Careers World West Midlands AUTUMN 2013 by Open Doors Media Ltd

WEST MIDLANDS 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

APPLY L-Earn   

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

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

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

Construction

27 39

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

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

Finance & Law

Agriculture & Animal Care

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!

Travel & Hospitality

Engineering

Some commonly asked questions about this time of year.

23 35 49

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

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

And now for something completely different...

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

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Editor | Tom Haymes editor@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: 2050-6627

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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

Each issue, we ask our editor to give you a roundup of the topics that are going to aﬀect you, as well as the choices you need to make about your future. As you could imagine, there are plenty of things going on that tend to stay behind the scenes. Usually, you’d have to go through pages of information to learn all this, but don’t worry; we’ve done all that for you! Without further ado, we’ll introduce our editor!

MEET THE EDITOR

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

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

WHAT IS RPA?

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

WHY CHANGE IT?

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

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

CHOICES, CHOICES...

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

•

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

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

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

WHO IT AFFECTS

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

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

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

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

WHO THEY’RE FOR

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

www.careersworld.co.uk

WHAT YOU’LL GET OUT OF IT

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

FINAL THOUGHTS...

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

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

GETTING ONTO A TRAINEESHIP SCHEME

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

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

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

FINISHING THE COURSE

FINAL THOUGHTS...

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

www.careersworld.co.uk

CHOOSE SOLIHULL COLLEGE

Vocational Courses Foundation Learning Apprenticeships Traineeships

www.solihull.ac.uk

Scan here to view our interactive prospectus

Section Heading

expert /’ekspərt/

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

Ask the Experts

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

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

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

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

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

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN APPLICANT?

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

www.careersworld.co.uk

WHAT WOULD THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOUR APPLICANTS?

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

IF YOU HAVE ONE TIP, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

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

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

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

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

Web: www.dmu.ac.uk

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?

Warwickshire College is one of the largest general further and higher education colleges in the UK, providing high quality education and training for individuals and organisations at a local, regional, national and international level. The college has six centres in Leamington, Warwick, Rugby, Moreton Morrell, Henley-in-Arden and Pershore in Worcestershire.

As one of the largest general further and higher education colleges in the UK, we are proud to deliver outstanding teaching and learning for our students in excellent facilities. But we also know that in the current economic climate, just having a qualiﬁcation isn’t enough for many employers. This is why, as a Gazelle College, we offer our students more than just a qualiﬁcation… From A Levels to Apprenticeships, we give you the chance to develop

Web: www.warwickshire.ac.uk

www.careersworld.co.uk

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

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN APPLICANT?

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

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

WHAT WOULD THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOUR APPLICANTS?

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

IF YOU HAVE ONE TIP, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

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

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

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 employability skills such as creative thinking, their personal qualities as well as their communication skills, problem-solving and technical skills. time-management to help you create a successful future career. WHAT WOULD THE FUTURE HOLD FOR You will also have opportunities to work in commercial environments, attend unique events and take part in enterprise competitions - opportunities which add real credibility to your CV or UCAS statement.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN APPLICANT?

The main quality we look for in our applicants is that they are passionate about their subject, and show a real commitment to learning. The applicants that really stand out are those that are interested in developing

YOUR APPLICANTS?

Some of our students will continue their studies and go on to higher education, either with the college or at university. For those who want to get a job straight away, our aim is for our students to be ‘workready’ when they leave us, with more than just a qualiﬁcation.

successfully, from the ﬁrst pitch through to testing, piloting and completion, and have supported student ideas including a plant identiﬁcation system and tree surgery company.

IF YOU HAVE ONE TIP, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

It’s your future; take control of it. Don’t just do a course because your friends are doing it. Do your own research; go to open events and taster sessions, try different things out to ﬁnd out what you really want to do, If students are looking to start the own and where. Remember not all colleges business, then the college can support and courses are the same; make sure you them through our enterprise board - a panel choose what’s right for you. of business experts. The board ensures that the best ideas are worked on quickly and

www.careersworld.co.uk

We are keen to recruit young people who: Have or are predicted to gain five GCSEs at Grade A-C or who have completed AS, A levels or BTEC National in Engineering and are looking for a challenging and rewarding career. Get in touch today!

Be Creative at Bournville College The Creative Industries department at Bournville College offers a wide range of opportunities which tap into the talent and passions of the students in the subjects of art, media, music and English. Whether it is producing a vintage fashion photoshoot, hosting an exhibition in the Mailbox (Birmingham’s landmark shopping centre) or performing at the Birmingham Jazz Festival, creativity is oozing from every corner of Bournville College. Recently, students at Bournville College set up the Bournville Creative website (www.bournvillecreative.co.uk) - an online platform to showcase their work in the disciplines of art, textiles, music, media and creative writing. The project has enabled the students to develop skills in web development, advertising and social media, as well as work within a team to produce an online exhibition which represents their talent, passion and creativity. Bournville Creative’s website also features current news, events and course related information which keeps past, present and future students up-to-date with the college life. Sophie Jones, studying BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design who also participated in all recent projects commented: ‘There’s always something on the go at Bournville College, giving us fantastic opportunities to practice our creative skills. Participation in these projects can be used to enhance our portfolios and also helps us with having something to refer to in job and university interviews’. For information about courses in Art, Media, Music and English at Bournville College, visit the College at its upcoming Open Day on Saturday 23rd November 2013, 10am - 2pm.

Solihull College’s new £8.5 million motor vehicle and construction facility With applications from school leavers rising, Solihull College’s new £8.5 million motor vehicle and construction facility at the Woodlands Campus in Smith’s Wood is set to provide ‘a facility that is unparalleled in the Midlands’ from the start of the 2013/14 academic year. Proving its commitment to major Midlands industries such as construction, engineering, motor vehicle and aerospace, the College is continuing its dedication to providing first class facilities to students across the West Midlands. Andy Hatchwell, Senior Director at the Woodlands Campus explains what will make the College’s facilities stand out, “Our aim is to provide the best industrial practice with the ability to teach at an outstanding level. We will offer students the highest standard facilities and the latest in teaching technology to provide them with the best preparation for their chosen careers”. The new motor vehicle and construction facility will offer twelve new workshops including ones for motorcycles, MOT and motorsport. Decorating, brickwork and plastering will also have dedicated space in the new centre. Future Motor Vehicle Engineering students recently took part in an exciting taster day featuring a Formula 1 simulator (pictured).

Web: www.solihull.ac.uk/digimag Tel: 0121 678 7000 Web: www.bournville.ac.uk Tel: 0121 477 1300 Email: info@bournville.ac.uk

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BMet, be part of something big We may be the biggest college in the Midlands but we still believe in the personal touch. Our students are individuals and our aim is to understand what inspires you, we support you to discover where you want to get to and help you become the best you can be.

NEW College’s Redditch-based Construction Centre, Alliance House, has hosted a prestigious craft competition with the The Guild of Bricklayers.

Because we’re the biggest, we are able to offer you better facilities, more choice and stronger links with employers � to help you get your dream job and create your dream life. You only live once.

This year NEW College played host to students from 12 colleges from across the West Midlands as well as a range of local and national construction companies.

Benefits of studying at BMET: • Access to best facilities in the Midlands • Widest choice of courses in the Midlands • Access to prestigious employers such as BMW, Caterpillar, Dixons Retail, House of Fraser, IBM JLR, Midshires Business Systems, Mondalez Samsung and Wesleyan Assurance Society, for jobs, work experience placements and training • OfSTED rated good provision, with some areas of education being rated outstanding • Best sports department in the UK with consistently winning teams

The regional heat of the competition, which has been running since the 1960s, aimed to find the best student bricklayers from throughout the West Midlands, with the winners going through to a national competition in Cardiff later this year.

We have courses in just about everything. A Levels & GCSE, Apprenticeships, Art & Design, Beauty, Hair & Holistic Therapies, Business, Management & Professional, Computing & IT, Construction & Sustainable Technologies, Engineering, Fashion & Retail, Foundation Learning, Health, Social Care and Early Years, Hospitality & Catering, Land Based, Languages, Media, Music & Performance, Medical & Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teaching, Travel & Tourism, Uniformed Services.

President of the Guild of Bricklayers, Vic Scriven, said at the event “The students have produced some fantastic work and they all deserve to be congratulated.”

New for 2013 - The Greater Birmingham Professional Services Academy. For High Flyers who want to enter the world of finance, business, law and property. Working with top businesses like Deutsche Bank, Gately, GVA, KPMG, Laser, Lloyds Bank, and Wesleyan.

Web: www.bmet.ac.uk Tel: 0845 155 0101

NEW College hosts prestigious bricklaying competition

Nathan Brazier of Walsall College took home the trophy in the Junior Competition, and Mark Lines of South & City College Birmingham came first place in the Senior Competition. Winner of the Derek Spencer Award for significant achievement was Edward Silk, a junior competitor from NEW College.

NEW College Principal John Callaghan commented, “We’re very proud of the facilities we have here so we have been delighted to host this important competition. I’d like to congratulate all the competitors and I’m especially pleased that a NEW College student was among the winners as all the work has been of an extremely high standard. Craft skills are a valuable asset to employers and it’s something NEW College will continue to invest in.”

Web: www.discovernewcollege.com Tel: 01527 570020

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Looking for a career in engineering? Midland Group Training Services has a number of exciting employment opportunities for school and college leavers to undertake an engineering apprenticeship in Coventry and Warwickshire. An apprenticeship is an excellent route into an engineering career. An apprenticeship with MGTS provides both practical skills as well as academic study. Engineering is the use of Maths and Science to design, build and maintain structures, machines, systems and processes that are vital for our everyday lives. You need to have or are predicted achieve good GCSE grades A-C in English, Maths, and Science. You will be paid by your employer an average of £180 per week. This will increase annually as you gain more skills and so become more useful to your employer. As trained professionals, engineers are well paid and highly respected. Many get top jobs and even run their own companies. If you enjoy working as part of a team, like solving problems and have a practical flair, you’ll find engineering has a lot to offer. We have an excellent Technical Centre at Coventry where you’ll learn how to use the latest machinery and technical equipment.

Jordan Allcock, Higher Apprentice “University wasn’t for me - this is so much better” What’s it really like to be a Capgemini apprentice? Capgemini is one of the world’s biggest IT consultancy companies, helping its clients with technology problems and suggesting innovative solutions. At the moment, I’m working as a Software Engineer as part of the Microsoft team based in Sale. In a typical day, I get asked to fix technical problems for applications we’ve built and manage for clients. We rarely get the same problem twice - which is great because it means no two days are ever the same. Higher Apprentices are well supervised at Capgemini we have regular catch-up meetings to discuss progress and to set targets - and there’s always someone to ask if I have a problem I can’t fix myself. Teamworking and collaborative skills are a must, to build successful relationships with your clients, suppliers and colleagues. You also need communication, analytical and creative skills. And it’s good to be flexible about where you work, as you may have to travel to offices and client sites across the UK.” What happens at the end of your apprenticeship? That’s the best bit, a Capgemini apprenticeship isn’t just a training programme - it’s a full-time, permanent role from day one! At the moment I’m giving some thought to what I’ll do next. Working for a global company with offices around the world, means when you have completed the programme the opportunities are endless.

Web: www.mgts.co.uk/apprenticeships Tel: 024 7663 0333 Email: recruitment@mgts.co.uk

If you think an apprenticeship is for you, find out more or apply by visiting our website.

Web: www.uk.capgemini.com/careers

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

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

A world leAder of the AccountAncy And finAnce profession

Finance & Law

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

WHAT’S THE FINANCE AND LAW SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

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

CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

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

WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

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

WHERE IS THE WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

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

Eamonn, Audit Senior Bloomer Heaven Ltd, Birmingham I can’t say I’ve always wanted to be an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. It wasn’t until I studied business with finance at the University of Sheffield that I became very interested in accountancy. The ACA qualification stood out for me in particular when choosing a professional qualification, mainly because of the reputation the ICAEW has for being a world leader of the accountancy and finance profession. Having started as an Audit Trainee, I am now Audit Senior for Bloomer Heaven Ltd in Birmingham. The best thing about my role is getting out and meeting different people from a range of industries. The role is very diverse and there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ day. For anyone looking at a career in accountancy, I would definitely recommend it. The ACA has not only given me an early career boost but I believe it will continue to do so in the future. With the ACA qualification being so diverse and highly regarded amongst employers, it will provide a basis from which I can take my career as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant anywhere.

Web: icaew.com/careers Facebook: ICAEWStartingpoint

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

ACCOUNTANCY

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

FINANCIAL ADVICE

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

LEGAL ADMINISTRATION

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

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

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

BANKING

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

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MANAGERIAL ROLES ACCOUNT FOR

37%

OF THE WORKFORCE

47%

OF UK FIRMS EMPLOY 250 PEOPLE OR LESS

THE LEGAL SECTOR DEALS WITH OVER

500,000 CASES PER YEAR

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

APPRENTICESHIPS

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

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPS

These are the equivalent to A-Levels and can usually be joined after completing the associated Intermediate Apprenticeship. They are ideal for people who want a practical role as they learn while gaining valuable employment experience. People with Advanced Apprenticeships tend to progress up the ladder a lot quicker than those without, as the skills they learn are more suited to management and supervisory roles. Here are some of the Apprenticeship Frameworks for this sector and all of these will result in a Level 3 qualiﬁcation such as a BTEC, a Diploma or an NVQ. Accounting • Advising on Financial Products • Payroll • Providing Financial Services • Legal Services

FOUNDATION DEGREES

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

EMPLOYER FUNDED STUDY

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

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

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

A-LEVELS

A-Levels are the most popular gateway into university and are sought after by employers. Here are some of the relevant A-Levels for this sector: Maths • Economics • Business Studies • Law • Accounting • Statistics

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REGIONAL FOCUS Over 100,000 people in the West Midlands work in the ﬁnancial sector, across a varied range of job roles. This contributes to around 13% of the region’s GDP. The city of Birmingham has around 49,200 people employed in ﬁnancial and legal job roles, making it the region’s most important city for this sector. Despite this, the region has a relatively small amount of people in the legal sector, with just over 5% of people employed in legal based roles in the West Midlands.

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

WHAT KINDS OF CAREERS ARE AVAILABLE IN THIS SECTOR?

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

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY SECTOR?

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

WHAT KIND OF MONEY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

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

WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

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

IS THIS A POPULAR SECTOR TO WORK IN?

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

WHERE IS WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

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

Hospitality student offered internship in America A Hospitality and Catering Student, Ryan Banner from Worcester College of Technology has been offered a year cookery internship in Missouri, America at the Big Cedar Lodge, a luxury resort with five unique restaurants. The internship was offered by former student Leigh Mills, who studied on the Hospitality and Catering course at the College back in 2005. Leigh who now lives in America and works as a Sous Chef at Big Cedar travelled all the way back to Worcester, which was only the second time he has returned since 2005. Ryan who was studying a Level 2 Professional Cookery VRQ at Worcester College of commented: “I started off on the course not knowing what direction I wanted to take with my career, with very little cookery knowledge, and very little practical experience. Throughout the course I have developed my skills and have much more of a direction of where I would like to take my career in the future. My tutors have been really supportive; they recognise my limitations, as well as my strengths and have helped me to gain confidence in my abilities. It will be an excellent opportunity to gain practical skills, and get real life work experience as a chef!”

Web: www.wortech.ac.uk Tel: 01905 743456 Email: college@wortech.ac.uk

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

TRAVEL AGENT

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

CATERING

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

www.careersworld.co.uk

HOTELS & RESORTS

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

90% OF THE INDUSTRY WORK FULL-TIME

MORE THAN

218 MILLION PEOPLE USE AIRLINES EVERY YEAR

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

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

APPRENTICESHIPS

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

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPS

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

A-LEVELS

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

FOUNDATION DEGREES

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

COLLEGE COURSES

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

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REGIONAL FOCUS The West Midlands is a great place to start a career in Hospitality, with the region having over 15,000 different work places. Of course, the majority of these are found in the major cities such as Birmingham, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent and Wolverhampton. Birmingham is also a great place for travel, with the region’s only commercial airport found here (or at Bickenhill, to be precise!). Many of the country’s motorways also converge on Birmingham, providing the city with links to the rest of the country.

Construction Ever wondered how they built some of the most iconic buildings of our time? Perhaps you think Big Ben isn’t big enough, or that The Leaning Tower of Pisa is just a bit rubbish; if you think you can make a diﬀerence to the buildings we see, then the Construction industry is for you.

WHAT’S THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

Most of these job roles require working with heavy machinery so you’ll need some specialist training, just in case you end up driving a cement mixer onto the motorway. Or accidentally building an ofﬁce block on top of a graveyard.

Construction is a broad term for all things building related. It doesn’t just cover bricks, tiles and pipes; you’ll find a whole host of job roles that use skills such as problem solving, design HOW DOES THIS SECTOR and leadership. You could be COMPARE TO OTHERS planning a development project for a rundown area, installing ACROSS THE COUNTRY? plumbing systems or even Construction is one of the supervising a team working on country’s largest sectors; it a skyscraper! employs over 2.35 million people, which equates to WHAT KIND OF SALARY around 8% of the UK workforce. to the self employed nature CAN I EXPECT TO EARN? Due of this industry, a whopping The starting salaries in 92% of organisations employ construction are pretty high; less than 10 people, meaning most practical job roles start employment in private out at around £16,000. Jobs in companies is becoming harder things like civil engineering and to find. surveying tend to start out with a salary of around £15,000, but WHERE IS THE WORK fully qualified professionals can earn in excess of £40,000. It’s MOST CONCENTRATED? also worth noting that almost Unlike other industries, a third of this industry is self construction isn’t usually fixed employed; this means you set to one place; you’ll have to your own schedule and prices. go where the work is. The It could also mean getting up company you work for will have on a Monday morning would a catchment area which you just be for a slice of toast and a will work in; obviously larger cup of tea. companies will be able to cover larger geographical areas. Domestic construction, which WHAT KIND OF repairs and ENVIRONMENT WOULD I istheimprovements, building of housing, usually BE WORKING IN? takes place wherever the client A construction environment lives. New housing projects isn’t always just a building site; usually spring up on the you could be in a design studio outskirts of towns and villages, planning out the structure whereas larger buildings such of the building, or working as office blocks and commercial underground checking on the retail areas are usually built on maintenance of the gas and out of town business and retail water pipes. Heck, you could parks. be operating a crane at 150ft!

Good news - Willmott Dixon One of Sandwell’s most state-of-the-art projects has given nine Future Skills Sandwell trainees the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working on the construction of the £8m Tipton Swimming Leisure centre. This leisure facility boasts a 25 metre six lane pool and a 12.5 metre training pool amongst other state of the art leisure facilities. The apprentices working within the project have benefitted from gaining hands-on work experience and evidence towards achieving their individual Level 2 Apprenticeship framework. This has been a truly exceptional opportunity for all 9 youngsters, as being placed on such a high profile site has not only allowed them to work towards their full qualifications but has given them the chance to showcase their skills, knowledge and determination to succeed to developers and sub contractors and will hopefully lead to the chance to gain permanent opportunities. Cabinet member for Jobs and Economy at the time, Councillor Derek Rowley, said: “We are keen to ensure young people benefit from all the regeneration work under way in the borough.” Think Local, the Council’s Employment and Skills Initiative, work closely with all Sandwell Developments to support both the contractors and the young apprentices, sourced from Future Skills Sandwell apprenticeship programme, to ensure that employment and training opportunities are maximised under the Council’s ‘social’ clause’ commitment as a consequence of investment in the Borough.

Web: www.futureskillssandwell.com Tel: 0121 555 4350

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Careers Choices Were you a dab hand with Lego as a kid? Every structure you see, from your local corner shop to towering skyscrapers in the big cities, is a result of the Construction industry. This sector generates billions of pounds a year for the economy and has a diverse range of careers and roles to choose from. Whether you prefer working with tools outdoors on a site, in an ofﬁce designing buildings or installing facilities in people’s homes, there’s a career for everyone in this industry. There is an emphasis on teamwork, so if you enjoy working with others then this could be the career for you. And if not, you can work in your own ofﬁce giving plans and directions to others! Here are some of the more popular trades you can choose; we couldn’t possibly print them all, there are far too many!

PAINTING & DECORATING

It’s not as difﬁcult as your parents make it look! Painters and decorators can work in a variety of places on a wide range of projects, from wallpapering a bedroom to painting a hospital exterior. Salaries vary depending on experience, but senior supervisors can well over £30,000.

PLUMBING

Remember Super Mario? This is how he got started. You might not end up having a day like him, but your work will be just as varied; you could be repairing a broken pipeline, or installing a completely new system to your own design. Don’t be afraid to get a little wet in this line of work! Salaries usually range from £17,000 for newly qualified plumbers to £35,000 with BRICKLAYING A popular choice for people who like to progression. work with their hands, Bricklaying involves building, repairing and demolishing walls SCAFFOLDING using a variety of techniques. You can be Creating a safe working environment is as adventurous as you want; it isn’t just a priority in any career and scaffolders staring at a brick wall. Salaries usually provide this on a range of projects, from start at around £17,000, but rise with simple building sites to towering office experience. blocks. You will be building platforms for the construction crew to work on and can expect to earn between £17,000 and CIVIL ENGINEERING Civil Engineers design a whole range of £26,000. structures, such as bridges, pipelines and railways as well as drawing up plans for new buildings. You will work both in an office and on site so be prepared for a varied day! Salaries can be upwards of £36,000 with progression.

CARPENTRY & JOINERY

Wood. It’s all over the place. It’s the job of Carpenters and Joiners to take it and turn it into a useful product for widespread use. You could be carving an ornate staircase in a hotel, or building a roof support for a mansion. With experience you can expect to earn more than £30,000. www.careersworld.co.uk

PLASTERING

Plastering is now considered a specialist skill within this trade; from simple walls to extravagant statues, you will be creating something important wherever you work. You can expect to earn between £17,000 and £28,000 in this line of work.

SURVEYING

Surveyors are like teachers; they point out flaws in work and then tell you how to improve it. Or, they tell you to destroy it completely. There are so many roles in the field of Surveying, such as Cartography (that’s map making to you and me), improving run down areas of cities, developing land for future building work and so much more. Like the roles, the salary varies depending on what you specialise in, but a trainee surveyor can expect to start on £15,000 and earn up to £60,000+ in some fields.

92%

OF ORGANISATIONS IN THIS SECTOR EMPLOY LESS THAN 10 PEOPLE

55%

ARE EMPLOYED IN MANUAL OCCUPATIONS

37% ARE SELFEMPLOYED

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

APPRENTICESHIPS

This where most people in the industry start out. An apprenticeship allows you to learn you trade while also being paid a salary. There are many employers out there who provide apprenticeship schemes; to get an idea of who’s out there, head to websites on our ‘Useful Links’ page. Below you will ﬁnd the Apprenticeships frameworks relevant to this industry, which will give you an idea of what you’ll be able to choose from. All these frameworks result in a Level 2 qualiﬁcation, such as NVQ’s BTEC’s or Diplomas, are the equivalent of 5 GCSE passes and takes two years to complete. Construction Building • Construction Technical, Supervision and Management • Construction Civil Engineering • Construction Specialist

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPS

This is the equivalent of two A levels, but without sitting in a classroom studying. Like a regular Apprenticeship, it’s suited to more practical ﬁelds of work. Advanced Apprenticeships in construction only take a year and on completion you will receive a Level 3 Qualiﬁcation, again either a BTEC, an NVQ or a Diploma. Construction Building • Construction Technical, Supervision and Management • Construction Civil Engineering • Construction Specialist

COLLEGE COURSES

A college course is another way into this sector. To see if there are any colleges near you with relevant courses check out www.careersworld.co.uk

A-LEVELS

A-Levels might not sound relevant to this ﬁeld of work, but employers and universities both like candidates with scientiﬁc and practical subjects. Examples of A-Levels you can study are listed below: Physics • Chemistry • Graphic Design • Technology • Electronics • Maths • Geography

FOUNDATION DEGREES

If you feel like you want to experience the university lifestyle and perhaps break away from those troublesome parents, then a Foundation Degree is a way of getting there. They usually last two years (this does tend to vary depending on your choice of course) and mix study with practical learning. These courses are available across the country and might give you the opportunity to live away from home and give you more independence – you’ll get to choose your own bed time and everything.

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REGIONAL FOCUS Our region currently employs over 200,000 people in the construction industry and with regeneration projects popping up all the time (such as the £33 million project in Shirley – the place, not the person), there’s no better time to get into a career in construction. There’s a current demand for labourers and interior ﬁtters, while there’s little in the way of demand for plumbers, ﬁtters and mechanics.

Leamington

• Tuesday 1 October, 5:30pm – 8pm

Henley-in-Arden and Trident, Warwick • Wednesday 2 October, 5:30pm- 8pm

Rugby

• Thursday 3 October, 5:30pm – 8pm

Moreton Morrell and Pershore • Saturday 5 October, 10am-1pm

A levels • Accounting • Agriculture • Animal welfare • Arboriculture • Art and design • Beauty therapies • Blacksmithing • Brickwork • Business • Carpentry • Childcare • Construction • Cookery • Costume and fashion • Countryside • Dental nursing • Design and crafts • Equine • Electrical • Engineering • Enterprise • Event management • Farriery • Floristry • Food and drink • Forensic science • Furniture • Hairdressing • Health and social care • Horticulture • IT • Landscaping • Media • Motor vehicle • Music • Performing arts • Peter Jones Enterprise Academy • Photography • Plumbing • Public services • Sport, coaching and fitness • Travel and tourism • Veterinary nursing

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.

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

Lauren Page Twenty-one-year-old Lauren Page works as an advanced apprentice in the equine industry. “I decided on a career with horses at quite an early age” says Lauren, who has spent much of her life around horses. Lauren began her working life with no qualifications, so at first she found it challenging to evidence her knowledge of horses: “It was hard to get a job as everyone wanted proof of what I could do and I only had the words of family and friends, so I decided to look into NVQs.” Lauren joined a Gloucestershire-based training centre and went on to achieve an Apprenticeship in Work-Based Horse Care Level 2. She also undertook a Riding and Road Safety Course and is now working towards her Advanced Apprenticeship Diploma Level 3. A typical day for Lauren includes activities such as feeding and mucking out the horses, riding lessons, sweeping, sorting out bedding and undergoing stable management training. One aspect Lauren really enjoys in her role is teaching and “seeing clients improve their abilities” as well as improving her own riding skills. For Lauren, patience and initiative are two key skills in her role. She highlights teaching as part of the role that can sometimes prove challenging: “You need to find different styles to suit different clients of different abilities.” Lauren’s plans for the immediate future include completing her Advanced Apprenticeship Diploma Level 3 and going on to study further qualifications. In the long term, she would like to work on a competition yard, exercising horses and ensuring they are in good condition for shows and events. Web: www.lantra.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.

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

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 With so much countryside in the region, it’s unsurprising that there’s a lot of land and animal based job roles. Farming is a popular career choice in our region, with just over 2,500 businesses employing close to 14,500 people. Animal care is even favourable, with over 20,000 people employed in the West Midlands. 43% of these people work in skilled roles within the sector, such as tree surgery or dry stone walling.

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.

Aminah Bibi: Engineering my future Aminah Bibi is in Year 13 at Aston University Engineering Academy where she is studying A levels in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Product Design. Aminah says “Physics is my favourite subject because it is the science of ‘why’ and it dares to go where no other science has gone before. As I looked into options of where I could use Physics, Engineering kept coming up.” Aminah did not know much about engineering so she did her research, attended careers events and spoke to advisors. Aminah attended a presentation by Aston University Engineering Academy and was really excited to learn about the wide diversity of engineering sectors and potential careers. “I also learnt that there are low numbers of female engineers in the UK, and that companies are desperately trying to change this. The more I researched, the more I realised that I wanted to study Engineering as it incorporates Mathematics, Science and Design.” Aminah explains why she chose Aston: “I chose to apply to Aston University Engineering Academy because it has new state of the art; engineering workshops, robotics, CAD, and university standard Science laboratories, which are directly linked with industry. I am looking forward to studying A level Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Engineering, and going on to study Engineering at University. My aim is to become an engineer working in developing countries solving humanitarian problems using engineering solutions.”

Web: www.auea.co.uk Tel: 0121 380 0570

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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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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

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 The West Midlands contains 17% of all the engineering employment in the country! If that wasn’t enough, 15% of all engineering establishments in the UK are based in our region! The sector employs 213,000 people in our region across 10,430 engineering workplaces. Holden Aluminium in Linton make sports car chassis, while Bridgnorth Aluminium make foil for kitchen use.

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ARE

BOOK YOUR PLACE ON OUR OPEN DAY SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER WWW.DERBY.AC.UK/OPENDAYS

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)

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.

ENGINEERING

Engineering is a vast sector which can be broken down into seven main categories; chemicals, mechanical, metals, electrical, aerospace, marine and defence. Chemical engineers manufacture everyday products from raw materials such as crude oil. Mechanical engineers work with high-tech machinery, while the metal engineering industry covers the creation of steel and other alloys. Electrical engineers work with, you guessed it, electrical systems and aerospace is all about creating and improving things that ﬂy. Defence is all about, er, defending the country. Whichever area you

HAIR & BEAUTY

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

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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

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

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

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

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

IT, DIGITAL & TELECOMS

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

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!

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.

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

Ever wondered how that present you ordered online makes its way to your front door? Nearly every business makes use of Logistics at some point, whether it’s ordering new parts for a project, sending out a new product to stores or something as simple as sending a birthday card. You could ﬁnd yourself working at a port or airport, or even working oversees on a freighter. It isn’t just deliveries, though; this sector also covers the public transportation industry. The vast network of railways and bus routes requires constant upkeep and maintenance and keeping everything running on time is a job that requires www.careersworld.co.uk

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

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

Example Job Roles: 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: 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

hundreds of people. Be aware that a clean driver’s licence will be required for any full time driving jobs. Example Job Roles: Railway Operative • Airport Ground Staff • Mail Service Technician • Warehouse Operative • Bus/Coach Driver Salaries: Starting salaries in this sector are around £12,000 a year. Qualiﬁcations: Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3) • A-Levels (Geography is useful for transport related job roles) • College Courses • Foundation Degree

RIGHT BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE MAKE THE BRIGHT CHOICE

APPLY NOW BMETC.AC.UK 0845 155 0101

BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE at locations across the West Midlands Courses in • A Levels • Apprenticeships • Computing • Creative & Performing Arts • Engineering & Construction • Land Based Studies

• Media • Medical & Health Care • Professional Studies • Sciences • Sport, Travel & Uniformed Services • New GCSE Resit Programme

OPEN EVENTS FOR 2013 Thursday October 17th 2013

5pm-8pm

t: 0845 155 0101

Saturday November 9th 2013 10am-1pm

e: ask@bmetc.ac.uk

Thursday December 5th 2013 5pm-8pm

w: www.bmetc.ac.uk

Open events are at a range of locations across Birmingham, The Black Country and The Wyre Forest. Check our website for details.

Sutton Coldfield Campus Lichfield Road Sutton Coldfield B74 2NW

James Watt Campus Aldridge Road, Great Barr Birmingham B44 8NE

Stourbridge Campus Hagley Road, Stourbridge West Midlands DY8 1QU

Matthew Boulton Campus Jennens Road Birmingham B4 7PS

Erdington Skills Centre Edwards Road, Erdington Birmingham B24 9EW

Kidderminster Academy Weavers Wharf Kidderminster DY10 1AA

BRIGHT CHOICE.BRIGHT FUTURE

Interested in a career in art, media or music? Courses in creative industries starting at Bournville College this September: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

BTEC Level 1 Diploma in Creative Media Production BTEC Level 1 Diploma in Art & Design BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Creative Media Production BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Art & Design BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Music BTEC Level 3 90 Credit Diploma in Creative Media Production* (with option to do a second year Extended Diploma) BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design* BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Fashion & Textiles – NEW BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Technology AS/A Level Media Studies AS Level Photography – NEW Advanced Apprenticeship (Level 3) in Art & Design – NEW Advanced Apprenticeship (Level 3) in Creative and Digital Media Foundation Diploma in Art – NEW Access to Higher Education – Art & Design – NEW Foundation Degree in Film & Television Production Technology – NEW

100 reasons to choose Bournville College...

No. 50: Annual Creative Industries exhibition showcasing the talent of students in art, media and music

For further information visit us at the upcoming Open Day on Saturday 23rd November, 10am - 2pm or apply via bournville.ac.uk

*BTEC Level 3 Media or Art & Design students will have the opportunity to gain entry to our Career Academy in Media or Art

Talk. 0121 477 1300 | Write. info@bournville.ac.uk | See. bournville.ac.uk | Visit. 1 Longbridge Lane, Longbridge, Birmingham B31 2AJ | Sat nav ref. B31 2TS

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You want be part of the Capgemini IT Apprentice Programme.

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

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

c:\Careers Hub>_

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

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

GCSES

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

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

Careers Hub COLLEGE

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

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

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

Top Tips

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

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

FOR THOSE IN YEAR 9...

GAP YEAR

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

FOR THOSE IN YEAR 11...

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

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

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

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

www.careersworld.co.uk

Careers Hub

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

LEVEL

5 GCSEs

LEVEL

SKILLS FOR LIFE

LEVEL

BTEC

LEVEL

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

LEVEL

OCR NATIONALS

AWARDS, CERTIFICATES & DIPLOMAS

LEVEL

NVQs

FOUNDATION LEARNING

LEVEL

ENTRY LEVEL

CERTIFICATES

(GRADES D-G) 1

5 GCSEs

LEVEL

(GRADES A*-C) 2

INTERMEDIATE

BTEC 2 NATIONALS

LEVEL

DIPLOMA OF

LEVEL

NVQs

LEVEL

NVQs

ADVANCED DIPLOMAS

LEVEL

BTEC HIGHER NATIONALS (HND, HNC)

OCR NATIONALS

LEVEL

BTEC FIRSTS

LEVEL

NVQs

LEVEL

FOUNDATION LEVEL 3 DEGREES 4+

LEVEL

HIGHER APPRENTICESHIPS

APPRENTICESHIPS

FOUNDATIONS 1

A LEVELS

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

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPs

GCE IN APPLIED

SUBJECTS

LEVEL

3 3 3

HIGHER EDUCATION

LEVEL

4+ LEVEL

SPECIALIST LEVEL 4+ 3 AWARDS

LEVEL

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

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

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

www.careersworld.co.uk

WEST MIDLANDS CONSTRUCTION UTC

Kick-start a career in construction at the West Midlands Construction UTC West Midlands Construction UTC is a revolutionary new school opening in Vernon Way, Walsall in September 2014. It will provide 14-19 year olds from Birmingham, the Black Country, Staffordshire and Shropshire with excellent, full-time, technical learning alongside academic qualifications. Specialising in Construction and the Application of IT in the Built Environment, the West Midlands Construction UTC will offer young people a fantastic opportunity to significantly boost their employability. So, to find out more about a fast-track into the construction industry, join us at one of our open days or visit our website www.wmcutc.co.uk

MeeT an eMployer eVenT

September 14th, 10am – 2pm Hewden, Willenhall Depot, Ashmore Lake Way, Ashmore Lake Industrial Estate, Willenhall WV12 4LF open Day

September 25th, 4pm – 7pm Walsall College, Wisemore Campus, Littleton Street West, Walsall WS2 8ES MeeT an eMployer eVenT

September 26th and October 3rd 4.30pm – 7pm Barhale Training Solutions, Wallows Lane, Walsall WS1 4LZ open Day

October 26th, 10am – 2pm Wolverhampton University, Telford Campus, Shifnal Road, Priorslee, Telford, Shropshire TF2 9NN open Day

November 20th, 4pm – 7pm Walsall College, Wisemore Campus, Littleton Street West, Walsall WS2 8ES

MeeT The prinCipal anD Take a SiTe ToUr! Teachers, careers advisors, employers and young people and their parents or carers are invited to meet our new Principal, Tom Macdonald, and take a tour of the new site. This event will take place at the West Midlands Construction UTC, Vernon Way, Walsall WS3 2PA from Monday 23rd September through to Friday 4th October. We have slots available on Mondays and Fridays from 9am to 6pm and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 8pm. Book your place today by emailing amanda@wmcutc.co.uk or calling 07740 073112 or 01889 592696.

www.westmidlandsconstructionutc.co.uk WEST MIDLANDS CONSTRUCTION UTC

c:\Useful Links>_

UNIVERSITIES Aston University www.aston.ac.uk 0121 204 3000 Birmingham City University www.bcu.ac.uk 0121 3315000 The University of Birmingham www.birmingham.ac.uk 0121 414 3344 Coventry University www.coventry.ac.uk 024 7688 7688 Harper Adams University www.harper-adams.ac.uk 01952 820280 Keele University www.keele.ac.uk 01782 732000 Newman University www.newman.ac.uk 0121 4761 181 Staffordshire University www.staffs.ac.uk 01782 294 000 The University of Warwick www.warwick.ac.uk 024 7652 3523

COLLEGES

South Staffordshire College www.southstaffs.ac.uk 0300 456 2424

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

Derwen College www.derwen.ac.uk 01691 661234

Stafford College www.staffordcoll.ac.uk 01785 223 800

Ludlow College www.ludlow-college.ac.uk 01584 872846

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

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

SHROPSHIRE

New College Telford www.nct.ac.uk 01952 641892

BLACK COUNTRY

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

Hereford College of Arts www.hca.ac.uk 01432 273359

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

Hereford Sixth Form College www.hereford.ac.uk 01432 355166

Aston University Engineering Academy www.auea.co.uk 0121 3800 570 Black Country UTC www.blackcountryutc.co.uk 01922 470763 JCB Academy www.jcbacademy.com 01889 506 100 WMG Academy for Young Engineers www.utcolleges.org 0207 960 1555 West Midlands Construction UTC www.westmidlands constructionutc.co.uk

Dudley College www.dudleycol.ac.uk 01384 363000 King Edward VI College Stourbridge www.kedst.ac.uk 01384 398100 Sandwell College www.sandwell.ac.uk 0121 667 5000 Stourbridge College www.stourbridge.ac.uk 01384 344344 Walsall College www.walsallcollege.ac.uk 01922 657 7000

HEREFORDSHIRE

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

UNIVERSITY TECHNICAL COLLEGES

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

BIRMINGHAM

Herefordshire and Ludlow College www.hlcollege.ac.uk 0800 032 1986

Birmingham Metropolitan College www.bmetc.ac.uk 0845 155 0101 Bournville College of Further Education www.bournville.ac.uk 0121 477 1300

STAFFORDSHIRE Burton and South Derbyshire College www.burton-college.ac.uk 01283 494400 City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College www.stokesfc.ac.uk 01782 848736 Leek College www.leek.ac.uk 01538 398866 Newcastle-under-Lyme College www.nulc.ac.uk 01782 715111

Cadbury Sixth Form College www.cadcol.ac.uk 0121 458 3839 Fircroft College of Adult Education www.ﬁrcroft.ac.uk 0121 472 0116 Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College www.jcc.ac.uk 0121 466 2200 Queen Alexandra College www.qac.ac.uk 0121 428 5050

WARWICKSHIRE City College Coventry www.covcollege.ac.uk 024 7679 1000 Henley College Coventry www.henley-cov.ac.uk 024 7662 6300 Hereward College of Further Education www.hereward.ac.uk 02476 461231 King Edward VI College Nuneaton www.kinged6nun.ac.uk 024 7632 8231 North Warwickshire and Hinckley College www.nwhc.ac.uk 024 7624 3000 Stratford-upon-Avon College www.stratford.ac.uk 01789 266 245 Warwickshire College – Royal Leamington Spa, Rugby and Moreton Morrell www.warkscol.ac.uk 01926 318000

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

Solihull College www.solihull.ac.uk 0121 678 7000

www.careersworld.co.uk

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

THE PROCESS

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

APPLYING

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

PERSONAL STATEMENT

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

REFERENCES

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

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

Web: www.ucasprogress.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Careersworld advert - autumn 2013 v1IC.indd 1

www.careersworld.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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CAN I GO TO UNIVERSITY WITHOUT A-LEVELS?

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

“

Harry Day, Solihull College

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

0207 471 0520

info@pjea.org

29/08/2013 14:43:50

www.careersworld.co.uk

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

SOCIAL MEDIA

Find us at facebook.com/careers. world and follow us on twitter using the handle @careers_world. If that wasn’t enough, we are currently running a competition which rewards all of our Facebook friends; every time we get another 500 likes on the Careers World page, we’ll choose one lucky winner to receive a prize! If that wasn’t enough, the prizes will continually get better as we get more likes! So our 10,000th liker might be getting a speedboat*!

SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Discover a brighter future

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