CONTENTS 03 THE LABOUR MARKET 04 QUALIFICATIONS EXPLAINED
FOREWORD
06 STUDENT FINANCE 07 APPRENTICESHIPS EXPLAINED
11 FOOD SCIENCE CAREERS 13 HOTEL WORK 15 WORKING IN LOGISTICS 19 HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE ROLES
MANAGERS OF LINCOLN CITY FOOTBALL CLUB DANNY AND NICKY COWLEY WELCOME YOU.
21 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
“We are proud and privileged to be asked to contribute to what is a fantastic initiative. Education is vitally important and something we are huge advocates of, coming from a teaching background.
22 ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
25 ESSENTIAL EMPLOYMENT SKILLS
“In this City we have some of the best opportunities for young students to further their education and at Lincoln City Football Club we are all thankful for the relationship that we have with Bishop Grosseteste University. “It is through our thirst for knowledge and willingness to continue to learn that we have achieved what we have in our lives so far, but the learning never stops.
27 WORKING IN
MANUFACTURING
31 HOW TO ACCESS SUPPORT IN LINCOLNSHIRE
“We always want to improve in every aspect of life, our experiences in education have helped shape who we are today and given us the curiosity, resilience and determination to keep learning. “This is a city full of culture, a wealth of knowledge and a place that constantly inspires us to do better. Nicky and I are grateful to have had the chance to work in such a fantastic city, and hope it has a similar effect on young people for many years to come.”
Brought to you by Moving On, a CASCAID Product Editing publisher Lynette Daly Graphic designer Tom Levesley
2
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
EMPLOYMENT
WHAT IS THE LABOUR MARKET AND WHY SHOULD YOU CARE? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW IT.
Y
ou are likely to hear the term ‘the labour market’ a lot but you may not understand what it means.
Any market is about supply and demand – in other words how much of something there is and how many people want it. The jobs market is no different. Understanding the jobs market means finding out which jobs are in demand now and which will be in the future, where those jobs are going to be and what skills and qualifications you need to get them. Demand for different types of workers changes as technology changes. It is also different in different places – in some areas there are lots of engineering jobs, in others, lots of careers in finance. It’s good to know this when you are planning for your future.
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
THE LABOUR MARKET IN LINCOLNSHIRE In Lincolnshire there are particular industries that employ a lot of people and which contribute to the local economy. These include: • Manufacturing and engineering, which employs around 41,000 people • Agriculture and food production, which employs more than 75,000 people • Visitor attractions and tourism, which support over 39,000 jobs • Low carbon, which employs more than 12,000 people • Ports and logistics, which handle huge amounts of cargo, and • Health and care, which employs around 58,000 people.
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
3
QUALIFICATIONS EXPLAINED
ASPIRE
HIGHER
QUALIFICATIONS ARE A WAY OF SHOWING PEOPLE, INCLUDING EMPLOYERS, WHAT SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE, BUT THEY CAN BE A BIT CONFUSING. LET’S TAKE A LOOK…
4
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
Q
ualifications are available at different levels and they can be academic or they can be vocational. The level of a qualification tells you how difficult or advanced the study is.
Level one qualifications include GCSEs at grades D-G (3-1), NVQs, and BTEC awards, certificates or diplomas at level one. Level two qualifications include GCSEs at grades A*-C (9-4), NVQs, and BTEC awards, certificates or diplomas at level two. Once you have completed your study at level two, which includes some compulsory subjects, you can choose. You can stay at school and study at level three, you can go to college and study at level three, or you can apply for an apprenticeship. Examples of level three qualifications are AS and A-levels, level 3 NVQs, and level 3 BTEC awards, certificates or diplomas.
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS
FOUNDATION DEGREE
Higher education (HE) is the final optional stage of education. Traditionally higher education courses were offered only by universities, but now you can take higher education courses at FE colleges and also distance learning courses.
Foundation degrees are level five qualifications, ideal for those who wish to gain work-based skills while also gaining an academic platform for their chosen career.
There is much more to higher education than studying for a full time degree. Higher education qualifications include:
HIGHER NATIONAL CERTIFICATE - HNC An HNC is a level four qualification that takes one year to complete full time and is considered equivalent to completing the first year of an undergraduate degree course. Following an HNC you could go further and complete an HND. Alternatives at this level include level 4 NVQs and BTEC professional qualifications.
HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA - HND At level five, an HND is considered to be roughly equivalent to the second year of a university degree and many people who complete an HND go on to complete a university degree, by-passing the first two years of study. HNDs are vocational qualifications and you should expect a more work-based style of learning. It takes two years to complete an HND full time, unless you have completed an HNC in the subject already; in which case the HND takes only a year to complete.
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
As with HNDs and HNCs, there are lots of vocational subjects offered at foundation degree level. After achieving a foundation degree, you could choose to go on to study for a bachelor’s degree, but it doesn’t have to be straight away. Although many students top up their foundation degree to a full bachelor’s degree, a foundation degree is a degree in its own right.
BACHELOR’S DEGREE Bachelor’s degrees come in a variety of types, including Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), Bachelor of Medicine (BM), Bachelor of Education (BEd), and Bachelor of Laws (LLB). The subjects that you can study for a degree in are too many to mention here and in addition to traditional degrees, universities and higher education establishments also offer many other kinds of courses and qualifications. These include full time and part time courses, such as the one-year Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) and the two-year Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE). You don’t have to stop there of course. There are postgraduate qualifications including master’s degrees, post graduate certificates and diplomas, level 7 and 8 vocational qualifications and of course the PhD! – how far will you go?
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
5
STUDENT FINANCE
MONEY MATTERS TUITION FEES, ACCOMMODATION, LOANS, BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS – WHAT WILL IT COST, HOW CAN I PAY AND WHAT HELP CAN I GET? FIND OUT HERE…
T
uition fees are what colleges and universities charge to cover the cost of teaching you. You can apply for student finance and will receive a loan to cover your tuition fees.
Living costs include everything else that you have to pay for while you are studying – accommodation, food, books, transport and so on. When you apply for student finance to cover your tuition fees you can also apply for a maintenance loan. The amount that you get will depend what your household income is. EXTRA HELP There is extra help available in the form of bursaries and scholarships. Vulnerable bursaries are available if you are looked after, a care leaver, or if you are getting some benefits, such as universal credit. Discretionary bursaries are awarded by colleges or universities to people who are not classed as vulnerable but who need some additional financial support to help them complete their studies. BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED BY UNIVERSITIES Individual universities offer a selection of bursaries and scholarships. Some of these are a payment, others are in the form of a discount. Often there are several different bursaries or scholarships available and they can be based on your household income, where you live, whether you will be studying away from home (a placement year), if you are disabled, if you excel in a sport, music, or a certain academic subject, or if you are care-experienced.
6
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
PAYING FOR YOUR STUDIES Bursaries and scholarships do not have to be paid back, tuition fees and maintenance loans do. You will begin making loan repayments once you are earning over £21,000 per year.* Payments will be taken out of your salary at the same time as tax and national insurance is taken. HOW MUCH WILL YOU REPAY? What you repay has nothing to do with the amount that you have borrowed. Once you are earning on or over the threshold you will repay 9% of anything that you earn over that amount. For example, if you earn £22,000 then you will repay 9% of £1,000 - 9% of £1,000 is £90 so you would pay £7.50 per month. *The earnings threshold will increase from £21,000 to £25,000 from 6th April 2018.
If you are a care leaver applying to university You are encouraged to tick the box to let universities know so that they can assess any support with finance, settling in, and accommodation available to help you as a care leaver. Ask to speak to someone about support for care leavers when you go the university open days. Visit www.propel.org.uk to get more advice and to read about the experiences that other care leavers have had.
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
APPRENTICESHIPS
WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP? HOW DO YOU FIND ONE, AND HOW DO YOU APPLY SUCCESSFULLY?
Like qualifications, apprenticeships are available at different levels – from level two right up to degree level. HOW DO YOU FIND AN APPRENTICESHIP? • Ask at school, visit your local FE college or look on university websites to see what apprenticeships they offer. • Search the government website, www.gov.uk for apprenticeship vacancies. • Look on employer’s websites to see what apprenticeships they offer. HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP? Remember that an apprenticeship is a job and like any other job, you will need to sell yourself to the employer. There will be competition for places on the more popular apprenticeship programmes. THE APPLICATION You should find out as much as you can about the company and the role that you want to apply for so that you are ‘clued up’ and knowledgeable. Explain in your application why you want to work for the company, and how your skills suit the role you are applying for. Tailor your application to each employer for maximum impact.
Your application needs to be easy to read and to the point. You will want to show that you are the right person for the job. Use the apprenticeship summary to see what the provider wants, and show how you match the criteria. Talk about your strengths and what you will bring to the job. You may be asked to say which skills you would like to improve – rather than showing weakness you can show a willingness to improve your existing skills. You may also be asked about your interests and hobbies. This allows you to show a little bit of your personality. Don’t lie and try to make yourself sound more exciting – chances are; you’ll get found out at interview. Once you have written your application, check it over for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Don’t rely on your computer to do this, but get someone to make sure everything is fine. Also, check your social media and make sure there is nothing embarrassing on there – the employer may look you up online. INTERVIEWING FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP The final step is the interview. Wear formal business clothes. Even if you feel over-dressed, it’s better than looking scruffy. You only get one chance to make a first impression – so make it count!
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
APPRENTICESHIPS EXPLAINED
A
n apprenticeship isn’t a qualification but many do include studying for a qualification. An apprenticeship is a job which includes training.
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
7
STUDYING BUSINESS AT BISHOP GROSSETESTE UNIVERSITY
H
ere at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), we’ve been educating students in the historic heart of the City of Lincoln for over 150 years, located on a beautifully green and pleasant campus just a few minutes’ walk from Lincoln Cathedral, Castle and the old Roman city. Our students are some of the happiest in the UK, and we hold the best employability record for any university in the country. Not only are we in the top three UK universities for student employability, but for the last eight out of 10 years we’ve been top nationally for employability and further study one year after graduation. We were also recently rated amongst the very best universities in the UK for teaching excellence, according to the latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). WHAT’S IT LIKE STUDYING AT BISHOP GROSSETESTE? Faye is in her final year of the Business (Team Entrepreneurship) course and says: “When I came to an Open Day at BGU I had the opportunity to sit in the Refectory (the restaurant and coffee shop on campus) and have a one-to-one chat with one of the course leaders. It was lovely and he was great. We talked through everything about the course and that was it really – it just went from there! I also thought the campus was lovely, it was really pretty and seemed really warm and cosy.
“I’m in my third year now and the course has been great. Not only have I learnt about business and got the experience behind me, but it’s been a life-changing experience. It’s really helped me grow up from the teenage college stage I was at when I started, to where I need to be now, and on to leaving and graduating. “BGU has already helped me with my future, as Sophie and I have been running the smoothie bar in the Students’ Union building and we have been given the opportunity to continue that after we graduate. “My advice to anyone thinking about doing this course is to just do it! Take the opportunity while you can – it opens so many doors (and your eyes)!” Our portfolio of courses is constantly being expanded, with a brand new Business degree starting in September 2018, to run alongside our already successful Business (Team Entrepreneurship) course.
LINK For more information on our Business degrees, and all other courses offered at BGU, visit our website now www.bishopg.ac.uk/movingon - or email us at enquiries@bishopg.ac.uk 8
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
HIGHER APPRENTICESHIPS
WE’RE ABOUT TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK, SO WHAT BETTER TIME TO TALK ABOUT HIGHER APPRENTICESHIPS?
A
pprenticeships are available at levels 2 – 7. Levels 4 – 7 include higher apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships.
Higher apprenticeships are equivalent to a certificate or diploma of higher education, foundation degree or bachelor’s degree. Degree apprenticeships, which are designed by employers, include working towards a bachelor’s or a master’s degree as part of your apprenticeship.
nce?
What’s the differe
Successfully comp leting a higher ap prenticeship is equal to complet ing a qualification at the same level, suc h as a degree. A de gree apprenticeship, by contrast involves stu dying for a degree whilst wo rking as an apprenti ce.
AVAILABLE HIGHER AND DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS There are too many higher apprenticeships to list them all but here are just a few of the degree apprenticeships that exist: • Product design and development engineer • Manufacturing engineer • Healthcare science practitioner • Food industry technical professional • Digital and technology solutions professional • Chartered manager • Aerospace engineer Higher and degree apprenticeships are available in many sectors and there are lots more being developed too – including in the fields of architecture, town planning, ecology and journalism. THE PROS AND CONS OF HIGHER APPRENTICESHIPS The obvious pros are not having to pay tuition fees, being paid a wage while you are an apprentice, and getting lots of work experience and training from experts. The cons are that whilst your friends are off at university enjoying things like Fresher’s Week and late nights, you will be working hard and having to get up in time to get to work.
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
LINKS If you want to find out more about higher and degree apprenticeships, visit www.instituteforapprenticeships.org and to search for apprenticeship vacancies near you and apply – visit www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
9
ADVANCING AT BOSTON COLLEGE
S
ophie, Charlotte, Natalie, Paige and Emily are all studying for a Foundation Degree in Applied Studies (Education) and hoping to become qualified primary school teachers.
“Before we started our studies on the Applied Studies (Education) Foundation Degree, we all completed an Advanced Apprenticeship in Supporting Teaching and Learning in School (STLiS). “We completed our apprenticeships at Boston College, so it made sense to continue our studies here. “Studying the foundation degree meant that we attended college one day a week, and worked as teaching assistants in local primary schools for the other four days. “The foundation degree enabled us to gain handson experience in our schools, as well as gaining theoretical knowledge. The class size on the foundation degree programme was small, so we were also able to share experiences and support one another. “After completing the foundation degree, we progressed on to Bishop Grosseteste University, and we all hope to qualify as primary school teachers in 2018/19.”
The college offers high quality HE courses to support students to gain qualifications without having to leave their work or home. Students are also able to complete apprenticeships and then gain the HE qualifications needed to get into higher paid careers, for example teaching, and management.
Boston College offers higher education in a range of subject areas: business, computing, health and social care, music, performing arts, early years, special educational needs and disability.
LINK To find out more visit: www.boston.ac.uk
10
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
FOOD SCIENCE
MAKING GOOD FOOD EVER WONDERED WHO COMES UP WITH THOSE PRE-PACKED, READY MEALS THAT YOU TUCK INTO? FIND OUT WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A FOOD TECHNOLOGIST.
F
ood science is not limited to ready meals. Food technologists develop safe, nutritious products, including drinks, cakes, sandwiches and salads.
The job of the technologist includes developing brand new products, changing existing products and creating dietary specific versions of products. It’s a fast-paced industry which is growing quickly. Whilst coming up with a new product may sound simple, remember that products will be mass produced and that the quality and taste of every item needs to be consistent. The day-to-day job will differ depending on where you work and who you work for but working as a food technologist normally includes selecting ingredients to use in products, working out the costs involved in producing products, and dealing with any product issues. This is a technical role that involves working with other people. This means that you should expect to use IT, maintain health and safety standards and practices as well as technical procedures, conduct audits, resolve problems and communicate with people. WHERE DO FOOD TECHNOLOGISTS WORK? Food technologists work for food and drink manufacturing companies, central and local Government, retailers, and major supermarkets. Because they can be employed in any of these sectors the working environment of a food technologist can vary. They can work in factories, laboratories, kitchens and the offices of large organisations.
The Level 3 Food Technologist Apprenticeship Length: 36 months When to do it: after GCSEs What you learn: food chemistry, industry standards, costs and quality and food technology processes Qualification: Level 3 Diploma in Food Technology
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
WHAT TO STUDY IF YOU WANT TO WORK IN FOOD SCIENCE There are some specific qualifications available from level one upwards, including food technology, food manufacturing and food safety. These include academic qualifications, such as A-levels and also vocational / technical qualifications. Beyond level three you could study for a higher national certificate, higher national diploma or a degree in food science or technology, nutrition and health, or food safety / quality management. TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
11
LIFELONG LEARNING AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE
A
fter 28 years with the RAF, former Chief Tech, Michael Harney decided to leave the Forces and to take his electrical engineering career to new heights. He came to Grantham College to study an HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Michael is now employed as a maintenance engineering technician by Amazon UK.
Michael Harney - HNC Electrical & Electronic Engineering
“I wanted the course to take my understanding of electrical engineering to a new level. I had hoped for a wide spectrum of topics that reflected what was current in the engineering sector. The course did not disappoint and in retrospect was very relevant to the engineering sector.
“The most enjoyable part of the course for me was the project – it gave me free rein to project manage the design and build of an electrical/electronic device or machine. I found study challenging at times but it was worth it and the college was very supportive towards my needs. “I would like to progress further towards an HND or Foundation Degree in Engineering. My current role demands that I be both electrically and mechanically proficient, so I am going to also look at relevant mechanical courses.”
Ashley Blake studied a Foundation Degree in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities at Grantham College while working as a teaching assistant. Ashley completed her BA (Hons) in Professional Studies (Childhood and Youth) at Bishop Grosseteste University, gaining first class honours. She was also awarded the Chancellor and Councillor Award for Academic Achievement. She will be continuing her studies at Nottingham Trent University. “I wished to increase my knowledge and skills to further help children with special educational needs and disabilities and also to achieve a full degree in the process. The foundation degree offered by Grantham College appealed to me for a number of reasons and the flexibility of the course made it possible to have a balance between my work and personal life. “As a mature student, this was initially an area of concern for me as I was unsure as to how I would juggle all of this. Completing the course on a parttime basis with the invaluable support and expertise from our lecturer, Lydia Spenceley, I found that my confidence grew.
Ashley Blake - Foundation Degree in SEN and Disabilities
“The content of the course was extremely interesting throughout the three years and beneficial to me in my career. Studying part-time requires a great deal of commitment but I would thoroughly recommend this route of study to anyone wishing to achieve a degree and go further, the rewards are infinite and open many doors for the future.”
LINK To find out more visit www.grantham.ac.uk
12
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
HOSPITALITY
WHAT’S IT LIKE WORKING IN A HOTEL? WE CAUGHT UP WITH JORDAN, BEN AND TOM AT THE PRIORY HOTEL, LOUTH TO FIND OUT.
J
ordan, Ben and Tom all work at the Priory Hotel, Louth and they all love it. We asked them why.
JORDAN’S STORY “I have been working as a gardener / maintenance person at the Priory Hotel just over a year. I started on a work placement and progressed onto an apprenticeship. “I found out about the Priory from Lincolnshire Council’s Young People’s Learning Provision. They supported me into a work placement at the Priory. I needed no formal qualifications as I learnt on the job. “The most challenging thing about my job is the changing weather but I enjoy working outside and that every day is different. I also enjoyed being part of security and marshalling for the music festival. “ TOM’S STORY “I have worked at the Priory Hotel since April 2016. I started on a work placement which developed into an apprenticeship in housekeeping. “As part of my apprenticeship I gained first aid skills. I have also developed skills including communication, teamwork and adaptability. My willingness to learn new things has helped me to progress to the role of head of housekeeping. “My employer is very supportive and a huge inspiration to me. Despite being partly deaf in both ears and being diagnosed with Autism this has not prevented me from excelling in hospitality. “
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
BEN’S STORY “After going round in circles doing various college courses and work placements that didn’t really lead to anything I was at a dead end and struggling with various issues. I had a talk with Paul, the hotel manager at The Priory and he gave me a chance - two years on and I’m still here! “I suffered with bad nerves and was a big worrier when I first joined the team. Now it seems that not much phases me. I feel that I have become calmer and less nervous and handle stressful situations so much better than I did before. My CV is looking more solid than ever too. “Paul is a people person who saw potential in me when I didn’t see it there in myself. He is all for getting his staff trained up and unleashing their potential and I’m currently on a bar apprenticeship. I like interacting with guests, learning about the various drinks and recommending the right drinks to the customers.”
LINK The Priory Hotel is a small, quirky, independent hotel with a big heart. To find out more visit www.thepriorylou th.weebly.com
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
13
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PATH WITH THE GRIMSBY INSTITUTE GROUP
T
he Grimsby Institute Group was graded as outstanding by Ofsted in May 2017 recognising our quality and care to teaching and learning.
We know that choosing the right path is important and we are all about helping our students meet their goals in life, whatever they want to be. We are focused on getting them on the right track for their dream career. Students can be certain, when choosing to study with us that they will be getting an education in an inspiring and innovative environment. We offer over 100 further and higher education courses in more than 30 subject areas and we also provide apprenticeships, community provision, business training, work-based training and commercial activities. Away from their studies students can make the most of our fantastic range of facilities and services. Our £6 million sports centre is at the heart of our Nuns Corner campus, offering a variety of sport sessions as well as the opportunity to exercise in a fully equipped gym at a reduced membership price. The Nuns Corner campus is also home to our £4 million creative hub, the Grimsby School of Art and our £20 million University Centre (UCG). UCG provides higher education in a variety of subject areas in partnership with Hull University. Our students study in industry-standard facilities with access to state-of-the-art equipment and leading technology to ensure our learners are fully prepared for career success. These include clinical skills rooms, laboratories for science and sport physiology, and studios for television and radio broadcasting. Our Nunsthorpe campus provides students with land-based studies including horticulture and animal care, giving students valuable hands-on experience.
14
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
The Grimsby Institute Group provides outstanding education in a number of locations outside Grimsby including Skegness TEC which offers a variety of full time courses including beauty therapy, business, and health and social care. Skegness TEC also provides part time courses for those looking to gain skills in ICT or GCSE qualifications in maths and English. At the Grimsby Institute Group, we inspire our learners through an exciting range of programmes and partnerships that directly involve them in a range of community projects. It is highly important to us that we provide opportunities that ensure that your work and skills are recognised within our local communities.
LINK For further information, call us on 0800 328 3631 or visit our website www.grimsby.ac.uk for up-to-date course information.
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
MOVING PARTS
JOBS IN LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT ARE ALL ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT THE RIGHT PEOPLE, GOODS OR SERVICES ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME.
M
ovement of goods or people might be by road, rail, air or sea and jobs in transport and logistics include everything from warehouse workers to commercial airline pilots.
Supply chain management (making sure that materials and components are at the right place at the right time) is one important role in logistics. We had a chat with James Bell, supply chain and logistics manager at Lincolnshire based Micronclean Ltd to find out about his work. “I am responsible for most of what comes into Micronclean and everything that goes out. We buy a lot of our consumable range from the Far East. These are items such as dry wipes, overshoes, disposable garments and gloves, so I deal with the suppliers and arrange to ship goods over by container loads. In addition, we also buy products from the USA and Europe. “My role involves ensuring products are delivered to our customers. Most of these are in the UK and we have seven distribution depots. Each night we take clean garments and consumable products to every depot ready to be delivered the next morning. The delivery drivers drop these off on their rounds whilst also collecting dirty laundry and bringing it back to the depot. The vehicles then bring these back each night and the process starts all over again. “The whole job is about making sure we get the right stuff to the right place at the right time as efficiently as possible. My responsibilities are wide-ranging and every day is different. As much as I enjoy the wide remit it is a challenge to juggle everything. “I get to travel a lot within the UK but also around the world visiting suppliers. The key to success is the relationships built with colleagues and suppliers.
FACT There are 14 transp ort and logistics apprenticeship sta ndards available. Th ese include the level 2 supply chain opera tor and the level 3 sup ply chain practitio ner.
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
“I don’t think a lot of people, young or old, fully understand what logistics, let alone supply chain, really means and the full extent of what we do. I think by understanding better the roles available then people will be more interested.”
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
15
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
Meet the mentors HAVING A MENTOR CAN HELP BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE, MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS AND PURSUE YOUR DREAMS – WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO LINCOLNSHIRE LEARNERS.
L
iNCHigher operates two mentoring schemes supported by national mentoring charity Brightside. One for Year 10 learners and the other for Year 12s. Both provide information and guidance towards higher education.
The Year 12 scheme matches young people with undergraduate students from a variety of backgrounds, courses and institutions based around the UK. Brightside recruit and train the volunteers and personally match each mentor and mentee to ensure there will be a productive relationship. Year 10 mentors are hand selected by LiNCHigher from applicants who study at Lincoln University or Bishop Grosseteste University. Mentees are therefore able to work face-to-face with their mentors to develop SMART targets and map goals towards their future. Phase one of the schemes ran from May to September 2017 and engaged 100 young people. Phase two of the schemes has been expanded to include 230 young people and runs from January to March 2018. Following high levels of engagement and a positive response to the schemes, a further scheme has been introduced. This has been developed in collaboration with the University of Nottingham Medical School and is specifically for young people interested in a career in medicine.
16
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
The scheme will showcase the fantastic opportunities within medicine and will run from March to September 2018, allowing mentors to support with UCAS applications, which will be a crucial time for future Year 13s. “My name is Bhavesh Bhagwanji. I’m a second year business and finance student. “I still remember my first year at university; we had moved in, it was my first time away from home and tears were shed. I wasn’t alone though, a lot of my acquaintances were in the same position. “The first year of university is a great experience as you make friends that you are most likely to see through the whole of your degree. You may end up living with them too. “There are lots of societies and clubs that you can join where you meet students who share your interests.; I joined the badminton society. “I do several things at university. I host a radio show, and I’m part of the Lincoln Business School Mentor Scheme – I’m being mentored by a trained accountant. I became a LiNCHigher mentor because I wanted to provide students with the support that I never had. FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
“The scheme aims to eliminate any misconceptions that students have about higher education and my role is to help students with their career, apprenticeship and higher education choices. As a mentor, I have lots of resources available to me and I use these to help the students that I support. Lots of first year students need a bit of support with the social side of living away from home but others need some help with looking for part time work, extracurricular activities and their second year options and that’s what I’m here for.” “Hi! My name is Ondrej, I am 20 and I come from the Czech Republic. I am studying Psychology with Clinical Psychology at the moment, and I would like to become a clinical psychologist.
“Some of the common things that first year students need some support with include living on their own – they need to learn to take care of themselves because takeaway, noodles and coke are not good for you long-term. They also need to learn to manage their time and workload and a mentor can help with this or can signpost someone who can. “Being a mentor has improved my skills too. I’ve gained communication and people skills and improved my research skills.”
“I have always liked working with people – I was an English teacher, a supervisor at summer camps, and an assistant medical officer. Also, my mom is a primary teacher back home and I used to come to her classes and help out with events, camps and excursions. When I saw the offer, I instantly knew mentoring would be the right thing for me.
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
“For me, mentoring is about helping my mentees explore where they want to go and what they want to do. It also involves helping them understand what life will be like if they continue with their studies as it can be quite a shock when you become a university student. Sharing a few tips and some recipes can help, but also, just being there for them when they want to talk.
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
LINK You can find out more about Brightside, including how to become a mentor at www.brightside.org.uk
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
17
WHAT DOES YOUR FUTURE HOLD?
W
hen it comes to choosing a career, the options can be overwhelming! It can be difficult to know where to start looking, and the costs of training can be offputting too. Lincolnshire County Council’s School Leaver Programme could help you discover the right career, whilst also paying you a salary and your training fees. We are looking for: • team players over 16 • people with a great attitude • those who thrive in a busy environment Could you design the next major roads in Lincolnshire to cater for self-drive cars? You could begin your career in highways and technical services. Could you work with families and vulnerable people? You could be the voice of reason for families who have hit hard times, working in our social care team. Could you find better services at better prices for our county? You could be working in our procurement and commissioning team. Could you see yourself in the law profession fighting for justice in court? You could be working in our legal team.
Could you teach science to the children who may go on to cure diabetes? You could be working in our schools. WHAT DO WE OFFER? Apprenticeships are a great way to continue your education and training but within a proper work environment and being paid a salary. Through an apprenticeship you will learn in the workplace, as well as attending formal training at college or university. Traineeships can last from a minimum of six weeks to a maximum of six months, and are available to young people who are motivated to work but haven’t been able to get an apprenticeship or job because they lack the relevant skills or experience. Traineeships help prepare you for your future career, with a substantial work experience placement, support with maths and English where appropriate, and employability skills. The programme is designed to help you move on to an apprenticeship or into another job.
Could you provide support to any of these services, and develop expertise in a range of administrative skills? You could be working in our business support team.
18
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
LINK To register your interest in our School Leavers Programme for 2018, please email YESYOU@lincolnshire.gov.uk
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
CARING CAREERS
TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THE SUBJECT THAT YOU LOVE MIGHT BE APPLIED TO WORKING IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE.
I.T. IN HEALTHCARE CLINICAL INFORMATICS
A role in clinical informatics involves capturing, communicating and using data and clinical knowledge to support healthcare professionals. The job ranges from analysing information about patients falling over on hospital wards in order to prevent further accidents occurring, to running systems that are designed to store and share X-ray, ultrasound and MRI scans.
If you’re interested in this particular career path you can start in a junior role where clinical experience is not necessary.
SCIENCE IN HEALTHCARE NURSING
Learning to balance the art of caring and the science of clinical practice is what nursing is all about. There are four main nursing specialisms: adult, learning disability, children’s, and mental health nursing. A nursing degree is usually structured so that 50 per cent of the training is done through work placements. You’ll spend time in operating theatres, on hospital wards and out in the community gaining loads of hands-on experience.
The nursing degree apprenticeship offers a new route into nursing. Trainee nurses will have their tuition funded by the trust they are working for and the training will usually take five years; after which, if you are successful, you will receive a nursing degree.
LAW IN HEALTHCARE SPECIALIST LAWYER
You may not have considered a legal career specialising in healthcare law, however, it’s a good idea to give some thought to what kind of lawyer you might want to be, early on in the process while you’re still at school and choosing qualification options. New legal issues in healthcare are emerging all the time due to technological advances in the sector, such as the development of robotics in medicine and the use of big data. Understanding and practicing healthcare law requires a high level of qualification and there are a number of specific legal healthcare careers that you could opt for.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
It’s not absolutely necessary to have any formal qualifications to get an entry level job in social care; your values, attitude and how you treat people who need care and support is really important. You’ll be working directly with all sorts of people, with different care and support needs and you may be directly responsible for their wellbeing, including their personal care.
Most of the current qualifications for working in social care are taken when you are already working in your role and apprenticeships are a popular way to get into the sector. FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
19
STUDYING AT LINCOLN COLLEGE
E
mily Kirkby is 18 and from Lincoln. She is one of our higher education students studying the BA Hons Social Science Degree.
Emily did well at sixth form and although she felt she wanted to study at a higher level, the idea of moving away from home was a little daunting. She studied at a small sixth form and the thought of joining a large university wasn’t that appealing. After getting her A-level results she spoke to a teacher at school and told him of her worries. After a little research Emily decided to contact us here at Lincoln College as she thought this could be the place to study – close to home with a community environment offering small class sizes in a familiar city. What Emily says: “College really helped me with gaining a place on the course. They introduced me to the tutors prior to me starting and really put my mind at rest. I was really excited that I’d found the right place to study. “The course is fantastic; it’s been a steep learning curve and a big jump up from studying A-levels but I have a great relationship with my tutors which has really helped me. “I’m in a small class and the one-toone support I receive really helps me to learn and understand the subject. I’m meeting all my deadlines and feel like I am excelling at my chosen subject as I am able to get help whenever I need it.
“Studying locally has given me so much confidence as I have the support of all my friends and family close by. “I’d really like to work in the prison service and I am being inspired by the tutors and content of the course, I am confident that I will reach my goal.” Emily is a true example of many students who feel apprehensive about moving away or studying in a larger institution and has found the ideal solution by studying higher education at Lincoln College. She will also have her career bursary to spend on courses or equipment that will help to enhance her employability giving her the edge on completion of her course when she progresses to employment.
LINK Find out more at www.lincolncollege.ac.uk/higher-education or call us on 01522 876398
20
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
ENGINEERING
CHEMICAL ENGINEERS TAKE RAW MATERIALS, SUCH AS OIL AND TURN THESE INTO USEFUL PRODUCTS LIKE PLASTIC, NYLON AND PETROL THAT WE USE EVERY DAY.
C
hemical engineers are employed in many industries including: oil and gas, the pharmaceutical industry, energy, water, food and drink, and cosmetics.
HOW DO YOU GET A JOB AS A CHEMICAL ENGINEER? You’ll normally need a BEng degree in chemical, process or biochemical engineering which is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) or Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
MEng – Master of Engineering Degree
CHARTERED CHEMICAL ENGINEER STATUS Becoming a chartered chemical engineer is considered by many as a benchmark of excellence within the profession, as in order to qualify you must meet specific criteria in terms of academic qualifications, work experience and commitment to professional development. To become chartered, you will need to have studied to master’s level, either completing a four-year MEng in Chemical Engineering or a BEng followed by a relevant master’s degree.
A higher national diploma or foundation degree in the physical or applied sciences may be accepted by some employers, although you may work at a lower level to begin with. You will also need to complete further qualifications if you wish to become a chartered engineer.
More general skills for a job as a chemical engineer: • project management skills • communication skills • problem-solving skills • the ability to work as part of a team • the ability to lead a team • good attention to detail • commercial awareness • creativity.
The skills that you need as a chemical engineer: • knowledge and understanding of engineering principles and mathematics • IT skills • an aptitude for and interest in chemistry.
AVERAGE SALARIES FOR CHEMICAL ENGINEERS Starting graduate salaries are around £29,000 and experienced chartered chemical engineers earn on average £60,000 pa.
BEng – Bachelor of Engineering Degree
£
INFO To find out more ab out how to become a chartered chemica l engineer you sho uld contact the Instituti on of Chemical Engineers (IChemE ), the professional and qualifying body for chemical engineers.
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
21
ENGINEERING
WE TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL ENGINEER.
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Electrical engineers design, develop and maintain electrical components and systems for use in industries such as construction, transport, manufacturing and power. They work at every stage of a project, reading technical drawings, designing, modelling and making prototypes, testing, servicing and improving systems or electrical components.
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING JOBS Jobs in electrical engineering are projected to grow by 6.1 per cent between now and 2024. This should create 2,700 jobs. Over the same period 23.7 per cent of the current workforce is expected to retire or progress to another role, creating another 10,400 job openings.
PAY AND CONDITIONS The average starting salary for an electrical engineer is £26,000 and experienced electrical engineers can earn between £35,000 and £60,000 a year.
£
Hours of work are typically 40 a week and can include working shifts or unsociable hours across a variety of locations.
HOW DO YOU GET INTO ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING? Most electrical engineers begin their career with a relevant, accredited degree but it is possible to begin your career with a foundation degree or HND (you may need to do further training). The kind of work skills that you’ll need as an electrical engineer are: • maths, science and IT • the ability to make and understand technical diagrams • analytical / problem solving skills • communication • decision-making skills.
22
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and broadest of all engineering disciplines and deals with the design, manufacture and maintenance of equipment with moving parts. Mechanical engineers develop, design and maintain components and machinery that is used in all sorts of industries, including manufacturing and construction, power, health, and transport. FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
WHAT DOES A MECHANICAL ENGINEER DO?
WORKING IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
On a day to day basis mechanical engineers use CAD / CAM (computer aided design and modelling) software to produce technical plans. They present these designs or projects to managers and they support and oversee teams in producing equipment. They also examine equipment for maintenance purposes.
The forecast for job openings in mechanical engineering is good. Predictions indicate that there will be significant growth in this area, and that the UK will need more engineers to meet the demand.
GETTING INTO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING As with all engineering disciplines, maths and science are at the core of mechanical engineering. You will need to have five GCSEs (9 - 4) and these should include maths and English.
At the moment only 23 per cent of engineering professionals are female and in order to meet demand the UK will need to see more females entering the industry.
PAY AND CONDITIONS Average starting salaries for mechanical engineers are between £20,000 and £28,000.
A-LEVELS FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING If you opt for the A-level route, then maths and physics are ideal subjects to study and IT might be another good option given the requirement for using CAD / CAM software. If you are considering a future career with an international company or working abroad then a language may be a beneficial addition to the mix.
LINK
VOCATIONAL ROUTES INTO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING You don’t have to take the A-level route. You could study full time for a vocational qualification, such as a BTEC National Diploma or NVQ in Engineering. These vocational courses can be studied at school, college or at a university technical college such as Lincoln UTC.
£
If you are interested in becoming an engineering apprentice you could take a look at the Semta website www.semta.org.uk for more information.
You could also begin your career on a manufacturing or engineering apprenticeship.
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
23
A LINCOLNSHIRE LAD, BORN AND BRED
J
ack Blyth is a PGCE student at the University of Lincoln, looking forward to starting his career as a PE teacher. He spoke with us about what inspired his career choice and about his journey through education. “I studied for my GCSEs at Havelock Academy, Grimsby then I attended sixth form and did my A-levels in PE, maths, biology and law. “In my first year of A-levels I got involved in lots of sports clubs and activities. This not only provided me with opportunities to develop skills in leadership and teamwork but also to rub shoulders with sporting heroes and royalty. This really sealed my desire to support young people and to become a teacher. “I was particularly drawn to the pastoral side of teaching. I want to change lives, make a positive difference and help young people develop their skills and overcome barriers through sport. “I spent three years at the University of Lincoln studying Sports Development and Coaching before starting my PGCE. Each summer I have undertaken placements as a PE assistant and I will be returning for second PGCE placement. “By studying at university I’ve gained the theoretical knowledge about teaching and learning that I need to be a good teacher, including learning about the differences in national curriculum levels and different theories of learning, such as constructivism.
“I was awarded a sporting scholarship when I started university. I represented the university playing table tennis as part of this and the £1,000 scholarship was really helpful. “I want to stay and teach in Lincolnshire when I’m fully qualified. I think that it’s important to give something back and I’m a Lincolnshire lad, born and bred. “I love the idea of the new degree teacher apprenticeship. I think that practical work and learning through experience is important and if you can save money by getting into teaching through an apprenticeship, even better.”
DID YOU KNOW? PGCE stands for Po st Graduate Certificate in Educ ation
Jack is really looking forward to starting his career as a qualified PE teacher but he hasn’t ruled out further study and progressing to a master’s degree in the future.
LINK To find out more about study at the University of Lincoln visit www.lincoln.ac.uk
24
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
GET THAT JOB! PARTICULAR JOBS REQUIRE SPECIFIC SKILLS, BUT THERE ARE A GROUP OF SKILLS THAT ALL EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR, REGARDLESS OF THE INDUSTRY OR THE JOB ROLE.
T
he skills that are important for any job include the following and it’s a good idea to start thinking of examples that you can use when you are asked ‘Tell us about when you have had to use ‘X’ skills.
ORGANISATION At work there are lots of different tasks that need completing. The ability to plan and prioritise your work and monitor your own progress against targets and deadlines are all part of being organised. How to evidence it: use examples of when you have completed a project for school or planned something like a holiday or party.
COMMUNICATION Good communication helps people understand what you want or need and helps you understand what needs to be done. Communication includes writing, speaking, listening and paying attention to people’s reactions. How to evidence it: you could point to good feedback that you have had regarding an essay or project you wrote. You can also use examples of presentations that you have given.
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
PROBLEM SOLVING Things don’t always go to plan. The ability to identify, understand, breakdown and solve problems as they crop up is important in the workplace. How to evidence it: use an example of when something has gone wrong and how you dealt with it.
NUMERACY Unless it is actually your job – nobody expects you to be able to solve complex mathematical problems. However, the ability to use data and basic maths skills to accomplish a task, support conclusions and quantify results will be useful in most jobs. How to evidence it: aside from a formal maths qualification you could give an example of when you have had to use maths skills to complete a task at home.
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
TEAMWORK The ability to work with other people, understand the role that they play in achieving a team objective, support them in doing so and respect them whilst doing so is vital to good team working. How to evidence it: use an example of working as part of a group on a school project or to organise an event.
LITERACY Reading, writing and comprehension are vital skills to have. How to evidence it: normally you can evidence this through a formal English qualification but if you have a blog or if you have been praised for a particular piece of English work you could point to this.
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
25
LIVING THE DREAM WITH RISEHOLME COLLEGE
R
iseholme College is one of the most successful land-based colleges in the country, offering practical hands-on courses across a range of subject specialisms. Students can study agriculture, engineering, animal management or equine studies and from September 2018, agri-food and sport at its £24m state-of-the-art Showground Campus. With practical teaching sitting at the heart of our courses, students get the chance to spend much of their time learning in industry, or in world-class facilities at the college’s three campuses. As part of all courses, students take part in extensive work placements, ensuring students complete their studies with the practical, and most up-to-date, skills needed to enter the workplace. This contributes to some of the highest success rates in the country, with 97% of FE students and 93% of HE students progressing to employment or a higher level of study within six months of completing their course.
Meet Holly! Former student Holly is living her dream of working with animals at Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire. As the bird show manager at the premier visitor attraction, she is in charge of all the parrot and birds of prey shows, as well as the sea lion shows. Her role also involves training animals for films and television.
26
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
Holly’s career at Flamingo Land started with a work experience placement. Her time studying animal management at Bishop Burton College enabled her to progress to study at university and then do a master’s degree in Tanzania as part of the Udzungwa Forest Research and Conservation Project. She now welcomes the college’s students on work experience placements at Flamingo Land. She says her time at the college has given her the skills and confidence she needs to develop her dream career. “I am working with animals – which is all I ever wanted to do. During my time at the college all the lecturers and tutors were always so helpful. Nothing was ever too much trouble for them and they helped give me the confidence I needed to secure my dream career.”
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
LINK To find out more about the college and its courses, and to book on to the next open event, visit www.riseholme.ac.uk
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MANUFACTURING
THERE ARE LOTS OF MYTHS AROUND MANUFACTURING THAT NEED BUSTING; ONE OF THEM IS THAT WORKING IN MANUFACTURING MEANS GETTING DIRTY.
W
hen someone mentions manufacturing to you, you may automatically think of noisy production lines, overalls and grease. Production lines are important of course, but this isn’t a complete picture of work in the manufacturing sector. Modern manufacturing uses machinery specifically designed for the best use by operators. Much of the machinery is selflubricating (so there goes the grease) and safety is paramount. Machinery is fitted with safety functions and personal protection equipment (PPE) is part of modern manufacturing. A career in manufacturing doesn’t have to mean working as an operative on the production line. Some important manufacturing roles, which are mostly office-based include: research and development engineers, quality controllers, computer aided design (CAD) engineers or draughts people and programmers. One of the benefits of working in manufacturing is that it is very much an industry where you can work your way up, from operator to senior operator and to production manager or from technician to manufacturing systems engineer for example. Career progression is therefore good.
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
As with any industry, there are roles which don’t involve any of the traditional work that you might think of when you think of manufacturing. There are roles in HR, finance, admin, sales, and logistics to name just a few. People working in these roles are all important to keeping the business going. In fact, according to the manufacturers’ organisation, EEF the UK manufacturing sector employs 2.7m people. A FEW OTHER MYTHS ABOUT MANUFACTURING IT’S NOT FOR GIRLS The manufacturing sector needs young talent – and talent comes in both male and female form. There are simply not enough males to fill all the workforce gaps. MANUFACTURING IS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GOOD WITH THEIR HANDS BUT NOT ACADEMIC Just reading this should be enough to make you see how silly it is – but just in case: Manufacturers are leading the way when it comes to advanced technology and the people in the workforce doing this are skilled, creative and at the cuttingedge IT’S NOT WELL PAID Process engineers earn on average £40,000 a year and production managers around £50,000. Manufacturing engineer is also one of the many manufacturing roles available through the apprenticeship route, which means that you can earn while you earn.
£
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
27
AGRI-FOOD
LAND-BASED CAREERS ARE HUGELY VARIED. WE TAKE A LOOK AT AGRICULTURAL ROLES TO SUIT ALL SORTS – IT’S CERTAINLY NOT ALL MUD AND WELLIES! SOMETHING FOR THE SCIENTIST Biochemists working in the agricultural sector study the interaction between plants and herbicides. Biochemists monitor and improve the quality of crops. They might develop genetically modified crops which are resistant to disease or frost to improve yields. Although there can be some fieldwork, most of the work that an agricultural biochemist does is laboratory-based. You would wear protective clothing and would make use of laboratory equipment.
There are qualifications and apprenticeships in agriculture that you could choose although you don’t need specific qualifications to work as a herdsperson but you will normally have worked as a farm worker. On average you could expect to earn around £22,000 per year as a qualified herdsperson.
£
FOR THOSE WHO WANT SOMETHING SEASONAL - GENERAL FARM WORKER General farm work is varied. You could be planting, tending or harvesting crops; feeding and caring for livestock or maintaining hedges or machinery.
Working as a biochemist requires a degree in a relevant subject such as biochemistry, molecular biology or microbiology.
Long days are the norm and the work is physical, outdoors and doesn’t stop because it rains.
Job opportunities for biochemists are expected to grow 4.9 per cent by 2024 and the average UK salary is £42,640 a year.
There are no set entry requirements for this work although if you want to do this full time, you could look into doing an apprenticeship or a vocational qualification in agriculture.
£
THE CHOICE OF ANIMAL LOVERS - HERDSPERSON If you love animals, why not work with livestock? A herdsperson makes sure that animals on the farm are well fed, watered, tagged and generally healthy.
Seasonal work is paid based on the hours worked and for a full time, farm worker, the average salary is around £20,000 a year.
They also move animals when needed, manage grazing and ensure that buildings, equipment and machinery used is well maintained and hygienic. Looking after the welfare of livestock is a physically demanding job, so you need to be fit. 28
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
£
FOR THE NATURAL ORGANISER - FARM SECRETARY All businesses need to run smoothly and farms are no different. Farm secretaries make sure that accounts and budgets are dealt with and workers and suppliers get paid on time. Farm secretaries also order supplies, monitor cash flow and deal with VAT and tax returns. Being organised and good with figures is key to success in this job and as the face of the farm business you’ll also need great communication and customer service skills. The most useful qualifications and training for this role are English and maths at grades 9 – 4, IT, business studies and accountancy / bookkeeping qualifications. Average salaries are between £15,000 and £20,000 per year.
£
Jenny Birkett is senior new product development manager for Branston, one of the largest potato companies in the UK. We had a chat with her about her job. “I really enjoyed studying A-level Business Studies so I chose business studies as a degree too.
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
“After my degree I joined the Branston Graduate Development Programme. I started off in operations where I was given some business improvement projects to work on. “On the programme I had the opportunity to move around the company undertaking projects in different departments including IT, HR, field services and development. This gave me a really good understanding of potatoes, right from growing through to packing and it also allowed me to see which elements of a role that I liked and which didn’t appeal to me. “I was keen to be in an area that drives the business forward, so at the end of the programme I took on the role of NPD co-ordinator. After a few months the NPD manager moved on and I stepped up and managed all of the customer accounts from an NPD point of view. “Since then we’ve grown the team, and in May 2016 I was promoted to senior NPD manager. As well as focusing on growing our accounts for both the fresh and prepared businesses I’m involved in longer-term development and process improvement to support our overall business growth strategy. “I work closely with our customers as we have to make sure that any development meets their needs as well as the needs of their customers. We look for gaps in the market, upcoming trends, new ingredients and opportunities to make things better. “It’s very satisfying when you get to see one of your new products finally on sale in your customers’ stores”.
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
29
BECOME THE BEST THAT YOU CAN BE Meet Charlotte! “Hi, I studied for a Foundation Degree in Graphic Design at University Centre Stamford. “I did go to university initially, but the course wasn’t right for me and I wanted to study close to home. Studying at UCS allowed me to stay in Stamford with my friends, plus I got to live at home which saved me a fair bit of cash too - Bonus! “Thanks to the great employer links at UCS, I was lucky enough to secure a place at DSquared, a local graphic design company, for work experience during my first year. This became an ongoing placement which alongside my studies, helped me prepare for the real work of graphic design. “The biggest difference between UCS and traditional universities is the support. Class sizes are smaller than you’d expect at uni which means you get one-to-one support from your lecturers who are always on hand to help with any issues you may have during your degree which with being dyslexic helped a lot. “Straight after graduating I was employed full time at DSquared. I now work as part of a great creative team and I absolutely love it!” Our aim at University Centre Stamford is to offer top quality education courses that challenge you to become the best that you can be. Our courses are focused on the needs of our students and employers, and provide every opportunity to gain a foothold in the career of your choice.
30
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
The centre offers a range of creative subjects including foundation degrees in graphic design, illustration, photography and a new HND in Games Design launching in September 2018. Courses are careerfocused and designed with both you and future employers in mind to ensure you gain the skills they are looking for with the equipment and resources you will typically work with in your future career. There is everything you need for success! In July UCS was awarded Silver in the TEF (Teaching and Excellence Framework) and was commended for providing ‘high levels of support for students from diverse backgrounds through their Academic Support Coach Scheme, and highly valued individual and small group sessions.’ and having ‘good mechanisms for improving the curriculum and delivery, sharing good practice and personalising the support for the students to maximise their readiness for employment.’
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
LINK For more information on individual courses or to download your University Centre Stamford prospectus visit www.stamford.ac.uk
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE
INFORMATION, ADVICE and SUPPORT in LINCOLNSHIRE
D
id you know that if you live in Lincolnshire, are aged 25 or below, and have special educational needs or a disability, you can access information, advice and support which is impartial, confidential and free? This includes matters which relate to health and social care. We can advise you on where you can receive specialist support to help you prepare for employment, independent living including housing, and participation in society. This is called Preparing for Adulthood. If you have a problem and need advice and support, we can help you and advise you about things like: • Lincolnshire policies and practices relating to special educational needs and disabilities • The Local Offer in Lincolnshire – this is an on-line directory which describes what help, support and services are available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families in Lincolnshire • Personalisation and personal budgets • What the law says about SEN and disability, health and social care and how this relates to you and your situation • Helping you to gather and understand information and apply this to your own situation • How the local authority resolves disagreements and how you can complain about something.
FIND US ONLINE: LINCHIGHER.CO.UK
FACEBOOK.COM/LINCHIGHER
Sometimes, you may not agree with your parents on something like where you want to go to school or college. If you want to, you can access information, advice and support separately from your parents. The law says that it is the young person’s decision that counts, and if this happens both you and your parents are entitled to receive separate support. If you feel that you need help, you can either ring or email as a start to get support. One of our team of five caseworkers will contact you to talk about your issues, and provide you with advice about your options. We won’t ever tell you what to do – we will listen and support you and make sure you have all the information you need. If you need further support, we can allocate a caseworker to work directly with you until your issue is resolved. Your caseworker can attend meetings with you, help you to have your say and ensure your voice is heard. We will support you through processes such as an education, health and care needs assessment, or mediation if there is a disagreement or an appeal.
LINK Liaise can be contacted through the Family Information Service. Call 0800 195 1635 Monday to Friday 8am6pm or email liaise@lincolnshire.gov.uk
TWITTER.COM/LINCHIGHER
MOVING ON LINCHIGHER 2018
31