WM Open Doors - iss2 v4 by Open Doors Media Ltd

Open Doors – The Regional Training Prospectus

APPRENTICESHIPS CAREERS TRAINING JOBS A-LEVELS COLLEGE

Issue 2 | West Midlands Edition | Autumn 2011

CONSTRUCTION SPORT & FITNESS BUSINESS & FINANCE FOOD & DRINK HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE MANUFACTURING RETAIL TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY ARMED FORCES ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL & LAND BASED CUSTOMER SERVICE & ADMIN CREATIVE, DIGITAL & MEDIA ENERGY & RENEWABLES IT & TELECOMS PUBLIC SERVICES TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS MOTOR VEHICLE HAIR & BEAUTY

WEST MIDLANDS EDITION Issue 2 - Autumn 2011 ISSN: 2046-6560

Supporting Apprenticeship Week 7 - 11 February 2011

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The world is changing fast. With economic uncertainty and fierce competition for jobs, there’s never been a greater need to have marketable skills. But you don’t need to sit in a class all day to get them. With an Apprenticeship, you can earn while you’re learning and gain recognised qualifications as you work.

0121 694 5000 admissions@sbc.ac.uk www.sbc.ac.uk

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HELLO, WE’RE OPEN DOORS... ... and this is our Regional Training Prospectus, here to help you decide what to do next. This is the first issue of the new school year, and it’s an exciting time. Did you know there are endless opportunities, right on your doorstep? You could start earning qualifications and money with an apprenticeship, get a taste of the working world with employer funded study, carry on learning at sixth form or college and more. In this issue we will profile some of the biggest sectors in your region and explain how to take the first step to a career in the ones that interest you. We’ll also cover all of the main sectors out there; explore trends in your area; and take a look at some remarkable true stories of young people who have had success after leaving school. But that’s not all! We also have a guide to all of the confusing qualifications out there, advice on how to make the most of our useful website and we will answer some of the most common questions that you might have.

The future is in your hands... right here in this prospectus. So turn the page and let’s get started!

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Throughout this Prospectus, you’ll see lots of facts and figures about our region and its sectors. We get them from UK National Statistics, various Sector Skills Councils, regional local authorities and industry experts. It’s all official stuff, there’s no Wikipedia where we’re involved!

Open Doors – Autumn 2011 - West Midlands edition Publisher – Karl Mason karl@opendoorsmedia.co.uk Editor – Stan Neal editorial@opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Production Manager – Lindsey Thomson-Heley production@opendoorsmedia.co.uk Design – Studio Belly Timber hello@studiobellytimber.co.uk

Business Development – Simon Bell simon@opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Distribution/Subscriptions distribution@opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Advertising Sales – Matthew Gardner matthew.gardner@opendoorsmedia.co.uk

To contact us: 01765 694120 | info@opendoorsmedia.co.uk

ISSN: 2046-6560

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.

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CONTENTS The perfect place to start, jump straight to any section that instantly appeals or keep turning the pages and continue reading – it’s all here to help you find your dream career

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Careers Insight

07 FAQS

17 BUSINESS & FINANCE SECTOR

Here we answer some of the most common queries you might have

Fancy a high-flying career?

10 QUALIFICATIONS TABLE

21 CUSTOMER SERVICE & ADMIN SECTOR

12 LIFE STORIES

25 CREATIVE, DIGITAL & MEDIA SECTOR

See how different qualifications add up, and how they compare

Past and present students tell us all about their experiences and how they succeeded

Learn the skills that can be applied to almost every area of business

Exciting, trendy careers for artistic types

29 ENERGY & RENEWABLES SECTOR

One of the most varied and diverse of all the industry sectors

33 TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY SECTOR

You could make a career of helping people enjoy themselves

37 IMAGINE A CAREER...

p17 Business & finance sector

We give you a heads-up on the other sectors out there, which we’ll cover in later issues

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HERE’S HOW IT W ORKS Eve

ry term, we publish a new issue of Open Doors tha t covers five sectors in you get a good idea of detail so what a career in those industries would be like the sector you’re keen . Don’t worry if on isn’t one of the five – you’ll find it in our overvie sectors in the ‘Imagine w of remaining a career in...’ article. Wi th each new issue, we’ll new sectors in detail, so cover five totally make sure you look out for us next term. If there’s anything else you ’d like us to cover, or if you just want to say hel editor@opendoorsmed lo, email us at ia.co.uk. We want to ma ke sure our magazine offe you need (or just want rs everything to read about)! Happy rea ding, and hope you hav e a great term.

Useful Stuff 43 SPOTLIGHT ON THE WEST MIDLANDS All about your region

52 MORE HELPFUL STUFF

Useful links, contact details and more – because you can never have too much information

54 WEBSITE REVIEW

Check out our step by step guide on how to get the best out of our fabulous website

ice mer serv o t s u C 1 p2 or min sect d a &

r vel &ity secto a r T p33 ospital h

p29 Ene rgy & renewa bles sec tor

p25 Cre ative, & medi digital a sector

Your future... Your Choice...

APPLY NOW FOR SEPTEMBER 2012! We have a great range of courses, there is something for everyone, whether you want to be a forensic scientist or an engineer...

OSWESTRY SIXTH FORM CENTRE • • • • • • • • • • •

AS/A Levels and GCSEs Access to Higher Education Business, Law and Administration Childcare and Education Computing and Science Foundation Learning Hair, Beauty and Alternative Therapies Health and Social Care Media and Creative Arts Sport and Leisure Travel and Tourism

WALFORD CAMPUS • • • • • • • • • • • •

Agriculture Animal Management and Welfare Countryside Management Engineering Equine Floristry Foundation Learning Horticulture Motor Vehicle Outdoor Adventure Sports The Boys’ Football Scholarship Uniformed Services

OSWESTRY SIXTH FORM CENTRE | T: 01691 688 080 WALFORD CAMPUS | T: 01939 262 100

Apply online today by visiting www.wnsc.ac.uk

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS There are so many options it’s no surprise you’re left scratching your head! So what do you need to know?

What is an Apprenticeship?

Is Foundation Learning the right programme for me?

Which A Level subjects should I choose?

How do I find out about colleges in my area? Can I get a job with an employer straight after leaving school? 07

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FAQ’S When it comes to making big decisions there is always lots to consider, and it’s inevitable that you’ll have lots of questions you want answering before choosing what’s right for you. Here we answer some of the most common queries you might have ...

APPRENTICESHIPS What is an apprenticeship? Apprenticeships are a great opportunity to gain qualifications and workplace experience at the same time! Apprenticeships involve working for an employer while studying for a qualification part time with a training provider or college (usually on day release). What different types of apprenticeships are there? There are over 190 types of Apprenticeships, in a huge range of industry sectors, such as engineering, childcare, veterinary nursing or even ceramic manufacturing. Apprenticeships in every industry generally fall into the three categories of intermediate, advanced and higher Apprenticeships, and all result in qualifications. Will an apprenticeship help me into a good career? Career progression is excellent for apprentices, and over the course of their careers, those who have completed an Apprenticeship earn, on average, £100,000 more than those without. Some Apprenticeships already result in UCAS points or allow you to study for a Technical Certificate. Once you have finished your Apprenticeship there’s the opportunity to carry on working, get promoted or in some cases go on to higher education in a college or university. I heard you get paid to do an Apprenticeship! How does that work? Apprentices have to be paid a minimum of £95 per week. However, as in most job roles, many apprentices get paid more by their employers as their skills develop. Research has shown that apprentices take home an average of £170 a week. The added bonus is that as long as you’re between 16 and 18 your studies are 100% paid for by the government.

A LEVELS What subjects should I choose ? There is a lot to consider when deci ding which subjects to do at A Level, but choosing wha t you enjoy and what you’re good at is usually a good plac e to start. Make sure you ask your subject teachers if you can’t decide, they’re there to help. Another way to approach your choi ces is to look at what university course or job role you want to go into after A Levels and see which subjects they prefer you to study. How will universities and employe rs view my qualifications and subject choices ? Universities will make it clear which A Level subjects are desired for certain courses (this is why choosing the right subjects is important). Having stud ied relevant subjects gives you a huge advantage when applying. Employers, more than universities, will look for your qualities as a person rather than focu sing so much on your academic subjects of study. Of course having studied relevant subjects or doing work expe rience will still reflect well when applying for the most com petitive jobs. How much harder are A Levels than GCSE’s? Is there a bigger workload? This depends on you and your cour se. If you’re studying a subject you have previously stud ied at GCSE you will find that the course builds on your existing knowledge, however if you’re trying out a new subject it may take some time to adjust. The workload for A Levels can also be a challenge, or for some people may actually suit their learning style better than GCSE’s. The main chan ge from GCSE’s is that you will have to do more work outside of school. Though this may be daunting at first remember that you’ll be doing fewer subjects so you can focus more time on them to make up for it. Can I change my A Level choices after I have started? Ideally you should stick to your subj ect choices. Most schools and colleges don’t allow you to change after a certain point in the term but if you are really struggling or not enjoying the subject the best thing to do is talk to your teachers or subject leaders. Sometim es the best thing to do is allow time to adapt and get used to the course, but if you do change subjects your teac hers will give you the help you need to catch up.

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FOUNDATION LEARNING What is Foundation Learning? which aims to help you if Foundation Learning is a programme e, skills or qualifications rienc you don’t have the necessary expe or a job. In Foundation se cour ge colle to start an Apprenticeship, ing you to agree a Learning you will work with those guid rs a range of skills. personalised programme which cove Foundation Learning? Can I study for a qualification on including Literacy, Numeracy, Yes, there are qualifications available practice most people on Health and Safety and First Aid. In to Level 2 qualifications ress Foundation Learning courses prog supported employment. or ) hips ices rent (GCSE’s, Diplomas, App lp me? How will Foundation Learning he build up your confidence to Foundation Learning will help you rience and develop the expe work gain and other skills. You will help get you ready for further kind of skills and attitudes that will and prepare you for greater learning, make you more employable independence. t programme for me? Is Foundation Learning the righ ployed, or don’t have If you have left school and are unem huge benefits from see will the qualifications you need, you to remember is that thing t rtan impo Foundation Learning. The onalised and be aimed at the programme will be carefully pers achievable targets for you.

EMPLOYERS AND ERS TRAINING PROVID

school? employer straight after Can I get a job with an leavers. ool local companies recruit sch Yes, lots of national and for s itie rtun tish Gas, have oppo Some companies, like Bri te, offer SE’s and some, like Deloit GC r students straight afte . els Lev A ted ple e com opportunities once you hav ilst en gain qualifications wh oft can you s role se In the . sity ver uni to go to college or working or get funding d learning between a Work Base What’s the difference e? provider and a colleg rning provider’ phrase ‘Work Based lea the n see e hav y ma You if you don’t rry wo n’t ctus site. Do on your local 14-19 prospe ers essentially vid pro g rnin lea rk Based know what it means. Wo s. provide vocational course provider a Work Based Learning After school the idea of are ere Th . you for t it could be righ may seem different but sed Ba rk Wo ring offe ers g provid loads of types of trainin e are always intakes for courses, som set e hav e som g; Learnin time rt pa or rt and some offer sho looking out for recruits providers al loc ich wh w visors will kno courses. Your careers ad you want to get into. are best suited for what

COLLEGES Should I study at my school 6th form or a college? This can be a difficult decision and the best advice is to make sure you attend open days at both! The main difference many students find is that colleges are a lot bigger and you have more independence. Though some people relish this you have to be self motivated as you won’t be pushed to do work, or even turn up, in the same way as at school. Of course at 6th form you will already know most of your teachers and friends but the key is choosing what is right for you. Whether that’s staying in your comfort zone or trying somewhere new. How to find out about colleges in my area? www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk of course! Our site has links to all of the colleges in your area which is a good place to start browsing their sites and the courses they offer. A good way of searching through all the colleges offering the Apprenticeships, A Levels or courses you want to do is to check out your local 14-19 prospectus. These are all featured on page 52 of the magazine and are really easy to use. You’ll notice that different colleges have different specialities and your careers advisors will help you work out which are best for the courses that interest you. What extra-curricular opportunities are available to me at college? Going to a college or staying on at 6th Form is a great way for you to get involved with activities outside of lessons, whether you choose to carry on with your current interests or take up new ones! Colleges and 6th Forms will encourage you to broaden your horizons, and most will have opportunities to get involved in: • Performance activities (such as drama, dance, plays). • Sports activities (playing for a school, county or area team). • Community based activities (these can include charity fundraising, amnesty international or the Duke of Edinburgh scheme). • Business and Leadership opportunities (such as the young enterprise scheme or roles on school councils).

UT MOanRE FIND Ohave learning provider might idea about what type of course or a bit more of So now you may courses and qualifications to discover. You can find out what be right for you there’s loads more on page 52. ’re they us, pect your local 14-19 pros are available in your local area with help in your area. can who ple peo of ils deta .co.uk for ... check out www.opendoorsmedia

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QUALIFICATIONS EXPLAINED Did you know that completing an Advanced Apprenticeship is the same as getting an A level? There are lots of different qualifications – here’s how they compare. Remember that within any one level, qualifications can cover a wide mix of subjects, and take different amounts of time to complete. ENTRY LEVEL

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

LEVEL 4-8

Entry Level Certificates

5 GCSEs (grades D-G)

5 GCSEs (grades A*-C)

A Levels

Foundation Degree

Skills for Life

BTEC Introductory Diplomas and Certificates

Intermediate Apprenticeship

Advanced Apprenticeship

Higher Apprenticeship

Functional Skills at entry level (English, maths and ICT)

OCR Nationals

BTEC First Diplomas and Certificates

GCE in applied subjects

Diploma of Higher Education

Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas at entry level

NVQs at level 1

NVQs at level 2

BTEC Diplomas, Certificates and Awards

HND, HNC

Foundation Diploma

Higher Diploma

NVQs at level 3

Advanced Diploma

Foundation Diploma

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LIFE STORIES SHAUN CROSS K

Kingsbury Training based in Erdington, Birmingham, have been king with B U RyouYng GS I N wor people for 31 years. We work with young people aged 14 – 24 to help them gain lifications and skills R Equa in the construction industry, Music and sport whilst offering qualifications in maths, English, IT and offer career guidance.

A SUCCESSFUL CAREER FOR TOM In just one year, Tom Waterworth went from A-level dropout to launching a successful career.

RAINING

We met Shaun at a careers event ng people find at Villa Park, aimed at helping you . After having hips training, careers or apprentices ed him in to invit we un Sha a brief discussion with we would be that knew we as s day n one of our ope s of gaining nce able to help him improve on his cha employment. workshops and Shaun came and had a tour of our with him to plan liked what he saw. We then worked attend that would ld wou an individual program that he klaying (City and bric in tions lifica allow him to gain qua would need to he that card S CSC vital guilds) and the d nde our training work on a building site. Shaun atte He also had the k. wee centre in Erdington 3 days a king with young wor of e rienc opportunity to gain expe ce. people to help build on his confiden team and as he Shaun has worked with our careers he will be placed tion lifica qua his comes to the end of to a job at a local into a work placement with a view building company. about securing Shaun feels much more confident has the hands on he that now ent loym long term emp e that he can experience and qualifications to prov build complicated structures. ? Want to find out about our courses com ing. train bury ngs w.ki Visit ww or phone 0121 384 3886 KINGSBURY

TRAINING CENTRE

man: A. J. Danbury

Lewis Directors: T. Riley, T. Summlar, Y.

Co. Registration No: 1988011

The Castleford 18-year-old found his A-level course in sports science too theoretical and was struggling to see a clear route into employment. But things changed when he signed up for Lifetime’s funded apprenticeship in fitness instruction. Tom said: “It was great to be studying in an adult environment. What’s more, there was plenty of gym-based, practical work, so I knew my job prospects would be much better upon finishing the course.” After just a week’s voluntary work placement, Tom was offered a full time, paid position as a fitness instructor. So keen to progress in his new career, Tom is currently completing a workbased qualification in personal training and has recently secured a new job as a Personal Trainer with Fitness First. “I’m now doing what I always wanted to do.” Lifetime Fitness Academy and to book your place, call 0870 120 1207 today! www.lifetimetraining.co.uk/looking-for-a-job

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YOUNG AND GIFTED, THE FUTURE IS LOOKING BRIGHT FOR TALENTED HANNAH MAY. The 18-year-old began working for Midlands-based letting agent Howland Jones after starting an apprenticeship with national training provider Intraining. And through her apprenticeship, Hannah demonstrated so much talent, dedication and enthusiasm that after less than six months, she won Property Professional Year. Awards Young Letting Agent Of The ked to have won. She said: “I am delighted and still shoc received have I port sup “Without the training and ld never wou I , ining Intra and r loye from both my emp ” win. ty to have had the confidence and abili iries from tenants In her work, Hannah deals with inqu ings and view erty prop out ies and landlords, carr e onto the com have that es hom new any s advertise completed has also letting market. While working, she Three. and Two ls Leve n ratio NVQ Business Administ She says: “I really enjoy my work. ce of a career, earn “I have been able to gain experien same time. the at s skill money and develop new iceships.” rent app end mm reco y “I would definitel team knew from Director Rebecca Howland said the special. g ethin som the start that Hannah had the She said: “Hannah decided to take going to university, than er rath e, rout hip ices rent App compete with and she has shown that she can studies, while her with ing tinu con the best. She is iness, which is a getting a good grounding in the bus combination for success. for what she has “We are incredibly proud of Hannah She has taken us. with time rt sho a achieved in such and is Immensely to the lettings industry very quickly an apprentice, still talented and able, and, although that. ct refle to ry sala we have increased her her.” for g innin beg “This is just the For more information visit: ships www.intraining.co.uk/apprentice 0 Tel: 0330 123 130

ADAM IS IN HIS ELEMENT A 3rd year Panel Apprentice at Thatcham’s Automotive Academy, Adam Illstone is in his element - in a job he’s always wanted to do and learning his craft from the best. “It started out as a hobby,” says Adam, “I had a VolksWagen Polo and with the help of a friend we managed to lower it and I also had a go at fixing some bodywork. At around the same time I was finishing at school and I saw an opportunity as a panel technician with Peugeot UK in Cov entry.” A successful interview later and Adam found hims elf exactly where he wanted to be – working with cars . Adam’s on-the-job learning was to be supported by formal learning through the Thatcha m Apprenticeship Programme. Thatcham offers app rentice training leading to NVQ Levels 2 & 3 in 3 disc iplines, Panel, Paint or Fitter. The programme wor ks on a block release basis so apprentices are relea sed from their employer for two weeks at a time , 4 times a year, allowing them to learn new skills and techniques, which can be immediately put into practice on their return to the workplace. The apprent iceship can be completed in as little as 2 years. After the initial welcome and settling in process at Thatcham it was down to busines s for Adam and during the first block he was alrea dy trying new skills and techniques. “We learned abo ut Health & Safety and then it was all about practical skills -pulling dents out, filler repairs, working on double skin panels, hammer and dolly work. The Aca demy itself is a really excellent place to learn – clean, load s of facilities and equipment, as well as friendly, knowledgeable instructors who treat us like adults. Now I’m into the 2nd year and taking on more com plex repair work. Eventually I hope to have my own bodyshop – there’s loads of possibilities – I would defi nitely recommend this career to anyone and I would tell them they need to do their training at Thatcham.” This service can be accessed onlin e at www. apprenticeships.org.uk or through a local Connexions office or Job Centre. You can also contact the Thatcha m Apprentice Team, who will be delighted to offer help and advice. Find out more at www.thatcham. org/apprentices or call our Apprentice Team on 016 35 294816

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PIRI’S PASSION FOR RETAIL MERCHANDISING TAKES HER TO THE WORLD STAGE Piri Logendran first discovered her flair for retail aged 16 when she took a job at the nearby shopping centre, and she’s now on the verge of being recognised internationally for her skills. Piri is down to the last four young people in training hoping to represent t. Spurred the UK at this year’s WorldSkills even chandising mer al visu nal natio the on by success in benefitted from competition, skillVM, Piri has also water shopping a Retail Apprenticeship at the Blue essful career. succ a out centre where she’s carving hip as I wanted to She said: “I started the Apprentices time. It offers me e be learning and earning at the sam il.” reta ut the chance to learn all abo hip, Piri learned During her year on the Apprentices ding customer inclu il skills in numerous areas of reta chandising, mer al visu rity, service, teamwork, secu t. “My course men age man nal ratio marketing and ope ing in a class and leader included visual merchandis VM, got through skill after that I was hooked! I entered Piri. lains exp e” and have taken it from ther for the WorldSkills If successful in the selection process nst agai ow event, Piri would build a live wind erlands, Neth , ugal Port re, competition from Singapo ay. Norw and aica Jam , Italy Denmark, Finland, zing; I can’t “Representing the UK would be ama for me. It be ld wou that l describe what a big dea a lot of VM e’s ther ld wor the w sho to would be great e there is prov and talent in the UK, the skills involved .” sing a lot more to it than window dres into retail visit For more information about getting www.skillsmartretail.com

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REGIONAL APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR JOSH

Josh collecting his award from Mike Lowe CBE, Telford College Chair of Governors and Janet Ellis, Telford College Principal and CEO .

Joshua Brown is a clear exampl e of how Apprenticeships are helping you ng people find a positive route to employment and excel in a chosen career. 19 year old Josh Brown from Wol verhampton, began his Apprenticeship in March 2010 at Essington Fruit Farm. His assessments have been carried out by Telford College, and he has been supported throughout by his employer and his colleagues. Josh decided that he wanted a care er in Butchery, and has been able to fulfill this amb ition by learning essential butchery skills whilst wor king and earning a wage. Whilst working towards his Apprenticeship, Josh has been able to submit his own Pork Pies to the English Winter Fair in Stafford , where he gained a Gold Award! Josh’s latest accolade has been that he has recently won the Regional Final for the EDI Sponsored “Apprentice of the Year Award”. The awards ceremony, which took place at Eng inuity in Ironbridge saw a number of candidates from across the West Midlands gain awards for a number of different categories. In addition, Josh has been awarded Telford College’s Apprentice of the Year for all of his hard work and achievements at the recent Telfo rd College Celebration of Work. Josh has thoroughly enjoyed his Apprenticeship so far. He feels that he has benefited from his more experienced colleagues enabling him to gain new and valuable skills, to have a fulfilling career in butchery and start him on the path of realizing his ambitions to own his own butchery business. For more information call 01952 642 237 or visit www.tcat.ac.uk

BUILDING CAREERS

L A E R R O F • E G E L L O C T A O N - S IT E •

ip • Team leader apprenticesh e • Flexible training programm • Local practical experience ational • Residential placement at N Construction College, Norfolk • Create your own training A7 Cross fold_Layo

ut 1 17/07/2011 19:23 Page 1

WHAT’S IT ALL ABO UT?

Building Careers does just that – it helps young peop you build a caree le like r in construction. Working for Kier will give you an unbe d Oxfor own, lievable the construction Niket insig ht into world.

Street

You’ll combine pract ical experience local placements at the ly with residentia National Construct l ion College in Norfo lk. Right from the start , we create your own can always tell how training plan so you you’re getting on. This is a brilliant opportunity but it will require you to up early, work in get all kinds of weat her and study in your spare time. some of If you want to build a great career, this something you’ll is be happy to do.

DO YOU TICK THE SE BOXES?

Do you want to make this

work for you? Are you self-motiv ated and enthusiast ic? Do you have a posit ive attitude? Are you willing and

YOU WILL GET PAID!

THE APPRENTICE WILL! Want to make this work Be self-motivated and enthusiastic Have a positive attitude Be willing and able to travel

WORLD OF KIER

• Kier is a ‘Top 5’ construction, deve lopment and services group • We employ more

• We are one of cons truction’s leading recruiters of apprentices and trainees

BUILDING CAREER PATHS

Your Construction Team Leader NVQ2 Apprenticeship will take two years.

1 Year Full Degree

After that, you have the opportunity of taking the NVQ3 Advanced Apprentic eship.

You need to pass a technical certificate , a health & safet and also show you y test have key number and communication Burton West skills. At the same time, you’ll build a portf olio (taking photos, writin of your work on site g up notes, keep ing time sheets and so on).

3 Years Foundation Degr ee 1 Year n Power Statio NVQ 3

DO I GET PAID?

2 Years NVQ 2

Yes, as you learn , you earn. Kier will offer you a full time job with paid annu al holidays plus other benefits.

Following your appre cticeship you may opportunity to conti then have the nue your studies to full degree level .

3 3

able to travel?

As you learn, you earn. Kier will offer you a full time job with paid annual holidays plus other benefits.

than 11,600 peop le worldwide • Our annual turno ver annual is £2.1b n • We have a netw ork of over 50 office s nationwide and operate overseas

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

19:25 Page 1 FrontCover_Layout 1 17/07/2011

Please ask us for a copy of our Pocket Sized brochure

ridgeshire

Hitchinbrooke Hospital, Camb

BUILDING CAREERS

ON-SITE • AT COLLEGE • FOR REAL

Milton Keynes Acad emy

Contact our Building Careers team www.kier.co.uk/buildingcareers

Nuneaton Training Centre First Steps To Your Future

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Take the first steps towards the future you want, by enrolling with NTC. We can offer you the right advice to help you further your training, education or career prospects. Why wait? Enrol today! nd out i f I o d w o H tion? a m r o f n i e r mo

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Just call us on 024 7638 6074 email info@ntcl.co.uk or pop in to our centres for a chat! Foundation Learning If you want a personal approach individually tailored to your needs, gain nationally recognised qualifications, in a fun and flexible programme – this could be your pathway to the future. The programme includes personal and social development, plus Maths, English and ICT. No Qualifications Required to Apply

Work Experience Tasters

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Enrichment Activities

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Choose your career pathway

Apprenticeships If you are looking for employment and want to ‘earn while you learn’ why not consider an Apprenticeship? Gain first hand work experience, whilst working towards a nationally recognised qualification, plus support from both an employer and NTC staff. Earn a salary and paid holidays

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We offer training in the following areas:

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Plus many more!

Your Way Forward NTC Training Portland House,16 Orchard Street, Nuneaton, CV11 4BS

info@ntcl.co.uk - www.ntcl.co.uk *Recommend a friend incentive for Foundation Learning. Regular attendance required and learners must be on programme for 8 weeks to achieve a qualification and be entitled to £20 of high street vouchers.

@ntcltd

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BUSINESS & FINANCE SECTOR Highflying careers

A non-stop environment for competitive people

Some of the biggest salaries going

Help drive business and the economy forward

Consider a career “in the money”… 17

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BUSINESS & FINANCE

Money makes the world go round in this suited and booted sector. If you have ambition and a head for numbers, you could set out for a very rewarding career! Put simply, the business and finance sector is about money – saving it, borrowing it, managing it and most of all, making lots more of it. It’s the UK’s most global industry and covers a wide range of services and products that everyone uses like bank accounts, mortgages, pensions, credit cards and insurance. The perk of working with money is that salaries tend to be higher than average. Here are some of the main areas within the sector:

Accountancy

Accountants keep track of companies and individuals’ finances so they can manage their money properly. Depending on their client’s needs, they might produce account reports, forecast future profits, calculate tax or audit accounts. All organisations – from football clubs to supermarkets – need accountants, so they can work in many different sectors. Entry-level role: accounts clerk, trainee accountant. Starting salary: £12,000 - £16,000.

Banking

The banking sector is huge. There are loads of international and domestic banks who manage our money, give loans, exchange money and more. There are three types: retail banking (like your local HSBC or Lloyds), corporate banking (banking services for businesses) and wholesale banking (large transactions for big clients like governments and other international banks). Entry-level role: customer service adviser, bank cashier. Starting salary: £10,500 - £16,000 a year.

Financial advice

It’s not just for the wealthy – everybody needs financial advice at some point. Financial advisers help people make the most out of their money, whatever they have. A career in financial advice is about working with people to plan their financial goals, whether that’s choosing a mortgage, investing their savings or planning for their retirement. Entry-level role: insurance technician, customer service adviser in a bank or building society. Starting salary: around £17,000.

WEST MIDLANDS FOCUS This sector has a big presence in a few key places within our region. Though not a widespread big employer, some cities rely heavily on this sector. Worcester has 16% of its employees in the banking, insurance and financial service side of the sector alone; one of Worcester’s key employers is Brittanic Assurance PLC which is responsible for 1,500 jobs in the city. Birmingham is a big centre for this business and finance, as it has over 100,000 employees working in this sector.

Fast Facts

• 8% of the UK’s finance workforce is in the West Midlands. • 68,000 work in financial services and a further 81,000 work in accountancy and finance.

Start learning!

Want a course in the West Midlands? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering what course in your local area, or you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

INKS USEF.orUg.uLk – L Council Financial Services Skills

www.fssc ered rs - The Institute of Chart www.icaew.com/caree & Wales Accountants in England artered - The Association of Ch www.accaglobal.com Certified Accountants web k - Careers films on the www.careersbox.co.u s resource eer car ine onl r Ou k ia.co.u www.opendoorsmed

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! GET QUALIFIED vocational courses for this sector... There are plenty of academic and

Apprenticeships

There are several Apprenticeships that will get you qualified in this sector. The business and administration Apprenticeship covers all the skills needed to start a career in the office. On the finance side of things, there are a few options: payroll, accounting and providing financial services. Here are the Apprenticeship frameworks relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 2: • Accounting • Business and Administration • Marketing and Communications • Payroll • Providing Financial Services • Team Leading and Management

Advanced Apprenticeships

Advanced Apprenticeships are equivalent to A Levels, but like Apprenticeships are advantageous for practical roles. Historically Advanced Apprentices have progressed significantly in the industry and many have remained in Business or Finance for their whole career. Here are the Apprenticeship frameworks relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 3: • Accounting • Advising on Financial Products • Business and Administration • Marketing and Communications • Payroll • Providing Financial Services • Team Leading and Management You can also do a Higher Apprenticeship, NVQ level 4 in: • Accounting

A Levels

A Levels can either lead to university or a Foundation Degree, which are explained below, but can be particularly useful in this sector as big companies such as KPMG or PwC offer funded training for students who have just completed A Levels. Here are some recommended A Level subjects, which could set you in the right direction for a career in this sector: • Accounting • Business Studies • Economics • Maths • Statistics

Foundation Degrees

A Foundation Degree is a higher education qualification which combines academic study with practical hands-on experience. Designed jointly by universities, colleges and employers, they should give you the right skills to be ready for employment. They are university-level qualifications and are equivalent to the first two years of an Honours Degree. A typical full-time Foundation Degree takes two years to complete, and are different from honours degrees as they usually involve learning in the workplace as well as at university or college.

CASE STUDY Chris recommends apprenticeships with County Training County Training Apprentice Chris Hardwick has just embarked on a degree, after successfully completing his Business Administration apprenticeship. Chris Hardwick, aged 21, from Trefonen, Oswestry, began his apprenticeship with County Training in March 2010, working as an administrator at Shropshire Council’s Passenger Transport Services department for the Transport Operations Group. In July 2011 he completed his apprenticeship, achieving a Business and Administration Level 2 NVQ, and a package of other qualifications. Chris said “My apprenticeship was great. As it is so work focused, I was able to apply all areas of the qualification to my role and it has helped me to develop my skills while getting paid”. Following the completion of his apprenticeship, Chris will start his Business ICT Degree at Aberystwyth University this Autumn. Chris went on to say “I am really looking forward to starting my course. The apprenticeship has been great, County Training were very supportive and learning while I worked was perfect as it allowed me to save money and gain practical work experience. I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship with County Training”. For more information call 01743 255191 or visit www.shropshire.gov.uk/apprenticeships.nsf Like ‘County Training’ on Facebook & Twitter

Employer-funded study

You don’t have to go to university to train to be an accountant. Organisations like the ICAEW offer a training scheme for people who have completed their A Levels. You’ll start working for an employer and gain two professional qualifications in four years. As mentioned PwC have a HEADstart scheme and KPMG also recruit school leavers. Though the KPMG scheme takes 6 years the benefit is that by the time your friends are finished university, you’ll be earning and able to command a good salary.

Want to earn while you learn? With our industry approved Apprenticeships you’ll work in a real job from day one, it’s a great way to start your career and the perfect stepping stone to getting ahead. And the best part? You’ll earn a wage and gain invaluable experience too.

The choice is yours… During your Apprenticeship you’ll receive training, within a work environment. All of our training is sector specific and will equip you with the right skills to get you where you want to be. You can get qualifications in areas such as: • Retail • Hospitality and Catering • Hairdressing and Barbering • Business Administration

• Customer Service • Health and Social Care • Childcare • Warehousing and Storage

THE EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS GROUP

Take your first step towards a brighter future and call us now on 0333 444 3973, or text JOB to 80011 and we’ll give you a call back. You can also visit www.esggroup.co.uk

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CUSTOMER SERVICE & ADMIN SECTOR You could be the face of a major national company, like Orange or BT

97% of businesses say they rely on admin

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re good with people, customer service could be for you? Many top executives were once administrators

Take a fantastic first step on the career ladderâ&#x20AC;Ś 21

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CUSTOMER SERVICE & ADMIN It’s more than a sector – customer service and administration help drive businesses forward in all industries. Learn these skills and you’ll be very, very employable… Customer service

You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘the customer’s always right’. Any business that wants to be successful has to keep its customers happy, and that’s what customer service is all about. From helping a shopper find the right size at Topshop to answering customer queries at a BT call centre, customer service jobs come in all shapes and sizes. For this career, you need to be good with people and able to help them with any questions or problems they might have. You’ll also need to learn your organisation’s products and services inside and out. It can be a very rewarding career – you’ll get satisfaction every time you help a customer. Entry-level roles: Customer service representative, call centre operator, plus lots of other jobs involve customer service. Earnings: Salaries start around £12,000 to £18,000 a year. Career progression: With experience, you could become a team leader or manager, which could lead to a higher salary. Customer service skills are transferable to other careers, too.

WEST MIDLANDS FOCUS Customer service and admin is more than just a sector, it is a driver of business across all sectors here. Businesses across the region need friendly employees to provide their customers with the best service possible, to keep them coming! From working in a call centre to serving the customers in the NEC, the West Midlands has plenty of customer service opportunities.

Fast facts:

• The West Midland’s restaurants, hotels, bars and tourist attractions need customer service employees. • Apprenticeships are available in Customer Service, Contact Centres and Business and Administration.

Start learning!

Want to find a course in the West Midlands? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering what course in your local area, or you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Administration

Businesses can’t function without administrators – in fact, 97% of organisations say that administration is crucial to their success. Administrators are responsible for running the daily operations of the office. They answer the phone, input data, keep schedules, type up letters and anything else that needs to be done. They’re an important part of business, which is why there are over 5 million of them in the UK. For this career, you’ll need to be organised and have good computer skills. Since administrators are needed in most organisations, you could work across many sectors.

GET INTO THE SECTOR There are many admin and customer service roles that don’t require previous experience or qualifications. If you’re interested in admin, then look for office junior, receptionist and administrative assistant vacancies. If you’re interested in customer service, working in any high street shop or a call centre will give you real experience.

You could be a receptionist in a record company, or help run the office of a national charity. Whatever you do, you’ll be learning skills that will help you progress in your career.

Once you’ve got a job, you can start working towards workbased qualifications like NVQs. Your employer could even help turn your job into an Apprenticeship.

Entry-level roles: Administrative assistant, office junior, personal assistant, office secretary. Earnings: Salaries start around £15,000 to £20,000 a year. Career progression: Admin is a great way to get in with a company and move up the ladder. Admin skills are transferable to many other careers as well.

The benefits: You’ll get on the career ladder and start earning money – you’ll also be in a good position to pick up workbased qualifications.

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GET QUALIFIED There are plenty of vocational courses for this sector...

Apprenticeships

There are several Apprenticeships available: customer service, contact centres, and business & administration. In all of them, you’ll learn on the job while attending a college or training provider on day release, and earn the right qualifications that will help you progress. Here are the Apprenticeship frameworks relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 2: • Business and Administration • Contact Centres • Customer Service • Sales & Telesales

Advanced Apprenticeships

Advanced Apprenticeships are equivalent to A Levels, but like Apprenticeships are advantageous for practical roles. Advanced Apprenticeships help you become more qualified whilst gaining employment experience. You can build on all of the above Apprenticeships; all of these frameworks are NVQ level 3: • Business and Administration • Contact Centres • Customer Service • Sales & Telesales You can also do a Higher Apprenticeship, NVQ level 4 in: • Contact Centres

A Levels

A Levels can either lead to university or a Foundation Degree, which are explained below. Most employers and universities will value subjects that demonstrate you have solid base level knowledge and skills, and would be able to further develop skills relevant to the industry. Here are some recommended A Level subjects, which could set you in the right direction: • Business Studies • English • ICT

CASE STUDY Tamara D’Angelo, Business Administration Apprentice Tamara D’ Angelo came into Martec training just over 2 years ago looking for an Apprenticeship in Business Administration. Her timing couldn’t have been better as we were looking to set on an Apprentice ourselves! Tamara started with us as an Admin Assistant and has recently completed her Business Administration Advanced Apprenticeship. Tamara’s role involves maintaining Martec training’s learner’s details on a database, monitoring their progression, registration of certification of qualifications, covering reception and general office duties like answering the phone, filing and typing letters. Tamara says “I’m so glad that I heard about Martec training’s Apprenticeships via Connexions, I really didn’t want to go back into a classroom environment after I left school so this has been ideal for me. It has enabled me to learn new skills and get a wage at the same time. I think that to work in Business Administration you should be polite, have a good telephone manner and be able to multi task. These are things that I have been able to develop during my time working at Martec training and the friendly staff are always able to offer me help or support if I need it.” For more information visit www.martectraining.co.uk

Foundation Degrees

A Foundation Degree is a higher education qualification which combines academic study with practical hands-on experience. Designed jointly by universities, colleges and employers, they should give you the right skills to be ready for employment. They are university-level qualifications and are equivalent to the first two years of an honours degree. A typical full-time Foundation Degree takes two years to complete, and are different from Honours Degrees as they usually involve learning in the workplace as well as at university or college. You can do a Foundation Degree in customer service management.

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www.brea admin careers Institute of merservice.com - The www.instituteofcusto Customer Service n e Council for Administratio www.cfa.uk.com - Th b we the on s film rs ree k - Ca www.careersbox.co.u resource s eer ia.co.uk - Our online car www.opendoorsmed

g e t in t o t h e a t re .o rg working your way into theatre

How do I get to work in a theatre? What opportunities are available to me? What grades do I need? All of these questions and more can be answered at www.getintotheatre.org, where you’ll ﬁnd the latest training and job opportunities, advice from professionals already in the industry and loads more...

g e t in t o li v e m u s ic .o

working your way into live music

How do I get work experience in live music? What kind of jobs are there in the live music industry? What qualiﬁcations should I be doing? www.getintolivemusic.org has just been launched and it’s where you’ll ﬁnd the latest training and job opportunities, guidance on what courses you should be taking and info about how to get on in the live music industry.....

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CREATIVE, DIGITAL & MEDIA SECTOR Imagine seeing your designs on a huge advert

Playing computer games could be part of your job

You could work with famous actors on a TV set You could chase down hot stories for a newspaper If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a creative person, there are so many exciting career paths before you...

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CREATIVE, DIGITAL & MEDIA From fashion and film to design and new media, it’s all about the creative buzz in this exciting, fast-paced industry. Vocational learning is a great way to get your foot in the door! Forget the starving artist. If you’re a creative person, there are many ways to have a successful career. This industry covers things that play a big role in our everyday lives, from the television we watch to the websites we click on. Because it’s such an exciting sector, competition for jobs can be high so work experience and on-thejob training is highly recommended. Here are some of the biggest areas within this sector:

Graphic design

Fashion

Performing arts

Publishing

We live in a world of visual messages: websites, billboards, magazines, signs, packaging, etc. A graphic designer uses type (lettering) and images to get information across and make an impact. Earnings: Salaries start anywhere between £13,000 and £18,000 a year.

It takes years of practice, talent, hard work (and luck) to be a performer, but there are plenty of supporting roles on offer. You could help light the productions, dress the actors in wardrobe or man the ticket booth – all without the risk of stage fright! Earnings: Salaries are between £12,000 and £16,000 a year.

Interactive media

Interactive media or ‘new media’ covers any digital product that responds to the user’s action by presenting pop-ups, text, video and sound. Facebook is a perfect example – others include iPhone apps, viral ads and dynamic websites. It’s all things digital, and it’s a fast-paced industry where technology pushes forward each day. Earnings: As creative and IT-type role, salaries are quite high for the industry – you could make between £16,000 and £20,000 a year.

Computer games

It takes a team of creative types to produce something like Call of Duty – level designers who map out the game, graphic designers who imagine what it all looks like, and games testers to make sure there’s no glitches.. Earnings: Salaries start between £15,000 and £19,000 a year.

This stylish industry needs fashion designers to dream up the next hot look, pattern cutters to turn the designs into real clothes, buyers to stock shops with the best trends, managers to make sure everything runs to budget, plus many more hard-working people. Earnings: Starting around £12,000-£15,000.

Without this industry, the media you’re reading wouldn’t exist. From journalists looking for the big story to book editors crafting an author’s manuscript into a bestseller, this is an industry for people who love the written word. Earnings: Between £15,000 and £20,000 a year.

Film & TV

We all know who the actors are, but what about the hundreds of names that scroll by during the end credits? They all perform technical roles that equal a great film: production assistants, camera operators, set designers, lighting technicians, directors, special effects people, etc. Earnings: Salaries start quite low (£12,000 a year), but can build up with experience and hard work.

Animation

It’s more than just cartoons – films like Toy Story proved just how profitable animation can be. In addition to films, you’ll find animated content on TV, in films, adverts, website and computer and video games. Earnings: Between £16,000 and £20,000.

USEFUL LINKSto search for media courses courses.skillset.org – great place www.skillset.org – the sector skills council for creative, digital and media www.ccskills.org.uk – Creative and Cultural Skills www.bbc.co.uk/workexperience – work experience placements at the BBC www.careersbox.co.uk - Careers films on the web www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk - Our online careers resource

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GET QUALIFIED! There are plenty of vocational & academic courses in this sector...

Apprenticeships

The creative Apprenticeship is a way to get your foot in the door of this exciting industry. You’ll get a job with an employer and do half of your learning on the job, and half in the classroom with a college or training provider. The work experience will give you a real advantage over other candidates. Here are the Apprenticeship frameworks relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 2: • Creative • Design • Fashion and Textiles • Freelance (Music Practitioner) • Games Testing

Advanced Apprenticeships

Advanced Apprenticeships are equivalent to A Levels, but like Apprenticeships are advantageous for practical roles. Advanced Apprenticeships help you become more qualified whilst gaining employment experience. Here are the Apprenticeship frameworks relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 3: • Creative • Creative and Digital Media • Design • Fashion and Textiles • Freelance (Music Practitioner) • Photo Imaging for Staff Photographers

A Levels

A Levels can either lead to university or a Foundation Degree, which are explained below. Most employers and universities will value subjects that demonstrate you have solid base level knowledge and would be able to develop skills relevant to the industry. Here are some recommended A Level subjects, which could set you in the right direction: • Art and Design • Dance • Drama and Theatre Studies • Fine Art • Graphic Design • History of Art • Media Studies • Music/Music Technology • Performance Studies • Performing Arts • Photography • 3D Design

Foundation Degrees

A Foundation Degree is a higher education qualification which combines academic study with practical hands-on experience. Designed jointly by universities, colleges and employers, they should give you the right skills to be ready for employment. They are university-level qualifications and are equivalent to the first two years of an honours degree. A typical full-time Foundation Degree takes two years to complete, and are different from Honours Degrees as they usually involve learning in the workplace as well as at university or college. They are available in a range of subjects, such as creative writing or animation.

CASE STUDY Lauren finds her voice If you ask talented singer, Lauren Corcoran what she gained most of all during her time as a music student at Birmingham Metropolitan College, her answer would be confidence. “When I first started my course, I wasn’t very outgoing and would get really nervous about performing in front of others,” she recalled. “My course opened me up to all aspects of the professional music industry and my lecturers encouraged me to take up every opportunity to learn and develop. “Students had full use of the studios so we could explore different types of music and work as producers and technicians.” “Being part of the College’s own label, Forerunner Records was amazing. I learned a lot about writing and recording music with others and am now more confident about performing my own work. “I’ve also been able to perform at major venues like Birmingham’s LG Arena where I was part of an act that opened for Leona Lewis and McFly. I wouldn’t have enjoyed experiences like this anywhere else.” Lauren’s triple Distinction grade led to her progressing to Bath Spa University where she will continue studying music technology while writing and performing her own material. For further information about Birmingham Metropolitan College visit www.bmetc.ac.uk

WEST MIDLANDS FOCUS A lot of people in our region are employed in this industry, and it is growing . Birmingham dominates the sector in this region. If you like the idea of not being tied down to one employer, freelanc ing is quite common in this industry. The roles available vary from content production and photo imaging to publishin g and computer game production.

Fast facts:

• Over 18,000 people work in this industry here. • The West Midlands is home to 4% of creative, digital and media employe es. • The most popular area of the sector here is publishing; around 8,000 people

work in publishing in our region.

Start learning!

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ENERGY AND RENEWABLES SECTOR You could be working with state of the art nuclear technology Lots of fresh recruits are needed with the new technology being developed

In helping to develop lowcarbon energy your career could help save the planet You could work in the great outdoors ... or even at sea If you like variety this could be the sector for you, there are opportunities for all ... 29

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ENERGY & RENEWABLES The energy and renewables Sector is one of the most varied and diverse of all the industry sectors. There are lots of different job roles, from engineers and technicians, to operatives and customer care staff. With the development of low carbon and renewable energies it’s also one of the most exciting sectors to work in! Here are some of the most popular job roles you can get into, for more information on these check out the useful links across the page:

ROLES Nuclear Technician Technicians perform design, specification, testing and procurement, as well as assessing plant safety and procedures. Laboratory Technician Laboratory technicians provide quality control by carrying out routine and non routine testing on different sample products, such as petroleum. Maintenance Engineer Maintenance engineers are responsible for ensuring the continuous running of machinery and equipment, organising routine maintenance procedures and carrying out repairs. Oil and Gas Maintenance These roles are usually based on offshore oil or gas platforms, and can involve repairing machinery, instruments and electronics. Network Officer Provide engineering support and management of design, construction, operation and maintenance of the network. Making sure energy gets from power stations to customers safely and effectively. Electrical Generation Worker Directly operate equipment within the power station. Whether utilising gas, coal, wind power or nuclear power they are on the frontline of generating the energy. Recycling Operative Collect and transfer recyclable materials to designated facilities, from a variety of households, industrial and commercial premises. Water Network Operative Work outside on the heavy machinery that is vital to the network, a physical job for those who have an aptitude for using tools and instruments. With many roles in the industry being engineering or technically focused there are lots of vocational pathways into the energy and renewables sector. There is also a lot of scope for progression as more skills are gained too, with roles for university graduates, as well as entry level apprentices.

SALARIES If you decide to enter the industry thro ugh an apprenticeship you can expect to start earning a minimum of £95 per week – increasin g as you train. Salaries within the industry vary from £13,000 - £30,000 depending on skill level and the role. This industry is one of the best in terms of earning pote ntial for those who enter through vocational pathways, for example many off-shore roles pay as much as £45 ,000. The EDF Advanced Nuclear Apprent iceship scheme is a good example of how a vocational route can help you get ahead. It is a four year scheme whic h starts with a basic pay rate of £8,900 and increases up to £17,000 by the end, meaning that you’ll have earn ed money and gained a valuable qualification in the industry at the same time.

WEST MIDLANDS FOCUS E-On have their UK Power suppliers like NPower and There are also lots of s. head offices in the West Midland er who look after Wat t Tren ern people employed by Sev ring the second biggest the water network in region, cove s. There are a number area of all the English water provider can lead to that rses of colleges in the area with cou College Coventry, City de; inclu e careers in the sector, thes th Worcestershire City of Wolverhampton College, Sou & Technology, South College, Shrewsbury College of Arts Warwickshire College , ege Birmingham College, Walsall Coll gy. nolo Tech of ege and Worcestershire Coll

Fast Facts

panies are reporting • 21% of the region’s petroleum com fresh recruits. for need a is e ther so s, skills shortage the nation’s of • The West Midlands is home to 10% petroleum workers! d in the oil & gas industry in • Over 4,000 people are employe the West Midlands.

Start learning!

les in the West Midlands? Want a course in energy & renewab to access your local Then turn to page 52 to find out how offering what course in ’s who 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you visit d your local area, or you coul www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

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CASE STUDY GET QUALIFIED! There are multiple routes into the energy and renewables sector. With many of the roles being hands-on and technically challenging, vocational courses offer qualifications to help your career progress...

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a great way to get into the energy industry as they offer the practical experience required to quickly progress as an engineer or technician. Because the sector is so varied the type of work undertaken will depend on the employer and the role you’re in. Below are the Apprenticeship frameworks available in the sector, all of these are NVQ level 2: • Gas Industry • Polymer Processing and Sign making • Power Industry • Sustainable Resource Management • Water Industry

Advanced Apprenticeships

Advanced Apprenticeships are equivalent to A Levels, but like Apprenticeships are advantageous for practical roles. Historically Advanced Apprentices have progressed significantly in the industry and many have gone on to become supervisors or managers. Many have remained in the industry for their whole career as this is the start of progressing to a skilled status. Below are the Apprenticeship frameworks available in the sector, all of these are NVQ level 3: • Advanced Nuclear • Gas Industry • Nuclear Decommissioning • Polymer Processing Operations • Power Industry • Sustainable Resource Management • Water Industry

A Levels

A Levels can either lead to university or a Foundation Degree, which are explained below, but which ones are right for you depend on what role you want to do. Most employers and universities value practical and scientific subjects, these demonstrate that you would be able to understand how everything works. Here are some recommended A Level subjects, which could set you in the right direction: • Biology • Chemistry • Physics • Maths

Foundation Degrees

A Foundation Degree is a higher education qualification which combines academic study with practical hands-on experience. Designed jointly by universities, colleges and employers, they should give you the right skills to be ready for employment. They are university-level qualifications and are equivalent to the first two years of an honours degree. A typical fulltime Foundation Degree takes two years to complete, and are different from Honours Degrees as they usually involve learning in the workplace as well as at university or college. They are available in a range of subjects, from power distribution to sub-sea engineering, and are a good way to get qualified and gain experience.

Danny Broadbent – Welding Apprenticeship Flying around the world and competing in international competitions... it may come as a surprise, but this is all down to a Power Sector Apprenticeship. Danny Broadbent has successfully completed his Apprenticeship in Welding and is now working for Alstom at Kings North power station in Kent. Danny has carried out his Welding Apprenticeship over four years; one of them at college, with the remaining three working on site with the other Apprentices. Recently returning from Portugal with a silver medal after competing in the International Welding Competition, Danny’s new skills have given him the opportunity to see the world and the flexibility to develop within his role. He plays a very important part in the future of power. Danny works as part of a team of welders, in an encouraging environment, where everyone supports each other and where there is always someone around to offer advice and help if there are any problems. “Day in day out everything tends to be different, it’s a good set of people you work with, with great managers who have taught me a lot. I’d recommend an Apprenticeship to anyone.” Danny Broadbent, Welder, Alstom With Apprenticeships available in the Power Sector there’s never been a better time to think about how you could get involved. The power sector offers you variety, career development and job security and relies on the innovation and hard work of people within it. Be a part of it. www.thinkpowersector.co.uk National Skills Academy for Power Friars Gate  1011 Stratford Road  Shirley Solihull  West Midlands  B90 4BN

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School leavers...

Get in, Get on

GO FREE Free Bus Pass for EVERY full-time 16-18 year-old student* Free Netbook for EVERY full-time 16-18 year-old student** Free activities and social events

*Subject to qualifying criteria. See website. **Subject to attendance and performance. Awarded Spring 2012.

Financial Assistance for students from low-income families

ING N E OP

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Get into the new Sandwell College and you’ll get the skills to get on in life, plus a travel card you can use seven days a week, a netbook and a wide range of free activities and subsidised trips to help you broaden your horizons, free of financial worries. Remember, the new college is right next to West Bromwich bus and Metro stations!

Courses available in:

CNC

Fashion

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Spanish for Tourists

Dental Nursing

Airline Cabin Crew

Computer Games Design

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Sports Studies

Health and Social Care

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GCSE English/Maths/Science

Computer Systems Management (with HP Certified Professional)

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TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY SECTOR You don’t have to work 9-5 in an office

You could take the first career step that Jamie Oliver took

There are careers that can take you around the world More than half of the people in this sector are between 16 and 28 So why not get into one of the UK’s largest, most popular (and fun!) sectors?

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TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY Fancy a career where you help people enjoy themselves, with opportunities to travel in the UK and abroad? Then look no further than the travel and hospitality sector… This is one of the most popular sectors. In our country alone, it employs nearly 2.1 million people and covers a range of industries from restaurants and hotels to tour operators and nightclubs. People working in this industry arrange our holidays, cook for us in restaurants, serve drinks at the bar, lead our tours, and more. It’s a buzzing, exciting sector with many opportunities to work in the UK and abroad. In fact, businesses in this industry take on close to 15,000 new apprentices each year. Here are some of the major areas in travel & hospitality:

Travel services

These are the travel agents and tour operators who help people book their holidays. They work in both call centres and high street travel agencies (like Thomas Cook, STA Travel), advising people on anything from flight schedules and tour packages to travel insurance and visa information. Good customer service is an essential part of this career. Earnings: Salaries start between £11,000 and £14,000 a year.

Catering

This is all about professional cooking – for restaurants, takeaways, canteens, pubs, cafes and anywhere else that boasts a menu. It’s an industry that rewards hard work and ambition. After all, Jamie Oliver started out as a cooking apprentice. Earnings: Salaries start between £10,000 and £13,000 a year.

Air cabin crew

Fancy a career up in the air? These are the people who make sure we’re comfortable and safe during flights. The perks are lots of free travel and a career that’s always on the go. Earnings: Salaries start between £14,000 and £16,000 a year.

Bars & waitstaff

We Brits love to go out. This is the perfect industry for people who like to get out there and mingle. Bar and wait staff work ‘front of house’ in restaurants, pubs and nightclubs and serve customers. It’s all about good customer service…and the tips of course! Earnings: Salaries start between £9,000 and £12,000 a year (plus tips).

Hotels & resorts

It takes a lot of people to run a successful hotel – the receptionists who check in guests, the housekeeper who keeps the sheets crisp, the reservations assistant who makes bookings, the porter who ferries luggage to the room. This industry covers work in hostels, caravan parks and holiday parks too. Earnings: Salaries start between £10,000 and £13,000 a year.

WEST MIDLANDS FOCUS and an Home to the country’s ‘second city’ provides ands Midl t international airport, the Wes or, sect l trave and itality a lot of jobs in the hosp ing com the over e mor s sand thou ct and can expe d base are years. Several large travel businesses son Thom ntry, here too, including Cross Cou ingham is also Holidays and National Express. Birm NEC which the a, aren ts even sive home to a mas . provides even more jobs in hospitality

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Start learning!

ands? Want to find a course in the West Midl access to how out Then turn to page 52 to find who’s you tell will It us. pect your local 14-19 pros you or , area l loca your in se cour t offering wha .co.uk could visit www.opendoorsmedia

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GET QUALIFIED! There are plenty of vocational courses for this sector...

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are the recommended route into this sector. (It’s how Jamie Oliver started.) You’ll get a job with an employer and do half of your learning on the job, and half in the classroom with a college or training provider. There are Apprenticeships ranging from catering to air cabin crew. Here are the Apprenticeship frameworks relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 2: • Cabin Crew • Cleaning and Support Services • Hospitality and Catering • Travel Services

Advanced Apprenticeships

Advanced Apprenticeships are equivalent to A Levels, but like Apprenticeships are advantageous for practical roles. Advanced Apprenticeships help you become more qualified whilst gaining employment experience. Here are the Apprenticeship frameworks relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 3: • Hospitality and Catering • Travel Services

A Levels

Foundation Degrees

A Foundation Degree is a higher education qualification which combines academic study with practical hands-on experience. Designed jointly by universities, colleges and employers, they should give you the right skills to be ready for employment. They are university-level qualifications and are equivalent to the first two years of an honours degree. A typical full-time Foundation Degree takes two years to complete, and are different from Honours Degrees as they usually involve learning in the workplace as well as at university or college. You can do a foundation degree in hospitality and tourism management.

CASE STUDY Nicole Connelly Protocol Consultancy Services is a grade 1 ofsted training provider. IQS Travel were looking for an Apprentice to work within their specialised Travel Agency. They chose Nicole Connelly from Protocol for the apprenticeship. ‘IQS Travel is a travel agency owned by Ideal for All, a charity run by disabled people for disabled people. IQS Travel is a social enterprise where any profit made is invested into the charity to support disabled people and disadvantaged communities in Sandwell. We can help you book your perfect holiday whether it be a short break, honeymoon or a week in the sun with family and friends. We are also specialists in booking holidays for disabled people and groups with specific accessibility requirements. By booking your holiday with IQS Travel you will also support our charity.’ “My name is Nicole Connelly and I was originally taken on by Protocol to do a Business Admin qualification, Protocol then found me a placement at IQS where I am now undertaking a Customer Service Qualification whilst working in Travel. My job role consists of meeting and greeting people, identifying their travel needs, then finding them the best holiday package that I can for the best price possible.” If you are interested in taking on an Apprentice please call Protocol Consultancy Services of the West Midlands on 0121 236 2634 or email a.hunt@protocolgroup.co.uk Or if you would like to book an holiday, please call IQS Travel on 0121 565 7926

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IMAGINE A CAREER... Helping to cure life threatening diseases Making big money deals

Cooking five-star meals

Travelling around the world

Fitting Repairing sports shop Renovating fronts cars old houses

Organising holidays

Working behind the scenes in TV

Designing websites

Saving the planet

Caring for animals Leading outdoor expeditions

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YOUR CAREER, YOUR CHOICE Wondering what other careers are out there? Here are some of the other sectors in your region... Armed Forces

Britain’s armed forces – the Army, Royal Navy, RAF and MoD – all invest a lot in their personnel to give them an education that’s relevant in the civilian world as well as in the services. They all offer Apprenticeships so recruits can earn nationally recognised trade qualifications alongside their regular training. For example, a cook for the Royal Navy could also complete a chef Apprenticeship. Each organisation offers different schemes, so visit their websites for more details. Salary: Starting around £13,400 the first year, with excellent benefits and progression. Qualifications: The armed forces offer Apprenticeships in many areas, including Engineering, Fitting, Maintenance, Cookery, IT, Admin, Marine Engineering and more.

Construction

Its more than just bricks and mortar. The construction industry is worth billions and builds the world around us, from hospitals and houses to bridges and football stadiums. One of the most popular ways into this career is the Construction Apprenticeship Scheme, which takes two years for a Level 2 award, and one more year for the Level 3 qualification. To apply, you’ll need to have found an employer that will sponsor you. Job roles: Bricklayer, labourer, joiner, painter and decorator, plasterer. Salary: Apprentices can expect to earn around £8,700 the first year, £11,600 the next, and £15,350 the third year. Qualifications: Construction Apprenticeships; Foundation Degrees.

Engineering

At the heart of every technological advance is an engineer. Chemical engineers create new fuels to keep vehicles moving; civil engineers design our railways and roads; and aerospace engineers design the most modern aircraft. Engineers use problem solving, creativity and imagination to come up with answers to problems. The main challenge is doing more with less. How can they make something more cheaply, quickly and effectively than ever before? Engineering is one of the most varied sectors out there, with specialist areas like chemical, mechanical, electrical, aerospace, marine and defence. Job roles: Maintenance fitter, welder, mechanical engineering technician. Salary: Starting anywhere between £15,000 and £18,000 per year. Qualifications: Apprenticeships in Engineering; Foundation Degrees.

Environmental & Land-based

This broad sector offers lots of opportunities to make a difference to the planet, from farming and protecting wildlife to looking after parks and conservation. The main areas within this sector are: Horticulture & landscaping, Agriculture, Animal care, Environmental conservation, and Landbased engineering. Salary: Starting between £12,000 and £18,000. Landscape engineers make between £20,000 and £26,000 a year. Qualifications: Apprenticeships from Animal Care to Agriculture; Foundation Degrees.

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Food & Drink

Food and drink is one of the largest industries in the UK – in fact, it even helped pull the country out of the recession. This sector is about taking what’s grown by farmers and transforming it into our favourite foods and beverages. It takes a lot of people working together to make this happen, which means loads of career paths on offer. You could be processing ingredients, fixing machines on the production floor, processing meat, baking cakes or testing quality. Job roles: Production operative, bottling operative, baker, warehouse worker. Salary: Starting between £11,000 and £17,000 a year. Qualifications: Food Manufacture Apprenticeships; Foundation Degree in Food & Drink Management.

Health & Social Care

If you’ve got a big heart and want to work with people, then a career in Health and Social Care could be for you. This sector is about helping people live healthy, full lives. Health care covers careers in medicine (nurses, physiotherapists, dental nurses, etc) while social care is about supporting people with special needs. Most people in this sector work for the NHS while the rest are employed by private practices. Because healthcare is an essential part of our society, there’ll always be jobs on offer for qualified people. In fact, this is one sector that continues to thrive during recessions. Job roles: Care assistant, nursing assistant, dental nurse, porter. Salary: Starting between £13,000 and £16,000 a year. Qualifications: Apprenticeships and Foundation degrees in Health and Social Care.

Hair & Beauty

Manufacturing

Job roles: Hairdresser, spa therapist, beauty therapist, aromatherapist Salary: Starting between £13,000 and £16,000 a year. Qualifications: Apprenticeships from Hairdressing to Beauty Therapy; Foundation Degree in Salon Management.

Job roles: Production and process engineers, technicians, maintenance engineers, welders and machine setters. Salary: Starting between £13,000 and £18,000 a year. Qualifications: Manufacturing Apprenticeships and Foundation Degrees.

This industry is all about helping people look good and feel better about themselves. It’s a booming sector that makes billions each year. There are many different paths within this sector – hairdressing, nail services, beauty therapy, spa therapy – and all of them require common skills: creativity, the ability to work on your feet for long hours, good hand-eye co-ordination and up-to-date knowledge of what’s in (and what’s out).

IT & Telecoms

From mobile phones and satellite TV to broadband and fibre optics, IT & Telecoms are a major part of life – it helps us keep in touch with our friends, stay entertained, conduct business and more. The IT side of things is all about computers and information systems – designing them, developing them, making them, selling them and installing them. Telecoms is a broad term for any technology that transmits information, like phone lines, broadband, TV, mobile phones and satellites. This industry includes internet suppliers, mobile phone companies and the big companies like BT and SKY. Job roles: IT trainer, helpdesk assistant, telecoms technician, customer service representative. Salary: Starting £16,000 - £20,000 for IT and £12,000 - £15,000 for Telecoms. Qualifications: IT Apprenticeships and Foundation Degrees.

From the cars on the motorway to the clothes in your wardrobe, many of the things we rely on have been manufactured. This sector is all about making things on a massive scale: cars, TVs, clothes, aeroplanes, fuel… it’s a very important industry. There are many career paths in the sector, from operating machinery that makes plastics or testing the quality of finished engine parts.

Motor Vehicles

This sector deals with all aspects of cars, vans and motorcycles – selling them, fixing them, servicing them and even rescuing stranded drivers. There are lots of career paths on offer, from technical to customer service based roles; maintenance and repair; sales; body and paint operations; roadside assistance; and fitting and selling motor vehicle parts. Job roles: Maintenance and repair technician, sales assistant, fast-fit technician, body repair technician. Salary: Starting between£13,000 and £18,000 per year. Qualifications: Apprenticeships in Motor Vehicles; Engineering Foundation Degrees (Automotive specific).

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Public Services

In this sector, your work could help other people and improve your local community. Public services are an essential part of our society – education, housing, the police, and the fire service are all services that the government provides for its citizens (that’s you and us). In this sector, you could help organise a community arts programme, work for a housing association or support a teacher in the classroom. Your local council is a large employer in this sector. Contact them directly for job vacancies. Job roles: Classroom assistant, nursery nurse, admin assistant, youth support worker. Salary: Starting between £13,000 and £16,000 a year. Qualifications: Apprenticeships and Foundation Degrees in Public Services.

Retail

Retail is about the sale of products and services to consumers (that’s people like you walking around the shops). It covers high street shops, supermarkets, independent shops, large national chains and more. It’s also one of the most fun and young industries out there, with more than one third of the workforce under 25 years old. Whether your strengths are creativity or organisation, there’s a role for you in Retail. The main areas are: store operations, buying, visual merchandising, and management. Job roles: Sales assistant, visual merchandiser, team leader, buyer. Salary: Starting between £12,000 and £18,000 per year. Qualifications: Apprenticeships and Foundation Degrees in Retailing, Employer sponsored traineeships.

Sport & Fitness

Many people think the only way you can get a career in sport is to become a professional athlete or a PE teacher – but this couldn’t be further from the truth. This sector is about promoting health and fitness. For example, exercise and fitness instructors work for gyms and leisure centres and help people stay fit and healthy. Sports coaches teach skills and techniques at all levels, from beginner to professional. Outdoor activity instructors help people enjoy themselves in the great outdoors and operations managers make sure gyms and leisure centres run smoothly. Job roles: Personal trainer, fitness instructor, swimming coach, leisure centre assistant, playworker. Salary: Starting around £12,000 and can rise to £25,000 with experience and qualifications. Qualifications: Apprenticeships in Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching; Foundation Degree in Playworking.

Transport & Logistics

This sector deals with all sorts of vehicles and their different purposes – the cars and motorcycles we drive, the lorries that transport goods, the trains and buses that travel across the country, even the aeroplanes that arrive and depart from our airports. All of these vehicles require skilled mechanics to keep them running, drivers to operate them safely, and organised people behind the scenes keeping everything to schedule. Many jobs involve manual and mechanical skills, however many roles deal with the public, so people skills are important too. Job roles: Vehicle technician, bodywork repairer, rail engineering technician, lorry driver, baggage handler. Salary: Starting between £12,000 and £17,000 a year. Qualifications: Apprenticeships and Foundation Degrees.

START LEARNING

Want to find a course in one of these sectors? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering what in your local area.

41 41

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SPOTLIGHT ON THE WEST MIDLANDS Birthplace of the industrial revolution

Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK

Has some of the best schools and colleges in the country

Home to BMW, Aston Martin and Jaguar Landrover

Host to major sporting and music events

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YOUR REGION Here’s a look at where you live, and the opportunities there...

Shropshire

WELC OME TO TH WEST E MIDL ANDS

Despite being sparsely populated the county has a strong presence of high technology industries, with manufacturers such as Fujitsu and Hitachi producing loads of electronic products every day in this region. You’ll have no doubt seen the Muller yoghurt adverts on the telly, well Shropshire really is ‘The Dairy County’. Shropshire is home to both Muller Dairy Ltd and Dairy Crest, among others, providing plenty of jobs in various aspects of dairy production. The service sector is also important, contributing to 85% of the jobs in Shropshire, with public services (administration, education & health) and the motor vehicle trade being the two largest industries within this sector.

Staffordshire Shropshire Black Country

Key Sectors: Public service, Manufacture, Food and Drink Key Employers: Muller Dairy, Dairy Crest, Fujitsu, Veterinary charity PDSA 14-19 prospectus: www.shropshireareaprospectus.co.uk

Birmingham Worcestershire

Herefordshire This county is known for its cider manufacture, wit h both Bulmers Cider and Westons based here. It’s not just alcohol though, em ployees here can indulg e in a bit of chocolate too as Herefordshire also house s a Cadburys factory (no w owned by Kraft Food s) responsible for making the chocolate ‘crumb’ use d as a base for their famous Dairy Milk chocolate. There are far more jobs available in agriculture, hunting and forestry in Herefordshire than the rest of the country; 9% of He refordshire’s workforce is employed in this sector compared to the nation ’s 1%. Herefordshire is also ab ove the national averag e for employment in motor veh icle trade & repair, hotels & restaurants and constr uction, so there really is something for everyone. Key Sectors: Agricultur e, Hunting and Forestry, Food and Drink, Health and So cial Work, Manufacturin g. Key Employers: Bulme rs Cider, Cadbury UK 14-19 prospectus: www.myherefordshire.co m/youthzone2010

Warwickshire Herefordshire

Black Country The Black Country gets its name from its coal mining heritage, but these days you’re more likely to get a job in construction or manufacturing! Carillion (the construction giants) have one of their 3 main national offices in Wolverhampton. The area is also home to the Hadley Group, who are known for metal forming, and Goodrich, who supply the aerospace and defence sectors. However these aren’t the only options, there are opportunities from publishing to textiles as well. 14-19 prospectus: www.connexions-bc.co.uk/

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Staffordshire Birmingham Known as the ‘second city’, Birmingham has a large population and huge number of employment and education opportunities. The large ‘Cadbury World’ functions as a food manufacturer and popular tourist attraction, providing lots of varied job opportunities. Some of the country’s biggest travel businesses are based here too, including National Express, Cross Country and Thomson Holidays; this certainly puts the travel sector on Birmingham’s map! Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) hosts loads of different events from Crufts to the Motor show and is also used for concerts; this supplies a lot of career opportunities for the area. Key Sectors: Travel, financial, professional services Key Employers: Cadbury, National Express, Cross Country, Thomson Holidays, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham International Airport 14-19 prospectus: www.youchoose14-19.co.uk

ist venue Alton Towers, which Staffordshire holds the popular tour and hotels and requires a lot of includes a theme park, restaurants . employees to keep it running smoothly important industry in Food and Drink manufacture is an large manufacturers including ral seve to e Staffordshire as it is hom Marmite. Staffordshire holds Coors Brewers, Premier Foods and k industry jobs in the West the largest amount of Food and Drin in this sector are process, with roles Midlands. The most common but there are opportunities for plant and machine operating roles, ent, customer service, sales a variety of roles including managem and administration. asingly important role as The service sector is playing an incre has been closed; it’s now much of the old manufacture industry shire, providing three quarters the biggest sector in south Stafford of the jobs there. Key city: Stoke-on-Trent with recent developments Tourism is very strong in the potteries in Hanley, and the tre Cen g including the Potteries Shoppin on Towers and the Peak . Alt Park ival Fest , entertainment complex ly accessible so there are loads District National Park are both easi of local opportunities in this sector. ure and Tourism, Key Sectors: Food and Drink, Leis n Towers, Michelin Alto , JCB , mite Mar rs: Key Employe .me.uk 14-19 prospectus: www.way2go

Worcestershire Worcestershire is home to the king of Worcester sauce manufacture- Lea and Perrins- this company is based here for obvious reasons, there’s no Wor cester sauce without Worcester! Manufacture as a whole accounts for 21% of all employment in the county; Royal Worcester Porcelain and Carnaud Metalbox- the world’s largest packaging manufacturer- are also based here . Worcestershire sees then benefits of having opportunities in numerous sectors. Combining the efforts of the retail and tourism sectors, including the who lesaling and distribution of goods gives 17% of the county’s pop ulation employment. Key city: Worcester The public sector is the biggest emp loyer in the city of Worcester, with Worcestershire Cou nty Council and Worcestershire Health Authority NHS Trust as key employers. The Finance sector also has a role to play; 16% of Worcester’s employees work with banking, financial services or insurance. Britannic Assurance PLC is based in Worcester and has 1,500 employs alone. Key Sectors: Manufacture, Public Service, Food and Drink, Finance, Retail and Tourism. Key Employers: Lea & Perrins, Half ords, Royal Worcester Porcelain, Morgan Motor Compan y 14-19 prospectus: www.worcestershire14-19prospectu s.co.uk

Warwickshire shire is home to The picturesque county of Warwick home of Stratford’s eare kesp Sha Warwick castle and s which obviously Upon-Avon, both thriving tourist spot ily all quaint ssar bring employment; but it’s not nece r centres. visito for ues que villages and long summer play in Car manufacture has a huge role to based in the es Warwickshire with a lot of big nam n Martin, Asto UK, aru Sub county including BMW, the Warwick in Also UK. p Grou o Volv Land Rover and ington Spa, district- consisting of Warwick, Leam l and Business ncia Fina Kenilworth and Whitenash- the ent. loym emp of lot a Services sectors provide Key city: Coventry ices sector has Coventry has seen the Business Serv employer in the city, est bigg the grown steadily to become . entry Cov in jobs the providing 22% of Services, Key Sectors: Manufacture, Public Distribution and Tourism. , Subaru UK, Aston Key Employers: Volvo, IBM, BMW Grid PLC Martin, Jaguar Land Rover, National co.uk -19. 14-19 prospectus: www.route14

BirMinghaM METropoLiTan CoLLEgE

opEn EVEnTS For SEpTEMBEr 2012 aDMiSSion Birmingham Metropolitan College, one of the leading providers of further and higher education in the West Midlands are now recruiting learners for September 2012 admission. Students, parents and guardians are invited to look around the facilities, meet lecturers and talk to some of our current students. • Over 40 A Levels and 35 Vocational Courses, Apprenticeships and Higher Education programmes available • Adult Learners – find out information about Courses starting in January 2012

Thursday 13 October 2011 - 5.00pm to 8.00pm Saturday 19 November 2011 - 10.00am to 2.00pm

0845 155 0101 www.bmetc.ac.uk Sutton Coldfield Campus Lichfield Road Sutton Coldfield B74 2NW Matthew Boulton Campus Jennens Road Birmingham B4 7PS

James Watt Campus Aldridge Road, Great Barr Birmingham B44 8NE Castle Vale Skills Centre Spitfire House, 10 High Street, Castle Vale, Birmingham B35 7PR

Erdington Skills Centre Edwards Road, Erdington Birmingham B24 9EW The Language Centre Conybere Street, Highgate Birmingham B12 0YL

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IN THE WEST MIDLANDS... The number of employers offering training in the West Midlands is on the rise, making it the perfect place to kick start your career... 33,900 people are employed in the Food and Drink industry

30% of the construction industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s employees are due to retire within 10 years, leaving a lot of vacancies

44,000 people are employed in the passenger transport industry

financial The business, nal and professio or ct services se 100,000 employs over ingham people in Birm

% OF WEST MIDLANDS WORKFORCE IN EACH INDUSTRY Production Industries Construction Wholesale & retail, motor vehicle repair Transportation & Logistics Accommodation & food services Information and Communication Financial & Insurance Real estate Professional, scientific & technical Admin & support Education, Health & Social Care Public admin, arts and other Agriculture, hunting, forestry & fishing 0

The largest financial sector outside of London, employing 90,000 people

160 interactive media businesses operate in this area

est mechanical The West Midlands is one of the larg res in the UK cent ring inee eng g turin and manufac

rk in the Over 33,000 people wo re he tem sys criminal justice

35,000 people work in West Midlands call centres

A world of opportunities... WorldSkills London 2011 will be the world’s largest international skills competition. Young people from across the globe will compete to show they are the best of the best in their skill. Representing the UK at WorldSkills London 2011 are 43 skilled young people aged 18-24 who will compete in 37 skills ranging from Mobile Robotics to Landscape Gardening, and from Cooking to Bricklaying. 86 of the UK’s best students, apprentices and employees aged 18-25 battled it out over 4 days of competition for a chance of a place in Team UK. Over 50% of Team UK members are current or former apprentices and many are already winners of the WorldSkills UK national skills competitions. At a time when you’re making decisions about starting work or training, the WorldSkills 2011 competition shows that Apprenticeships and vocational training can lead to exciting opportunities, as well as worthwhile and fulfilling careers.

As employees, apprentices work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills, and real workplace experience. At the same time, they also receive training to work towards nationally recognised qualifications. Perhaps best of all, since apprentices are employed, they receive a wage and benefit from paid holidays whilst they’re learning their trade. You can enhance your Apprenticeship by taking part in WorldSkills UK national skills competitions. Run annually in over 50 different skills, these competitions allow apprentices to test their skills against the best in the UK. To find out how to enter, please visit www.worldskillsuk.org So why not visit WorldSkills London 2011? The competition is taking place from 5 - 8 October at the ExCeL centre, and if you come along you’ll have the chance to cheer on Team UK, try a skill as part of our Have a Go campaign and get impartial information, advice and guidance about Apprenticeships and much more, from on-hand careers advisors. There will also be the opportunity to find out how you can enter WorldSkills UK competitions. To find out how to visit, please go to www.worldskillslondon2011.com

Joe Price DOB Hometown School College Qualifications

11/04/1991 Telford Burton Borough Newport Shrewsbury College Completed Apprenticeship in Level 3 Carpentry NVQ Level 1 & 2 NVQ Diploma in Carpentry Already competed in WorldSkills UK Carpentry (SkillBuild) 2010, Gold medal winner 2011 Apprentice of the Year Winner, Advanced Apprenticeship category

Local apprentice, Joe Price from Telford in Shropshire, was selected to represent Team UK in Carpentry at WorldSkills London 2011. He spoke to us about his Apprenticeship and competing in WorldSkills. What made you become a Carpenter? I have a real interesting passion in creating things, handling and working with wood and all aspects of practical and technical carpentry.

What do your family and friends think about you competing? They are extremely happy and proud that I am in this position – and are rooting for me all the way.

How did you hear about competitions? Through a previous apprentice and my college who got me involved in the regional competition.

What would you say to other young people considering a vocational career? Do what you really enjoy doing and are passionate about.

What are your biggest personal achievements so far? Winning the national competition in 2010, winning Apprentice of the Year in 2011 and being selected for Team UK. What’s your ambition? To succeed, do well and be happy. I really want to compete at WorldSkills and win a medal! What are you hoping for by competing at WorldSkills London 2011? Experience and respect from everyone. I want the chance to show people my skills.

What do you think getting involved in international competitions could do for your career? Massive opportunities. I hope that it will open doors for me. Something we didn’t know about you... I like to make one off pieces of furniture as a hobby.

To find out more about Team UK, please visit www.worldskillsteamuk.org

Skills Competitions are managed by the National Apprenticeship Service.

Premier supporter of Squad and Team UK and sponsor of WorldSkills, UK Alumni

Premier training and development Partner, Squad and Team UK

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USEFUL LINKS DIRECTORY ONLINE 14-19 PROSPECTUSES COLLEGES Birmingham www.youchoose14-19.co.uk Coventry secure.route14-19.co.uk/CAP/Home. aspx Dudley www.fourteen2nineteen.com/ Hereford www.myherefordshire.com/ youthzone2010/ Solihull www.youchoose14-19.co.uk Sandwell www.4teen9teen.co.uk/ Staffordshire www.way2go.me.uk Stoke www.way2go.me.uk Telford & Wrekin www.options4taw.co.uk Warwickshire secure.route14-19.co.uk/CAP/Home. aspx Wolverhampton www.area-prospectus.com/ Worcestershire www.worcestershire14-19prospectus.co.uk

LOCAL COUNCILS Local Councils mycouncil.direct.gov.uk/

STAFFORDSHIRE Burton College http://www.burton-college.ac.uk 01283 49 4400 City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College www.stokesfc.ac.uk 01782 848736 Leek College of Further Education and School of Art www.leek.ac.uk 01538 398866 Newcastle under Lyme College www.nulc.ac.uk 01782 715111 South Staffordshire College www.southstaffs.ac.uk 0300 456 24 24 Stafford College www.staffordcoll.ac.uk 01785 223 800 Stoke-on-Trent College www.stokecoll.ac.uk 01782 208208

Telford College of Arts and Technology www.tcat.ac.uk 01952 642 200 Walford and North Shropshire College www.wnsc.ac.uk 01691 688 000

BLACK COUNTRY City of Wolverhampton College www.wolvcoll.ac.uk 01902 836000 Dudley College www.dudleycol.ac.uk 01384 363000 King Edward VI College Stourbridge www.kedst.ac.uk 01384 398100

SHROPSHIRE

Sandwell College www.sandwell.ac.uk 0121 556 6000

Derwen College www.derwen.ac.uk 01691 661234

Stourbridge College www.stourbridge.ac.uk 01384 344344

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

Walsall College www.walsallcollege.ac.uk 01922 657000

New College Telford www.nct.ac.uk 01952 641 892

BIRMINGHAM

Shrewsbury Sixth Form College www.ssfc.ac.uk 01743 235491

Shrewsbury College of Arts & Technology www.shrewsbury.ac.uk 01743 342342

Access To Music www.accesstomusic.co.uk 0116 242 6888

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

Worcester College of Technology www.wortech.ac.uk 01905 725555

Bournville College of Further Education www.bournville.ac.uk 0121 483 1000

Worcester Sixth Form College www.wsfc.ac.uk 01905 362600

Cadbury Sixth Form College www.cadcol.ac.uk 0121 458 3898

WARWICKSHIRE

City College Birmingham www.citycol.ac.uk 0121 204 0000 Fircroft College of Adult Education www.fircroft.ac.uk 0121 472 0116 Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College www.jcc.ac.uk 0121 446 2200 Queen Alexandra College www.qac.ac.uk 0121 428 5050 Solihull College www.solihull.ac.uk 0121 678 7000 Solihull Sixth Form College www.solihullsfc.ac.uk 0121 704 2581 South Birmingham College www.sbc.ac.uk 0121 694 5000

WORCESTERSHIRE Kidderminster College www.kidderminster.ac.uk 01562 820811 North East Worcestershire (NEW) College www.ne-worcs.ac.uk 01527 570020

City College Coventry www.covcollege.ac.uk 024 7679 1000 Henley College Coventry www.henley-cov.ac.uk 024 76626300 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

Herefordshire College of Technology www.hct.ac.uk 0800 032 1986 Walsall College www.walsallcollege.ac.uk 01922 657000

OTHER USEFUL SITES Careers Advice www.careersadvice.direct.gov.uk Careers Box www.careersbox.co.uk/ Jobcentre Plus www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/ Martec Training www.martectraining.co.uk National Apprenticeship Service www.apprenticeships.org.uk/ Skill www.skill.org.uk/ Work Experience www.work-experience.org

Stratford-Upon-Avon College www.stratford.ac.uk 01789 267524 Warwickshire College â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Royal Leamington Spa, Rugby & Moreton Morrell www.warkscol.ac.uk 01926 318000

HEREFORDSHIRE Hereford College of Arts www.hca.ac.uk 01432 273359 Hereford Sixth Form College www.hereford.ac.uk 01432 355 166

South Worcestershire College www.sworcs.ac.uk 01386 712600

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WWW.OPENDOORSMEDIA.CO.UK You’ve reached the end of the magazine, but that’s not all we have to offer! We also have the best website out there for finding out about courses and training opportunities in your area, don’t take our word for it though, log on now and check it out... Because we know you want the lowdown on opportunities where YOU live there is a unique site dedicated to your region, click on your area to get started. There are a bazillion websites out there with out of date information on careers and training so the internet can be a confusing place if you’re looking for advice. At Open Doors we put all of the info you need in one place and point you in the direction of the other websites that can help too. Once you’re on the site there are 3 main steps to make sure you get the best information, it’s almost like having a virtual careers advisor!

STEP 1

ER GET THE FREE NEWSLETTyou updated on

sletter and we’ll keep Make sure you sign up for our new more in your area. To sign up just click courses, training opportunities and ’t nal home page, this means you won on the pink box to the left of the regio or se cour new stic fanta a your area has miss a beat as whether a college in ils apprentices to hire we’ll fire the deta new for ing look is r loye a major emp us at Open Doors... direct to your inbox. Just leave it to

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EXPLORE THE SITE

There’s a lot going on in your region and it’s hard to know where to start, but our ‘Careers’ section is the best place get going. This will give you an insight into the careers out there and how to get into them in your area. You can also check out the ‘News’ section for the most up to date information on everything from upcoming open days to providers with new vacancies. If you’re still undecided on what’s best for you head over to the ‘Stories’ section to see what young people who’ve actually been in your shoes have to say.

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FIND YOUR PROVIDER OR COLLEGE

It’s all very well you knowing what career you’re interested in, but you need to know which providers near you can help you get the the qualifications you need. If you head to our ‘Links’ section you can see you, want who area colleges, training providers and employers in your and see what courses they offer. We also link to your local councils and 14-19 prospectuses so if you need more help you can find it there too.

We’re improving our site with swanky new features over the next few months so make sure to come back and have a look regularly. In the meantime check us out on facebook or twitter. You can find the links on the top of our website so come and say hello.... we won’t bite, honest!

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