills that people need to be work-ready.

Additionally, Jim Harkness MBE, Managing Director from North Lancashire Training Group said: ‘Our organisation is so proud of all our learners and tutors. We are truly on top of the world and it is such an honour to win this award again.’

Meanwhile, Chris Jones, CEO and Director General of City & Guilds said: ‘At City & Guilds, we’re all about helping people get into a job, progress on a job and move onto the next job, which is what North Lancashire Training Group is enabling learners to do. Winning a Lion Award is a sign of exceptional talent and dedication, and Morgan should be very proud of her remarkable accomplishment. Morgan is just one example of those that North Lancs has helped, and thanks to their support, she and others have a bright future ahead of them.’

Web: www.nltg.co.uk

www.careersworld.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

How do I g adult soc et into ial care?

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

Earn whil e you lea rn.

Gain qua lifications .

Become a confide n and skille d worker. t

For more information about adult social care Apprenticeships:

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

Health & Social Care Everybody gets sick at some point, it’s just the way it goes. To help us get better, we have the very best in doctors, nurses, dentists and other medical staff.

It could be a strong bout of man flu or a bump on the head from falling down the stairs; whatever it is, these guys have got you covered. If you want to be on the side that saves and improves lives, then you’ve chosen wisely!

WHAT’S THE HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

Care, you will be out and about helping people in your remit.

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

If you couldn’t have guessed by the name, it’s about helping people who have fallen ill, hurt themselves or have problems at home. The medical side of this industry is vast; doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists, dentists, psychiatrists and many more roles help keep this country in top working order. The Social HOW DOES THIS SECTOR Care side helps people with COMPARE TO OTHERS more domestic issues, like fostering children, working with ACROSS THE COUNTRY? people with learning disabilities As you can imagine, this is a and helping families deal with huge sector in the UK. There issues. are more than 1.52 million healthcare workers and over WHAT KIND OF SALARY 1.56 million social care in this country, so it’ll CAN I EXPECT TO EARN? workers come as no surprise that the The average starting salary in UK National Health Service this sector is around £13,000, (NHS) is the largest employer in but will quickly increase as you all of Europe! become more experienced and qualified (this is especially WHERE IS THE WORK the case with nurses).

A fully qualified nurse will earn MOST CONCENTRATED? upwards of £27,000 and Well, every town or city has doctors can earn anywhere a hospital. If it didn’t, people between £38,000 and £63,000 would get very stuck very depending on their speciality. quickly. Doctor’s surgeries can Social workers usually start on be found in smaller towns and £19,000 but can easily be on villages, with some surgeries £35,000 when they become covering more than one village fully qualified and experienced. if the area isn’t particularly built up. Social Workers work closely with the local authorities helping WHAT KIND OF in that particular country, ENVIRONMENT WOULD I people but you do also get private firms BE WORKING IN? which cover larger areas of the This sort of depends on which UK. area of the health sector you go into. If you work in Social

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

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

At Oaklands he was treated like a team member from the outset, initially shadowing project workers, getting to know service users and given responsibility. All this support helped Ollie gain confidence.

Every day is different for Ollie. His tasks are varied and can include escorting service users to medical appointments, helping them to shop and cook, or just offering emotional support over a cup of tea.

Ollie works with a range of adults with varying needs across different age groups. He feels a sense of achievement every day helping vulnerable adults back into the community and supporting their needs.

After school, Ollie didn’t think that he would be studying again, but is clear that being an apprentice is the ideal work-based route to a long term career supported by on-going work training.

Ollie said: “I would definitely recommend the Apprenticeship programme to those who want to gain experience in care, whilst training and studying. It’s a brilliant programme and the training is second to none.”

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

www.careersworld.co.uk

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Careers Choices Keeping people healthy has never been more important these days; we’re always looking for ways to protect ourselves from disease, improve our wellbeing or just lose a couple of pounds for the summer season. This sector covers everything from physical medicine and therapies to more specialised areas like psychiatry, fostering and child care.

The Healthcare sector is huge; there are so many job roles that keep this industry ticking that we couldn’t possibly list them all. We just couldn’t. What we can do is show you the most popular areas that people go into and which job roles you might encounter when in that area.

ADULT SOCIAL CARE

Caring for adults is all about helping people who want to go out and live life, but for varying reasons couldn’t do it by themselves. It’s not about being a form of babysitter; it’s about helping people live their lives with dignity and independence.

Some people are full time carers for family members, or look after several people during the course of their week. Salaries vary depending on your role and, perhaps more poignantly, when in the week you work. Night shifts, bank holidays and weeks usually pay much more than regular working hours, but normal starting salaries are around £13,000.

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS

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

CHILDCARE

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

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DENTAL

Going to the dentist isn’t everybody’s favourite thing to do, but dental hygiene is very important to our overall health.

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

NURSING & MIDWIFERY

Nurses assist doctors with complicated procedures, while also tending to the needs of the patients. In some situations, patients will be referred to nurses for simple surgical procedures or for blood sample collection.

So it goes without saying that with all this patient interaction you’ll need to be smiley and approachable so that people feel safe letting you poke and prod them. Midwives are responsible for patients who are about to have (or have just had) babies. This involves both the patient’s and the baby’s well being, so if you love being around babies, this is definitely the career for you.

Salaries usually start between £15,000 and £20,000, but can rise to £30,000 and HEALTHCARE SCIENCE Medicines, vaccines and other medical beyond. related chemicals are all created in a laboratory somewhere by our top healthcare SOCIAL CARE scientists. This is less about surgery and Social workers work closely with young patients and more about working in a lab people and families helping with various with chemicals and data, which can be issues such as behaviour, parenting, exciting if you enjoy chemistry. This also education and fostering. They also work covers the pharmacists you get medicine with people just released from prison, from; they are responsible for choosing helping them integrate into society. You the right amounts of the right medicines might be working in hospitals, prisons or that are prescribed by the doctors. Most anywhere in the local community. Salaries starting salaries in this area are around can range from £19,000 to £22,000 when £21,000 and will increase with experience. you start out, but most qualified social workers are on £32,000 and over.

HEALTH INFORMATION

Researchers, analysts, IT professionals… the list of people required to store the vast amount of people is huge. These people are responsible for keeping a record of literally everything that goes on in the hospital, from prescriptions and surgeries to patient records and medical histories. A hospital without health information would be absolute chaos; this is for those who want to work in a medical environment but don’t want to do anything science related.

Your salary depends on your role, but it will usually start at around £15,000, but at the top end of the ladder you could expect to earn over double that.

www.careersworld.co.uk

WIDER HEALTHCARE

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

THIS SECTOR EMPLOYS OVER

2 MILLION PEOPLE

THE HEALTH SECTOR IS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE UK

OVER

1.5 MILLION PEOPLE WORK FOR THE NHS

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

APPRENTICESHIPS

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

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPS

These are the equivalent to A-Levels and can usually be joined after completing the associated Intermediate Apprenticeship.

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

A-LEVELS

A-Levels are the most popular gateway into university and are sought after by employers.

They will be useful to getting into this sector, especially science based qualifications.

Here are the relevant A-Levels for this sector.

Physics • Biology • Chemistry • Health and Social Care • IT • English

FOUNDATION DEGREES

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

COLLEGE COURSES

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

VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

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

www.careersworld.co.uk

REGIONAL FOCUS Nearly one sixth of employers in the North West region are reporting vacancies at the moment, so now’s a great time to join the health sector! The health sector in the North West currently employs over 220,000 people, accounting for around 14% of the total health work force in the UK. The largest concentration of health employees (and vacancies) can be found in Lancashire, in towns such as Blackburn, Blackpool and Preston.

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Myfuture OPEN MORNING ADVICE SESSIONS EVERY MONTH

CHECK WEBSITE FOR DATES

If you’re leaving school or college this year and aren’t sure of the next step - take a look at the full-time courses, degrees and work based apprenticeships available at Myerscough College.

There’s a great choice of subjects, excellent teaching and amazing facilities! Plus superb regional transport links and great on-site accommodation for 750 students.

Agriculture Animal Studies Arboriculture Basketball Cricket

Ecology and Conservation Equine Studies Farriery Fishing Studies Floral Design

Football Coaching Golf Coaching

Mechanisation

Sportsturf

Motorsports

Veterinary Nursing

Photography

Horticulture

Rugby

Landscape

Sport

Foundation Learning

Choose myerscough

Ofsted Outstanding for Agriculture & Countryside Top 5% of colleges nationwide for academic success £16 million campus building programme 95%+ student satisfaction with teaching Bursary Funds up to £1200 to support your learning Top two land-based colleges in NSS survey Daily bus services from across Lancashire

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Call us now on

@myerscoughcoll

01995 642211or visit www.myerscough.ac.uk

Myerscough College, Bilsborrow, Preston, Lancashire. PR3 0RY

Agriculture & Animal Care The UK is blessed with some of the most beautiful countryside in the world; rolling hills, green fields and more breathtaking views than you can shake a stick at. It’s also an important part of our economy, with farming, landscaping, conservation and national parks all bringing in money in various ways. Animal care is all about caring for animals (duh…); making sure they are fit and healthy, as well as grooming them for both domestic and professional use.

WHAT’S THE AGRICULTURE & ANIMAL CARE SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

outdoors! You could be in a field harvesting crops, on a farm looking after the animals or in a forest keeping everything natural looking. In an animal care environment, you could be working in a veterinary surgery treating people’s pets, or going out and about in your community doing house calls.

You could even be working at a race track helping horses prepare for their next big competition.

Agriculture is quite a broad term for land based industries such as farming, landscaping, environmental conservation and forestry. It also covers the manufacturing of machinery for various uses on farms, forests and foliage alike.

Animal Care involves the treatment of animals in both a domestic and professional environment.

HOW DOES THIS SECTOR Whether this is through COMPARE TO OTHERS veterinary means or if you ACROSS THE COUNTRY? are grooming the next Grand National winner, you’ll need Just under half of the people to know everything about the that work in this sector are self animals you will be looking after. employed, as most agricultural farms are family run businesses. the animal care side of WHAT KIND OF SALARY On things, the demand for qualified CAN I EXPECT TO EARN? veterinary staff is on the rise; Because this is such a broad the government predicts that sector, we can’t list all the from now until 2020, this sector salaries for every single job, but will require at least 44,000 as a rough guide, farm based people with a minimum Level job roles start at between 3 qualification in their chosen £10,000 and £13,000 and field. increase as you progress up the career ladder. Specialist career WHERE IS THE WORK paths such as farriery (making MOST CONCENTRATED? horseshoes) and park rangers (who look after our national It goes without saying that this parks) can start on around sector is focused on working £18,000 and be on upwards in the countryside, so don’t of £30,000 after experience. In be looking to the big cities for animal care, a veterinary nurse work! Most farms are family run can expect to start out on about businesses, but you might find £13,000, whereas professional some that are willing to take horse-groomers usually begin on apprentices. You’ll also find veterinary surgeries in nearly all on about £12,000. small towns and villages, but you’ll find it easier getting work WHAT KIND OF in surgeries that have a larger ENVIRONMENT WOULD I catchment area.

Amy Bowman, Level 2 Diploma in Agriculture Amy originally wanted to be a veterinary nurse but has so enjoyed working with the livestock on Reaseheath College’s campus farm in Cheshire that she has now decided to become a pig farmer!

Despite being a complete newcomer to agriculture she has mastered all stock duties, learning to milk the college’s top rate dairy herd and helping to deliver lambs for its commercial sheep flock.

But pigs have been her favourite. She has so enjoyed working on Reaseheath’s high welfare pig unit that she is looking for more work experience in Britain and possibly in Australia.

Interested in breeding - she has artificially inseminated sows and found the choice of sire particularly interesting - Amy is sure that farming will offer her a good career. She is looking forward to progressing onto her Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Agriculture.

She has also made the most of her Reaseheath Experience, becoming a student representative for her course and enjoying a busy social life.

Amy, 18, says: “The best thing about Reaseheath is that everyone makes you feel so welcome. I had no farming background at all but the staff were always there to help me. Farming is a good career provided you’re prepared to work hard.”

BE WORKING IN?

Well, given that it’s land based and animals are mostly found outside, then you’ll be doing most of your work in the great

Web: www.reaseheath.ac.uk/agriculture Tel: 01270 613242 Email: enquiries@reaseheath.ac.uk www.careersworld.co.uk

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Careers Choices So, do you think you could thrive in an Agricultural environment? If you don’t like working outside but still like the idea of working with animals, then perhaps you would want to consider a career in veterinary sciences or as an animal trainer! This sector is truly massive, so massive in fact that the job roles we’ve listed below don’t really begin to scratch the surface of what you can do! These are the most popular job roles you can expect to find:

HORTICULTURE & LANDSCAPING

Ever wondered what it is that makes our country that little bit more beautiful? From the city centre parks people stroll in to the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales, this sector is all about making the areas we visit look good. You might be arranging flowers in a local community or maintaining our national parks; either way you’ll be getting plenty of satisfaction from people taking in your work.

Your starting salary will be around £15,000, but could be more depending on what it is your working on.

VETERINARY NURSING

Animals get sick just like people do (and unlike people, they can’t drive themselves to the doctors; their feet can’t reach the pedals for one thing) and require treatment, checkups and if necessary, surgery.

Veterinary nurses assist vets in treating various different types of domestic animals, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, parrots and horses. You’ll learn all about the different types of animal anatomies, as well as the kinds of treatments each animal needs in each situation. Don’t be afraid to get your hands a bit messy in this industry!

Your starting salary will be around £14,000, FARM WORKER It’s not all big beards and wellies (although but Senior Veterinary Nurses earn around you should probably get a pair for this; £25,000. you might end up losing your trainers pretty quickly). Farming is hard work, but LAND BASED ENGINEERING the rewards that come out of it, in terms As you can imagine, farm working involves a of money and pride, are well known. You heck of a lot of complex machinery, such as could be looking after animals such as threshers, harvesters, processors, tractors sheep, cows and pigs, or working with high- and many others. Land based engineers tech machinery cultivating and harvesting are responsible for building and maintaining crops. You can expect to earn around these machines, so an eye for mechanics £7,200 if you are aged 16 or over, while and systems will be handy here. Starting those who are 19 and over will expect to salaries in this sector are quite high and bring in around £10,000, rising to around usually between £20,000 and £26,000. £15,000 with experience.

RANGER

Rangers are responsible for keeping our national parks clean and tidy, while also making sure that the wildlife and plants are also kept healthy and safe. This is definitely a career for those who want to work outdoors but also for those who are avid about the environment and working with animals. Salaries start out at around £18,000, but Senior Rangers can earn in excess of £30,000.

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www.careersworld.co.uk

78,000 PEOPLE WORK IN ANIMAL CARE

86% 3,350

OF ANIMAL CARE BUSINESSES EMPLOY 5 STAFF OR LESS

AGRICULTURE RELATED BUSINESSES IN THE UK

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

APPRENTICESHIPS

If you are aged 16 and over you could enter an Apprenticeship, which would teach you the skills you need while you work and earn a salary. You’ll spend half your time in the classroom and half out on the job. Listed below are the apprenticeship frameworks for this sector, which when completed will give you a Level 2 qualification in the form of a BTEC, Diploma or NVQ: Game and Wildlife Management • Animal Care • Horticulture • Environmental Conservation • Land Based Engineering

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. Animal Care • Environmental Conservation • Game and Wildlife Management • Land Based Engineering • Veterinary Nursing

A-LEVELS

A-Levels are the most popular gateway into university and are sought after by employers. They are also useful for getting into more senior roles such as management and team leading. The following A-Levels will help you get into this sector: Biology • Chemistry • Maths • English • Geography • Geology

FOUNDATION DEGREES

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

COLLEGE COURSES

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

VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

These can be undertaken instead of doing A-Levels and can be done at Level 2 and 3.

They, like Apprenticeships, can result in a BTEC, NVQ or Diploma and are handy for getting into more specific job roles in this sector.

www.careersworld.co.uk

REGIONAL FOCUS The North West has a relatively small agriculture industry, but there are still over 4,300 people employed in a variety of land based job roles.

Those of you who favour a career in animal based job roles have a rosier outlook; there are around 6100 people working for just over 1,300 different employers. It’s also worth noting that a whopping 71% of people working in this sector are women, although the bulk of this comes from veterinary nursing roles which are generally favoured by women.

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TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT APPRENTICESHIPS WITH PRESTON’S COLLEGE At Preston’s College, we have Apprenticeships available in a range of industries from Accountancy to Motor Vehicle, Hairdressing to Laboratory Operations and much more.

If you want to earn while you learn call 01772 225186 now and speak to an advisor.

01772 225186 www.preston.ac.uk info@preston.ac.uk

Hair & Beauty From mullets to Mohawks, hair and beauty is something that we as people take very seriously. Everybody enjoys looking and feeling good and this sector is all about doing just that…

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE HAIR AND BEAUTY SECTOR?

Plenty of old ladies wanting perms.

No, only joking, there’s so much more to this career path and when you get confident enough to create your own styles and treatments it’s very rewarding to see them elsewhere.

WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

The starting salaries in this sector are relatively low, starting somewhere between £10,000 and £12,000 a year, but you will earn more as you gain experience.

WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

Unsurprisingly, this job is favoured more towards women. I haven’t seen many men giving me advice on which eye shadow would compliment my complexion (not that I’ve asked…), however the number of male hairdressers

is increasing. Whatever your gender, you’ll be working with customers on a day to day basis so make sure your customer service skills are top notch.

For therapists, the environment could be a nice relaxing spa area or if you go down the makeup line, you could find yourself in a department store or even in a TV studio!

WHERE WOULD I FIND THIS LINE OF WORK IN MY AREA?

Hair salons usually have link ups with local colleges and training providers and nearly all towns have at least two or three hairdressers, while high street employers such as Toni & Guy tend to be found in the bigger cities.

Sarah living the high life in sunny Doha If there was ever an example of the wonderful opportunities available following the completion of a Herbert of Liverpool Training apprenticeship then surely it is that of former student, Sarah Hayward.

Since graduating and achieving her Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Hairdressing, Sarah returned to the training centre to undertake the Award in Assessing Candidates (formerly known as the A1 Assessors Award) and has subsequently gained employment in a newly established training academy in Qatar’s exotic capital city of Doha.

Sarah is now assessing local apprentice hairdressers and loving life.

She said “I love it here, the way of life is brilliant and of course the sun helps! I was originally on holiday in the area and loved it so much I decided to see if I could find a job over here. There were assessor jobs in a new training academy coming up so that’s when I returned home to do the qualification at Herbert’s training centre. The aim is to work my way up the ladder and I’d definitely recommend anyone to take up the opportunity to experience another country and culture”.

Web: www.herbertofliverpooltraining.co.uk Tel: 0151 708 5258 Email: training@herbertofliverpool.co.uk

www.careersworld.co.uk

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135,640

PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED IN THE HAIRDRESSING & BEAUTY TREATMENT INDUSTRY THIS INDUSTRY HAS AN ANNUAL REVENUE OF AROUND

£4 BILLION HAIRDRESSING SALONS MAKE UP

75%

OF TOTAL REVENUE IN THE SECTOR

Careers Choices Here are the main careers in this job sector; obviously you can specialise but the four main Hair and Beauty areas are as follows:

HAIRDRESSING

It’s all about the hair here; you’ll be cutting, styling, colouring, washing, perming and making people’s hair look exactly how they want it to. You will begin as an apprentice working in a salon before gradually taking on more and more responsibility as you complete your training. Many professionals move on to setting up their own businesses or even go into the film and television industry as part of the make-up department – the ambitious will always be rewarded in this role. Salaries begin at around £10,000, but rise to £16,000 with experience and qualifications.

SPA THERAPY

“Ahhh that’s better” – a phrase you’ll hear constantly in this career. Spa tourism contributes £1.4 billion a year to the UK economy and is growing all the time (everybody is so stressed these days). Spa Therapists offer a range of treatments that help improve somebody’s well being, such as facials, massages, aromatherapy and sauna. You can specialize in a particular area, such as holistic treatment, or have a general knowledge of all areas. Starting salary is between £12,000 and £14,000 a year.

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NAIL TECHNICIAN

Manicures and pedicures are the order of the day in this career; you will be focusing on improving and maintaining the skin and nails on both hands and feet. This might be through treatments such as hot wax therapy and foot wraps, or more artistic work such as airbrushing designs onto nails. This is for those who like to combine art and practicality, as you will have to have an eye for the creative and a steady hand to make those designs look good. You can expect to earn between £12,000 and £17,000 a year in this field, which is dependent on qualifications and experience.

BEAUTY THERAPY

Like Spa therapy, you will be tasked with enhancing the well-being of clients through a range of different methods, such as various different types of makeup (that’s mascara, lipstick, eye-shadow etc to you lads) or electronic treatments and hair removal methods. The salaries vary depending on whether you work for a department store or a private firm, but the average starting salary is between £12,000 and £17,000 a year.

www.careersworld.co.uk

Where to begin If beautifying and energising is part of your dream career, then consider the following courses to help you on your way….

APPRENTICESHIPS

The majority of people aged 18-30 in this sector have an apprenticeship, so it’s always a good place to start. Half your learning will be on the job and half in the classroom and you can do them in range of subjects from barbering (hairdressing really) to spa therapy. Here are some of the Apprenticeship frameworks relevant to this sector with the careers you will see and they will result in a level 2 qualification such as an NVQ, BTEC or Diploma.

Hairdressing • Beauty Therapy • Beauty Therapy (Make-up) • Nail Services

A-LEVELS

Unfortunately, there isn’t an A-level course in Hair and Beauty, but this sector is all about your customer service and personality rather than your academic qualifications. However, if you were interested in progressing into management or even taking on your own business, these courses may help you onto the right path: Business Studies • Economics • ICT

FOUNDATION DEGREES

A foundation degree is a great way to gain a higher education qualification while learning practical skills. They are designed by universities and employers to give you both ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPS Like an apprenticeship, these are great a qualification and the experience to carry for people who prefer to work while they into the working world. learn. Many people find that it’s a natural progression to go onto Level 3 because of the They are the equivalent to the first two years experience they get from doing so. A Level of an honours degree and many people 3 qualification is yours for upon completion, take them having worked in the sector for such as an NVQ, BTEC or Diploma. Here some time. There are various courses are the relevant Apprenticeship Frameworks available, such as Salon and Business Management. for your sector: Hairdressing/Barbering • Beauty Therapy • Nail Services

COLLEGE COURSES

Colleges are also a good way to get into this sector; it is more learning based, but there is a fairly heavy practical element as well.

To find out which colleges have courses relevant to the Hair and Beauty sector, visit www.careersworld.co.uk.

Alternatively, check your local council to see which colleges provide courses. www.careersworld.co.uk

REGIONAL FOCUS With so many large towns and cities in the area, you won’t struggle to find work in hair and beauty around these parts! There are a number of hair and beauty schools throughout the region, such as the Liverpool Beauty Academy and the Cheshire Make-Up Academy. Almost 14% of the total hair and beauty workforce are based in our region; close to 33,300 people are currently working in various hair and beauty job roles in our area.

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Engineering You can engineer pretty much anything these days and it’s a sector that we rely on heavily to produce some important stuff!

Aeroplanes, toxic chemicals, skyscrapers, cruise liners and tanks are all a result of an engineer’s thoughts. Read on to find out how you can get into this sector…

WHAT’S THE ENGINEERING SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

Well, it certainly covers a lot of ground.

Engineering is so diverse that pretty much everything you see around you is the product of engineering.

It’s about creating technology to help us advance as people; engineers were behind the first aeroplane, the first cannon, the first microwave and even the first tin of beans. But it’s not just about creation, it’s also about improving; F1 teams use engineers to make their cars faster and lighter and car manufacturers always need new designs to keep ahead in the market.

WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

This is a very big sector, so you can expect a very big salary as you become more qualified.

Starting salaries are around £17,000 and the average, fully qualified engineer can expect to earn £43,000 a year. Of course, the more specialised you go, the more you will get!

WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

Most engineers work in factories, but some fields such as chemical engineering might require you to work in a laboratory with complex equipment or in the case of Marine Engineers, on a boat in the middle of the ocean!

HOW DOES THIS SECTOR COMPARE TO OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

As we’ve mentioned a billion times already, engineering is a huge part of the UK economy.

In fact, it comprises one fifth of it. Over half the people who work in Engineering are in managerial and professional roles, so there is an obvious route to progression in this sector.

WHERE IS THE WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

The North of England is one of the leading areas in the world for this sector; there’s aerospace, automotive, chemical and marine engineering in that region, but speaking more locally, most factories and plants are where the action is. Naturally, most work is on industrial estates so be prepared to look around to find the type of engineering you would like to work with.

Rebecca pursues her dream career in engineering!

Nineteen year old Rebecca Davies applied for an Apprenticeship at MBDA UK Ltd after three weeks voluntary work experience.

Following on from this she then went back to school with a passion for Engineering and changed her GCSE’s to Engineering after much persuasion on her part to her teachers who were very much against the idea. Rebecca Davies is now studying an Advanced Apprenticeship in Technical Engineering through Alliance Learning and is employed by MBDA UK Ltd, a world leader in missiles and missile systems.

Rebecca’s current role involves design support, solving many electronic, mechanical and testing problems. She also leads on work experience guiding students around the company and giving them an understanding of work. Rebecca is also part of the charity challenge team and is involved in organising and supporting fund raising activities across the site.

Rebecca’s employer Gareth Humphreys MBE goes onto say, “Rebecca is an individual who likes to be busy, she has an appetite for work and is always well motivated, she has also demonstrated a high level of maturity and confidence in her work beyond what was expected of an apprentice.”

Rebecca is currently focussed on completing her Advanced Apprenticeship in Technical Engineering along with her HNC in Electronic Engineering. On completion of these courses Rebecca is looking to progress onto her HND and also her NVQ Level 4. Through hard work during her Apprenticeship she has been able to buy her own car, great holidays and no debt which she would never have had if she had chosen university. She is now prepared for challenges she may face in her career and is excited for the future both in work and out.

Web: www.alliancelearning.co.uk

www.careersworld.co.uk

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Careers Choices Engineering is behind the creation of pretty much everything in the world. That’s a bold statement, but everything you see around you was at some point in time a thought in the mind of an engineer. You need a logical thought process, patience and a willingness to improve on what you’ve already done. No project is ever quite finished and there is always a little more to tweak and make better, faster or stronger. Here are the main areas of the Engineering industry.

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

This sounds pretty complicated and it kind of is, as it deals with combining complex chemicals to produce products. However, it’s behind the advancement of some of our best medical cures and vaccinations, as well as creating new materials that are used in other areas of Engineering.

METALS ENGINEERING

Everything you see that’s made from a metal was engineered by this industry.

Metal production is vitally important and it contributes £15 billion a year to our economy.

Plus with recycling on the increase, the industry will continue to grow and grow.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Electrical Engineering covers everything from the smallest microchips to ensuring the national grid (responsible for the power flowing into our homes) is running smoothly.

It covers maintenance and creation, as well as evaluating systems for improvement.

MARINE ENGINEERING

Marine Engineering covers all things oceanic. You could be designing cruise liners, fishing boats and other aquatic vehicles. It also covers offshore oilrigs and wind farms. As the UK is an island, there’s plenty of business to be had in this sector!

DEFENCE ENGINEERING

Although most engineers that work in defence would probably fall into one of the above categories, there are projects (such as missiles, aircraft, satellites, advanced technology) that fall into a separate category. Some projects are kept top secret and require specialists to work on, so if you choose to follow this path, keep it on the low down…..

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

Engineering pays very well, as there is a large demand for it. Starting salaries are around £20,000 and can go well over £40,000 with training and experience.

AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

Did you know that the UK is the second largest manufacturer of space vehicles in the world? Aerospace covers satellites, commercial and military aircraft, space shuttles and all the bits that make them up.

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www.careersworld.co.uk

AN ESTIMATED

154,400

PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED IN AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL CAR MANUFACTURERS HAVE UK BASED PRODUCTION SITES

96%

OF THE WORKFORCE IS FULL-TIME

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

As you can see, there are a lot of choices to make regarding this sector. It’s one of those careers where you specialise and stay on a particular path, so make sure you choose the right job for you. Here are the frameworks you can expect to see in this industry and all Apprenticeships result in a Level 2 BTEC, Diploma or NVQ. Engineering • Engineering Construction • Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration • Industrial Applications • Marine Industry

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.

Engineers with Advanced Apprenticeships tend to progress to management a lot quicker than those without, as the skills they learn help them progress. 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. Engineering • Engineering Construction • Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration • Marine Industry

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: Biology • Chemistry • Design and Technology • Maths • Marine Science • Physics

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. They are available in a range of engineering subjects, including marine, aircraft and chemical.

COLLEGE COURSES

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

A higher Apprenticeship (NVQ Level 4) is also available in Engineering Technology. www.careersworld.co.uk

REGIONAL FOCUS It’s fair to say that the North has always had a strong connection with manufacture and engineering. The port of Liverpool has connections to a wide variety of different engineering disciplines, such as chemical (Essar Energy), automotive (Vauxhall) and aerospace (BAE). If you like frozen treats, then it’ll please you to know that the world’s leading manufacturer of ice cream vans is also located in your area, just outside of Crewe!

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p u ro g g in in a tr s c n la h rt o n ...the home of Apprenticeships At NLTG we have over 44 years of experience in providing full time Apprenticeships to 16 - 18* year olds, leading to a full time permanent career.

We currently deliver Apprenticeships to over 3,000 learners in the industries below: Furniture Occupations Catering and Hospitality ery in o J d n a y tr n e p r Ca Business Administration Information Technology Customer Service Woodmachining Glass Occupations Warehouse and Storage General Manufacturing ing Food Manufactur

To apply or to find out about our current Apprenticeship vacancies, please visit our website www.nltg.co.uk or give us a call on 01254 395355 *Age limits set in relation to Government Funding are an exception under article 3.3 of EC Directive 2000/78 and the Equality Act 2010 (age).

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

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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.

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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 There are more than 193,000 people working in Logistics in the North West and with thousands more job roles needing filling, there’s never been a better time to start a career in this sector! With access to the M62 (which starts in Liverpool and runs right across the country, ending at Hull), and the M6 (which goes North to Scotland and South to Birmingham) motorways imports and exports can get to and from the area quickly!

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Your Career,

Your Choice.

We couldn’t possibly print an article for every sector; we’d have to change the name to ‘Careers World Textbook’! But, we also understand that the five sectors covered on the previous pages might not be to your tastes. Not to worry! Below are the other sectors we cover, which we will detail more in upcoming issues.

You’ll also find some example job roles, expected starting salaries and the qualifications you can study to get into the sector to give you an idea of what to expect from each sector.

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

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! www.careersworld.co.uk

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

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)

41

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.

CREATIVE, MEDIA & THE ARTS

What do television, theatre, radio, the music business, cinema, cartoons, the internet and art galleries have in common? They all have related job roles within this sector! The underlying theme of this sector is obviously entertainment; from witty comedy panel shows to historic paintings, there are job roles to suit every type of creative out there! You could be doing makeup, scouting for locations, designing sets and graphics or even presenting your own show! If you have a bubbly, confident personality, then this sector could be for you!

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.

FINANCE & LAW

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

42

www.careersworld.co.uk

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: Radio Broadcast Assistant • Wardrobe Assistant • Location Scout • Camera Crew • Lighting/Rigging • Animator • Curator • Art Restorer Salaries: Starting salaries in the creative sector tend to start out around the £13,000 mark.

Qualifications: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • A-Levels (English, Art, Photography and Graphic Design are all good to have) • College Courses • Foundation Degree

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

Example Job Roles: Paralegal Assistant • Finance Assistant • Payroll Clerk • Finance Advisor • Legal Administration Assistant Salaries: Expect your salary to start at around £14,000 for the legal sector, while you’ll be starting on around £11,000 in a financial role.

Qualifications: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • A-Levels • College Courses • Foundation Degrees

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.

MANUFACTURING & PROCESSING

This is a sector that is, to all intents and purposes, all about making things. What that thing is could be anything from a microwaveable chicken curry to a car windscreen. It’s literally that diverse. Food and drink, metals, ceramics, textiles, building materials, electronics are just some of the areas you could be working in.

Manufacturing is split into so many different areas and job roles that we could probably dedicate a whole magazine to it! Your work could take you from an offshore oil rig in the North Sea to a production line in a factory on home soil!

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.

TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY

Everybody needs to let their hair down from time to time and this sector allows you to work in an area dedicated to helping people have a good time. That could be here in the UK working in bars, restaurants and hotels or abroad acting as a holiday representative or a travel agent.

That’s right; you could actually go on holiday for a living! This sector is ideal for those with good people skills, as you’d be working with plenty of different people from all sorts of backgrounds.

Travel is also a great way to get out and see the world while also earning a salary!

www.careersworld.co.uk

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: Production Line Supervisor • Extraction Operative • Pipe Fitter • Welder • Refrigeration Technician • Jewellery Technician Salaries: You can expect to start out on around £12,000, but supervisory roles tend to pay more.

Qualifications: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • A-Levels (Any technology or science subjects would be useful in this sector) • 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

Example Job Roles: Bar Staff • Front/Back of House Staff • Chef de Partie • Overseas Rep • Travel Representative • Cabin Crew Salaries: Starting salaries are between £11,000 and £16,000.

Qualifications: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • College Courses • Foundation Degrees • Industry Specific Qualifications

43

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

Improve learning, attainment & employability

“

This programme has had a profound impact in our school.

Our students’ selfesteem has been enhanced by their active involvement in a programme that promotes independent learning and citizenship.

Help your students to achieve their potential Brathay Trust is passionate about supporting schools in their efforts to inspire students to achieve their potential.

We have a portfolio of programmes each designed to fulfil a range of aims and objectives: Improve GCSE grades – Supporting transition – Re-engaging with learning – Leadership – Peer mentoring – Cross community and multi-school integration – Student voice and Prefect training – Increasing confidence and self-esteem

“

Our programmes benefit students by:

Head teacher, Hertfordshire

Incorporating experiential learning to enhance motivational skills and support independence and attainment

Get in touch!

Follow us on twitter @brathay

For further information on Brathay and our programmes:

e: brathay@brathay.org.uk | t: 0844 225 3100

www.brathayyouth.org.uk Brathay is the trading name of Brathay Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales.

Company Registration Number: 2814206; Charity Registration Number: 1021586; Scottish Charity Number: SC038803; VAT Number: 161 8631 08; Registered Office: Brathay Hall, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0HP

Find us on facebook BrathayTrust

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

47

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...

48

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

3

4+

BTEC 2 NATIONALS

LEVEL

DIPLOMA OF

LEVEL

NVQs

LEVEL

NVQs

ADVANCED DIPLOMAS

LEVEL

BTEC HIGHER NATIONALS (HND, HNC)

OCR NATIONALS

LEVEL

LEVEL

LEVEL

BTEC FIRSTS

LEVEL

LEVEL

NVQs

LEVEL

1

1

FOUNDATION LEVEL 3 DEGREES 4+

LEVEL

HIGHER APPRENTICESHIPS

APPRENTICESHIPS

FOUNDATIONS 1

A LEVELS

2

2

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

4+ LEVEL

4+

SPECIALIST LEVEL 4+ 3 AWARDS

LEVEL

3

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

49

Want a career in Science or Healthcare?

Want to study exceptional Science at A Level?

Liverpool Life Sciences UTC is the first school in the UK specialising in Science and Healthcare for 14 to 19 year olds.

The UTC will provide an outstanding academic and vocational education by working closely with local employers and the University of Liverpool to create the next generation of scientists, healthcare practitioners and entrepreneurs.

If you are thinking about your GCSE or A Level options, and love science, you’ll want to find out more about this brand new education opportunity for 14-19 year olds.

Now accepting applications from 14–19 year olds of all abilities from Wirral, Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton and St Helens.

Secure your place today!

Our promise to you: A job, apprenticeship or university place when you successfully complete your programme of study.

Events happen weekly, please visit the website for more details CUC Building, Greenland Street, Liverpool, L1 0BS

Our Sponsors

The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals

The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust

NHS Trust

Our Partners

www.lifesciencesutc.co.uk

Did you know that you can change school at 14 or 16?

Want a career in digital art, coding or entrepreneurship?

The Studio is the first school in the UK specialising in gaming

contents

and digital media for 14 to 19 year olds. You will be equipped with contents What is a appropriate skills, qualifications and experiences Lead Sponsor to enable you to Studio School? secure a job in this sector or to become a young entrepreneur.

Message from our Sponsors What is a Lead Sponsor North Liverpool Studio School?

If you are thinking about Academy Message from our Sponsors Weekly open events will be taking place in your GCSE or A Level options North Liverpool Academy our new building and you love all things creative and digital, you’ll want to find out more about this brand new education CUC Building, Greenland Street, Liverpool, L1 0BS opportunity for 14-19 year olds living in Merseyside.

Visit our website for times and dates www.thestudio-liverpool.co.uk

A Studio School is a new state school model for 14 to 19 year olds of all abilities. They seek to address the growing gap between what young people require to succeed in life and the skills and knowledge that the current education system provides. Studio Schools will pioneer a bold new approach to learning involving enterprise projects and real work. This will root students’ learning in the real world and will help them to develop the skills they need to succeed.

A Studio School is a new state school model for 14 to 19 year olds of all abilities. They seek to address the growing gap between what young

people require to site succeed in life and the skills and knowledge that the North Liverpool Academy opened in September 2006, moving to its present in current provides. Studio Schools will pioneer a bold September 2009. The facilities are amongst the best in the world,education supportingsystem a purposeful newstudents approach to learning work.

Thisday runs from 8:30am to 5:30pm • The school ethos of Business and Enterprise from the very first day the arrive.

North involving enterprise projects and real will root students’ Liverpool Academy aims to provide every student in the area with access to alearning first classin the real world and will help them to develop • There are 40 weeks in a school year education, regardless of background or ability. The local community is rated in the top 1% the skills they need to succeed. for levels of deprivation.

North Liverpool Academy opened in September 2006, moving to its present site in September 2009. The facilities are amongst the best in the world, supporting a purposefulIt is already bringing about significant improvement to secondary education in the area • The school day runs from 8:30am to 5:30pm ethos of Business and Enterprise from the very first day the students arrive. North including: Liverpool Academy aims to provide every student in the area with access to a first class • There are 40 weeks in a school year C and above education, regardless of background or ability. The local community is rated in the top 1% • 100% pass rate for 5 GCSE grade for levels of deprivation.

• 100% pass rate at A Level

It is already bringing about significant improvement to secondary education in the area including: • 100% pass rate for 5 GCSE grade C and above • 100% pass rate at A Level

• This adds a whole extra year of instruction for

two years a student • Top of the UK league table for CVAevery (Contextual Value Added)is in the Studio School

• This adds a whole extra year of instruction for every two years a student is in the Studio School

• The curriculum content is determined andSchools shaped are intentionally small with a • Studio through the partnership of employers and of 300 students so that each individual maximum universities student gets personalised attention.

• The CREATE model which is central to theisethos • There a broad general curriculum, and the core of a Studio School develops employability subjectsand of English, Maths and Science are taught enterprise skills through highly demanding technical projects

Studio Schoolsand areits intentionally • Awarded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted• for Leadership 6th form. small with a maximum of 300 students so that each individual • Each student will follow a Personalised Curriculum According to OFSTED the leadershipstudent of the principal and the Chair of Governors is gets personalised attention. outstanding. North Liverpool Academy prides itself on being ‘a place for everyone’ offering• Practical learning and work placements are a key • There is a broad general curriculum, and the core 21 vocational courses including Vehicle Engineering, Cisco Certified Engineering, Business feature of the Studio School Model Communication of English, Maths and Science areSchool. taught Studies and ICT therefore there is a subjects natural synergy for it to sponsor a Studio through highly demanding technical projects

students with the skills and knowledge to get a job According to OFSTED the leadership of the principal and the Chair of Governors is outstanding. North Liverpool Academy prides itself on being ‘a place for everyone’ offering 21 vocational courses including Vehicle Engineering, Cisco Certified Engineering, Business ■Studies Hear about how digital skills will help you to secure a career and ICT therefore there is a natural synergy for it to sponsor a Studio School. in many areas including marketing, education and science Our Partners ■ Meet our Principal, Shaun McInerney, and find out about our state of the art facilities, curriculum and our industry partners

Our Partners

Relating to people

Enterprise

Learners can communicate effectively through a variety of methods

Learners understand and are able to successfully interact with others in a range of circumstances

Learners are creative and have the initiative and skills to recognise and respond to opportunity

Thinking

Emotional intelligence

Learners understand and are able to effectively apply their knowledge and skills to a variety of situations

Learners are able to independently build connections, processing information to make reasoned judgements and solve problems

Learners understand and are able to manage theirs and others emotions, channelling them effectively and positively

School and learning

Research

Interpreting myself

Family and relationships

Analyse

Managing myself

Execute

Work and employment

Decision making

Interpreting others

Reflection

My local community

Enterprise

Learners understand and are able to successfully interact with others in a range of circumstances

Learners are creative and have the initiative and skills to recognise and respond to opportunity

Collaborate

Create

Express

Negotiate

Plan

Interpreting Present myself

Responsibility

Applied

Thinking

Learners can communicate effectively Emotional through a variety of intelligence methods

Learners understand and are able to effectively apply their knowledge and skills to a variety of situations

Learners are able to independently build connections, processing information to make reasoned judgements and solve problems

Learners understand and are ableExplain to manage theirs and others emotions, channelling them effectively and positively

Skill areas

Definition

Skill areas

Collaborate

Create

School and learning

Express

Negotiate

Plan

Family and relationships

Analyse

Managing myself

Execute

Work and employment

Decision making

Interpreting others

Reflection

My local community

Research

Secure your place today! www.thestudio-liverpool.co.uk Managing others

Wider world

contact@thestudio-liverpool.co.uk Tel: 0151 263 1034 03 Managing others

Wider world

02

• Practical learning and work placements are a key feature of the Studio School Model

Applied

Relating to people

Explain

Responsibility

• Each student will follow a Personalised Curriculum

Definition

Communication

Present

02

• The CREATE model which is central to the ethos of a Studio School develops employability and enterprise skills

Now accepting applications from 14-19 year olds of all abilities from Wirral, Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton and St Helens.

of the UK league for CVA (Contextual Added) ■• TopFind outtableabout howValue industry experts will help equip our • Awarded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted for Leadership and its 6th form.

• The curriculum content is determined and shaped through the partnership of employers and universities

03

c:\Useful Links>_

UNIS University of Bolton www.bolton.ac.uk 01204 900600 University of Central Lancashire www.uclan.ac.uk 01772 201201 University of Chester www.chester.ac.uk 01244 512800 University of Cumbria www.cumbria.ac.uk 01228 400301 Edge Hill University www.edgehill.ac.uk 01695 575171 Lancaster University www.lancs.ac.uk 01524 592029 Liverpool Hope University www.hope.ac.uk 0151 291 3000 Liverpool John Moores University www.ljmu.ac.uk 0151 231 5090 The University of Manchester www.manchester.ac.uk 0161 275 2077 The Manchester Metropolitan University www.mmu.ac.uk 0161 247 2000 The University of Salford www.salford.ac.uk 0161 295 5000

UNIVERSITY TECHNICAL COLLEGES Birkenhead UTC www.utcolleges.org 0151 647 4747 Burnley UTC www.visionslearningtrust. co.uk 01254 54659 Energy Coast UTC www.utcolleges.org 01900 605 665 Liverpool Life Sciences UTC www.lifesciencesutc. co.uk 07738 730 540

Liverpool Low Carbon and Superport UTC www.utcolleges.org 0151 231 3510

West Lancashire College www.westlancs.ac.uk 01695 52300

Royal Northern College of Music www.rncm.ac.uk 0161 907 5200

Media City UTC www.utcolleges.org 020 7925 7900

St. Mary’s College www.stmarysblackburn. ac.uk 01254 580464

Oldham College www.oldham.ac.uk 0161 785 4000

Wigan UTC www.utcolleges.org 01942 761 523

COLLEGES

LANCASHIRE

CUMBRIA Newton Rigg College www.newtonrigg.ac.uk 01768 893400

Accrington and Rossendale College www.accross.ac.uk 01254 389933

Barrow in Furness Sixth Form College www.barrow6fc.ac.uk 01229 828377

Blackburn College www.blackburn.ac.uk 01254 55144

Carlisle College www.carlisle.ac.uk 01228 822 700

Blackpool and Fylde College www.blackpool.ac.uk 01253 504343

Furness College www.furness.ac.uk 01229 825017

Blackpool Sixth Form College www.blackpoolsixth.ac.uk 01253 394911 Bolton College www.boltoncollege.ac.uk 01204 482000 Bolton Sixth Form College www.bolton-sfc.ac.uk 01204 846215 Burnley College www.burnley.ac.uk 01282 733373 Bury College www.burycollege.ac.uk 0161 280 8280 Cardinal Newman College www.cardinalnewman. org.uk 01772 460181 Holy Cross College www.holycross.ac.uk 0161 762 4500 Myerscough College www.myerscough.ac.uk 01995 642211 Nelson and Colne College www.nelson.ac.uk 01282 440200 Preston’s College www.preston.ac.uk 01772 22 5522

Kendal College www.kendal.ac.uk 01539 814 700 Lakes College West Cumbria www.lcwc.ac.uk 01946 839300 Lancaster and Morecambe College www.lmc.ac.uk 0800 306 306

GREATER MANCHESTER Ashton Under Lyme Sixth Form College www.asfc.ac.uk 0161 330 2330 The Cooperative College www.co-op.ac.uk 0161 819 3000 Hopwood College www.hopwood.ac.uk 0161 643 7560 Loreto Sixth Form College www.loreto.ac.uk 0161 226 5156 Macclesfield College www.macclesfield.ac.uk 01625 410002 Manchester Business School www.mbs.ac.uk 0161 820 8344

Runshaw College www.runshaw.ac.uk 01772 622677 www.careersworld.co.uk

Oldham Sixth Form College www.osfc.ac.uk 0161 287 8000 Salford College www.salford-col.ac.uk 0161 631 5000 Tameside College www.tameside.ac.uk 0161 908 6789 The Manchester College www.themanchester college.ac.uk 0161 203 2100 Trafford College www.trafford.ac.uk 0161 886 7070 Wigan and Leigh College www.wigan-leigh.ac.uk 01942 76 1111 Winstanley College www.winstanley.ac.uk 01695 633244 Xaverian College www.xaverian.ac.uk 0161 224 1781

MERSEYSIDE Birkenhead Sixth Form College www.bsfc.ac.uk 0151 652 5575 Carmel College www.carmel.ac.uk 01744 452200 Hugh Baird College www.hughbaird.ac.uk 0151 353 4444 King George V College www.kgv.ac.uk 01704 530601 Knowsley Community College www.knowsleycollege. ac.uk 0151 4775850 Liverpool Community College www.liv-coll.ac.uk 0151 252 3000 Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts www.lipa.ac.uk 0151 330 3000

Maritime and Engineering College North West www.mecnw.co.uk 0151 666 1028 Southport College www.southport-college. ac.uk 01704 500606 St. Helens College www.sthelens.ac.uk 01744 733766 St. John Rigby Sixth Form College www.sjr.ac.uk 01942 214797 Wirral Metropolitan College www.wmc.ac.uk 0151 551 7777

CHESHIRE Aquinas College www.aquinas.ac.uk 0161 483 3237 Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College www.camsfc.ac.uk 0161 4846600 Mid Cheshire College www.midchesh.ac.uk 01606 74444 Priestley College www.priestleycollege. ac.uk 01925 633591 Reaseheath College www.reaseheath.ac.uk 01270 625131 Riverside College www.riversidecollege. ac.uk 0151 257 2800 Sir John Deane’s College www.sjd.ac.uk 01606 810020 South Cheshire College www.s-cheshire.ac.uk 01270 654654 Stockport College www.stockport.ac.uk 0161 958 3100 Warrington Collegiate Institute www.warrington.ac.uk 01925 494 494 West Cheshire College www.west-cheshire.ac.uk 01244 656555

51

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!

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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

53

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.

54

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

55

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?

56

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.

Where do I go next?

Apprentices can get paid up to ÂŁ210 per week

FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

Deciding what to do after college or university can be a daunting experience, and choosing which career path to take is often a difficult decision.

North West England is home to hundreds of aerospace companies, many of which offer apprenticeships or graduate schemes in a variety of roles– from project management to finance to engineering.

So if the wish list for your ideal job includes above average pay, excellent training opportunities and global travel; a career in aerospace could be for you!

Check out the Take Off in Aerospace web pages for video case studies, day in the life profiles, careers information and where to find your local aerospace companies.

www.makeit.org.uk/aerospace

A levels, apprenticeships & vocational qualifications For an experience you’ll never forget.

State-of-the-art facilities at campuses across Manchester All 16-18 students at The Manchester College receive their very own Experience Card on enrolment. Once you’re a member of this exclusive club you’ll be eligible for hundreds of exciting offers and you’ll be invited to some exclusive VIP events.

Apply now 0161 203 2100 www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk facebook.com/TheManchesterCollege @TheMcrCollege

Satur day 1 2th O ctobe 11am r 201 Thur 3 2 pm sday 7th N ovem 5pm - 8pm ber 2013 Satur day 8 th F 11am ebruary 2 014 - 2pm Thur sday 5th J une 5pm - 8pm 2014