Careers Programme

Careers Programme

(CEIAG) Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance

Our Careers Programme

In the recent Ofsted inspection report our Careers programme was described as “excellent” and “a key strength of the school”. 

We are delighted to have received the Quality in Careers Award and are working towards the Gatsby Benchmarks. Our inspection by Inspiring IAG highlighted how “there is evidence of robust leadership and management of careers” whilst “raising aspirations is at the heart of the school’s approach to CEIAG.” “The school provides tailored support and intervention to those students who need it” and “career learning is planned and sequenced so that students develop their knowledge and skills.” 

Our Careers programme runs from Year 7 to Year 13 and prepares students well for life after they leave the school. It has been designed to align with the eight Gatsby Benchmarks which have been recognised by the government as outlining the requirements of an excellent careers programme.  

Students have many encounters with employers and learn about the different careers and the various routes into these careers. It helps students to find the careers that suit them and prepare them to follow their desired path. Students learn about the different work sectors and are taught to challenge the various stereotypes and discrimination that exists in the world of work. Students learn how to take responsibility for their own career by planning for the future. They learn how to create an effective CV and learn useful skills such as developing a professional and successful interview technique. The programme supports pupils through each of the transitions they face such as choosing Year 9 options and deciding what to do after Year 11 and after Year 13. Students have an experience of the workplace in year 9 and complete a week of work experience in Year 12. 

 Our Careers programme is comprised of the following:

  • Students receive individual impartial advice from our Level 6 qualified Careers advisor who has been commissioned from a MATRIX accredited organisation (MPloy Solutions). Students identified as requiring extra support receive regular individual impartial advice from our advisor from Young People Services. Impartial and independent advice is given to students in accordance with the Statutory Guidance for Schools and Guidance for Colleges and Sixth Forms. It is organised and delivered in accordance with the Gatsby benchmarks and Compass tool. All students receive a one to one meeting in either Year 10 or Year 11 and also in 6th Form. Students identified as requiring an extra meeting are seen again. Students in any year can be referred for a Careers meeting. Any requests to see the Careers advisor should be made directly to the appropriate Year Leader.  
  • The Careers advisor is also present at the Parents’ Evenings for Years 9-13 as well as results day for Year 11 and 13. 
  • Careers lessons take place during form times with a new focus every half term from Year 7 to Year 13. Each lesson focus is matched at KS3 and at KS4 with the CDI (Careers Development Institute) framework for careers, employability and enterprise education and in line with Gatsby Benchmarks. Students will look at LORCID employability skills – leadership; organisation; resilience; communication; initiative and digital awareness. 
  • All students in each year group have a careers focused session in curriculum areas once a term and an hour session during transition points. One transition lesson takes place in Year 9 to help them with choosing their GCSE options and the other is delivered in in Year 12 to help them with their post Year 13 choices.  
  • All students set up a profile on Unifrog which they can access from Year 7 and use to record their experiences and help them to find the right career path. 
  • All students in our 6th Form continue to use Unifrog and use this online resource to complete and track many tasks such as recording skills and experiences, searching for degrees, writing a personal statement, completing UCAS applications, searching and applying for apprenticeships etc. 
  • Students have encounters with employers each year through talks from guest speakers in Mission days and assemblies in Years 7-13. 
  • Students have a Careers Day in Year 11 in which they will hear from external speakers and employers and carry out various careers related activities throughout the day including looking at all post 16 options including A Levels; T Levels; BTECs and apprenticeships. Students will then write a personalised plan for their post 16 plans. 
  • Students across all Year groups have contact with employers and further education through various school trips and guest speakers visiting lessons. 
  • Students participate in themed weeks as part of the pastoral curriculum including apprenticeship week and carers week. 
  • Students participate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) activities in school which explores the jobs available and highlights the problem of the lack of women in this work sector. 
  • There is a 6th Form Welcome Day in Year 10 and in Year 11 where students will be able to attend A Level style lessons to get a feel of what it would be like to study in a 6th form. 
  • Students in Year 9 will participate in an experience of the workplace, working within a variety of different sectors and with local employers. They will complete project work and look at different routes into their selected employment sectors. 
  • Students attend a week of work experience in Year 12. Students are guided to help them to try to organise their own placements in job sectors of their choice. We support others to help them to find a place. All risk assessments are completed for all placements prior to commencing work experience. 
  • Students in Year 13 exploring non-university routes are invited to take part in the Employer Readiness Programme where students take part in a workshop on apprenticeships; a CV and interview skills workshop; 1:1 feedback from employers on their CV and a mock interview and a mock assessment centre with local employers. 

 Our Careers programme is evaluated every year. The next evaluation will take place in November 2022. We will review what is working well and will identify areas that require further development so that we can continue to improve our practice and further strengthen our Careers programme. An annual Careers report will be created and shared with governors. 

We review all feedback from: 

  • Year 13 and Year 11 intention and destination data 
  • Feedback collected from students, staff, parents and employers after mission days 
  • Student voice of the pastoral curriculum 
  • Evaluation with our careers advisor 
  • Evaluation of work experience 
  • Feedback from our Compass review with an independent reviewer 
  • Feedback from the Quality in Careers Award  

 If you explore this Careers section of our website you will find lots of information, websites, videos and other resources to help you to find out how we support all students to find their own paths and prepare for their futures. 

Key dates for each year group

Leader of CEIAG: Mrs S Stobbs

s.stobbs@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk

 Assistant Head with responsibility for CEIAG: Mrs A Senior

a.senior@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk

 Governor with responsibility for CEIAG: Mr J Kerrigan

 Independent Careers Advisor: James Ridgway

 Level 6 qualified Careers Advisor from Matrix accredited organisation MPloy Solutions.

Students will be able to speak to our Level 6 qualified careers advisor James Ridgway for individual impartial advice about choices at 16+ and 18+. He is in school on Thursdays and Fridays

Information for Teachers

The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework of 8 guidelines that define the best careers provision in secondary schools. They are: 

  1. A stable careers programme 
  1. Learning from labour market information 
  1. Addressing the needs of every pupil 
  1. Linking curriculum learning to careers 
  1. Encounters with employers and employees 
  1. Experiences of workplaces 
  1. Encounters with further and higher education 
  1. Personal guidance 

 

Why are they Important? 

The Gatsby Benchmarks have a key role in:  

  • raising young people’s aspirations and promoting access to all career pathways; 
  • enabling all young people to develop the skills and outlook they need to achieve career wellbeing, including adaptability and resilience; 
  • underpinning the Department for Education guidance to schools on meeting their statutory responsibility for careers guidance.

Important Websites Start Profile

Unifrog

“Our mission is to level the playing field when it comes to young people finding the best opportunities for them.”

All students have a login to Unifrog and have used it as part of the pastoral curriculum to look at different careers and record what they have done. Unifrog brings all available information for future pathways on to one platform and assists students in making the right choice. Teachers can find guidance in writing references on Unifrog. Teachers can also monitor the progress of applications made by students on the Unifrog platform. Unifrog discussion is a great way to get students engaged with careers in your subject.  

The Pledge 

Videos and resources are available from The Pledge looking at different subject areas and key employability skills https://cheshireandwarrington.com/growth-and-skills/the-pledge/  

If staff has an employer in mind or sector they would like to engage with please email Mrs Stobbs who will contact our Pledge’s Facilitator. 

Success at Schools 

Each department received a department resource pack including subject guides and posters. Each subject guide includes how your subject prepares students for work; reasons to choose your subject; case studies on job roles and business profiles; routes into different sectors including apprenticeships and university applications. 

Year 9 Options

In each of your subjects you will have a transition lesson looking at each option subject and the reasons to take the option and what it could lead to.

You will have a Unifrog login where you will track all your careers interactions and will have looked at in the pastoral curriculum. If you have not got a login email Mrs Stobbs at s.stobbs@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk. You can explore different careers linked to the subjects you are considering as well as showing you the local market information and whether the jobs you are interested in are available.

You could also explore Start Profile without a login, by clicking login as a guest. https://www.startprofile.com/

You can find out more about GCSE subjects and the careers that they can lead to.

Video – How to use Start

Click for impartial advice about your options in year 9 from the website: www.careerpilot.org.uk.

Click for advice about choosing your subjects from the website: www.MyWorldOfWork.co.uk.

Click here for the National Careers Service website where you can research career paths and get impartial careers advice.

icould.com is another great website for researching career paths and your own strengths and preferences.

You will also receive an experience of the workplace project where we apply employability skills to the curriculum. For example, we have previously worked with Lane End in Maths looking at how to use Pythagoras and trigonometry in practice.  

Post 16 Options

You might like to use the website www.careerpilot.org.uk for help with post 16 options.

You can also use Career Camel to help you find a pathway for you.

Local Education Providers:

6th Forms

St Nicholas Catholic High School

             

Local Colleges

Reaseheath College

Warrington and Vale Royal College

Cheshire College South and West

Priestley College Warrington

Sir John Deane’s College

Local Studio Schools

Christleton International Studio

Local UTCs

UTC Warrington

Crewe Engineering and Design UTC

Apprenticeships

(See Apprenticeship section)

Post 18 Options

You might like to use the website www.careerpilot.org.uk for help with post 18 options.

Unifrog

All students in our 6th Form will set up accounts with Unifrog and will use this online resource to complete and track many tasks such as recording skills and experiences, searching for degrees, writing a personal statement, completing UCAS applications, searching and applying for apprenticeships etc.

https://www.unifrog.org/

 

University

Thinking of going to university? Before making any decisions, get clued-up on the reasons to go, what life is like and what it’s going to cost.

Why should I go?

Going to university will make you more attractive to employers and you will have lots of new experiences.  You will get to study your favourite subjects in more depth, and if you study away from home you will find out what independent adult life is like. But university is not for everyone. It can be expensive and stressful.

What should I study?

Doing any degree shows employers that you are smart and motivated – important skills for any job.  The main thing is to study something you want to learn more about. Talk to your teachers or careers advisor.  They will advise you on which university subjects are best for your personality, skills and abilities.

Can I afford it?

At the moment, average student debt can be as high as £30,000. You may get a bursary and a student loan but tuition fees, rent, food and nights out all add up. Many students have to work part-time to cover their costs.

What is student life like?

You are expected to study hard, but university is also fun.  The social scene is buzzing around and you will make new friends and try new things.  It may be hard being away from friends and family though, and money will be tight so make sure you know how to budget.

 

 

Can I get a good job without a degree?

While some jobs require a degree, there are plenty that do not. You will need a degree if you want to study something specific like medicine. You are likely to start on a lower wage without a degree.

There are many options for school leavers. Distance learning is a good way to get a degree and avoid debt as you can have a full-time job and study in the evenings. Some universities offer scholarships or can give you additional money towards your study. There is the option of studying abroad with many universities across the world teaching a huge spectrum of courses. Tuition fees are often a lot lower if you study abroad and you get to experience living in a new country.

You can search for university courses on the UCAS website: https://www.ucas.com/

Apprenticeships and Higher Apprenticeships

(See Apprenticeship section)

 

Gap year

You may also be considering a gap year.  Consult this site for advice: www.gapyear.com

Apprenticeships 

Apprenticeships give young people the opportunity to earn a real salary as they work for a real employer, and gain a real qualification whilst gaining valuable workplace experience and skills. Anyone who is living in England and is over 16 years old can apply to become an apprentice. 

 What is an apprenticeship? 

 A real job – Earn while you learn 

All apprentices must receive the appropriate national minimum wage. All apprentices should work for at least 30 hours a week, apart from in exceptional circumstances. Over 150,000 employers are offering apprenticeships in more than 200,000 locations.  

 A real qualification 

All apprenticeships must be at least 12 months long and lead to a national qualification that is respected by employers around the world. 

 

What happens at the end of an apprenticeship? 

After finishing, the majority of apprentices (85%) will stay in employment, with 64% staying with the same employer. Employers think that qualified apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. 

 Types of apprenticeships 

Apprenticeships cover more than 170 industries and 1500 job roles, from advertising to youth work via environmental engineering and nuclear decommissioning. 

 There are three types of Apprenticeship that vary depending on current skills and qualifications: 

1 – Intermediate Level Apprenticeships - Offers GCSE level equivalent qualifications. 

2 – Advanced Level Apprenticeships - Offers A-Level equivalent qualifications. 

3 – Higher Apprenticeships – Offers Degree level equivalent qualifications. 

VIDEOS: 

Video – Apprenticeships – Info for parents 

Video – Everything you need to know about apprenticeships 

Video – Degree Apprenticeships 

Video – How to find a great apprenticeship 

Find out more 

You can find out more about apprenticeships and access the full database of apprenticeships that are available at www.getingofar.gov.ukor www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk.   

A good site to use to search for apprenticeships is www.totalpeople.co.uk. 

Useful resources can also be found here https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/resource-hub 

Also very helpful advice and links on: 

Apprenticeship guide – successatschool.org 

www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk 

www.notgoingtouni.co.uk 

 

Career Search

Students will set up logins and be given time to use two online programs which will allow students to set up personal profiles by rating their interests, skills etc. They will then be able to explore many different careers and see how well they match to their personal profiles. Once they have their logins and are shown how to use the sites, students will be able to access this information anywhere that they can get online. Students should use these regularly to help them to decide on a career path.

Students will set up a login for Start in Year 9.

https://www.startprofile.com/   Log in to your Start Profile account to explore different careers.

You can explore the site without log in details by clicking to continue as a guest.

Video – How to use Start

Students will set up a login for Unifrog in Year Nine into Sixth Form.

https://www.unifrog.org/    Log in to your Unifrog account to explore different careers.

This NHS Careers website gives lots of useful information about the many different careers in health care:

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/

Click on this link and watch episode 21 to see a guide for how to use the NHS Careers website:

Video – How to use the NHS Careers website

Students can see videos about real life stories and read articles to help to explore careers here: www.icould.com.

During Covid-19 lockdown, The Pledge and Learn Live ran a Virtual Careers Festival and Learn Live at 11am. You can still view the videos from local employers and ask questions by following the link: https://learnliveuk.com/paving-the-way-virtual-careers-festival/ 

Employers

Working With Local Businesses

At St Nicholas Catholic High School we continue to develop strong links with local employers. We work with them in our Careers programme in various ways.

Some employers come into school and talk to our students about their businesses. They discuss what the job is like, along with what skills and qualifications are desired.

Some employers help to carry out mock interviews with students and provide useful feedback.

Students complete a week of work experience in Year 12 and many local employers facilitate this by organising for them to work in their businesses for the week.

Some examples of these local employers that we have good careers links with are listed here:

  • Cheshire Police
  • Cheshire Fire and Rescue
  • The Hut Group
  • Roberts Bakery
  • Brio Leisure (Northwich)
  • Howdens (Northwich)
  • Barclays (Gladbrook Park)
  • Lloyds Bank (Northwich)
  • Toyota (Northwich)
  • Astra Zeneca
  • Tata Chemicals
  • Leighton Hospital
  • St Mary’s Hospital (Manchester)
  • Willows Veterinary Hospital
  • The Canine Clubhouse
  • Weaver Physiotherapy
  • Middlewich Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic
  • Mobberley Road Dental Practice
  • Jane Mullen Speech Therapy Ltd
  • HC Care
  • Acorn Hollow Nursing Home
  • Crewe Alexander Soccer Centre
  • ATOS
  • Darren Curry Architects
  • Banner Chemicals
  • Whitlow Engineering Ltd
  • Electrical Wholesales Supplies
  • Middlewich Heritage Trust
  • Cheshire Sunblind Co. Ltd
  • Bromborough Paints
  • Cerebro Security Ltd
  • SPW Truck Parts Ltd
  • A&D Publishing Ltd
  • Cheshire West and Chester Council
  • Castle Park Art Centre
  • Adele Carr Financial Recruitment
  • @the barbers
  • Goblin Gaming
  • Blackdog Hydrotherapy
  • Cheshire Military Museum
  • Prevent Breast Cancer
  • Raindrops Boutique Ltd
  • Dutton Contractors Ltd
  • Patrick Properties
  • Liverpool John Moores University
  • Winsford High Street Primary School
  • St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School
  • St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
  • St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
  • St Luke’s RC Primary School
  • St Bede’s Catholic Primary School
  • St Vincent De Paul Catholic Primary School
  • Hebden Green Community School
  • Beechwood Farm Day Nursery
  • Barnton Community Nursery and Primary School
  • Little Munchkins Childcare Providers Ltd

Here are some apprenticeships from large local employers:

Barclays: https://joinus.barclays/eme/apprenticeships/

Bentley: http://search.bentleycareers.com/

Jaguar Land Rover: http://www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com/jlr-roles/future-talent/apprentices/

Airbus: http://company.airbus.com/careers/apprentices-and-pupils/In-the-United-Kingdom.html

Atos: https://atos.net/en-gb/united-kingdom/careers-uk/apprentices-uk

Arnold Clark: https://www.arnoldclark.com/careers/apprenticeships

Vodafone: https://careers.vodafone.co.uk/apprentices

Apprenticeships, School Leaver Programmes and Sponsored Degrees

Below is a list of many companies that recruit young people every year for apprenticeships, school leaver programmes or sponsored degrees. Deadlines and start dates vary according to the company. Check individual sites regularly for vacancies.

Accounting, Administration, Business, Finance and Management 

Aon Apprenticeship Scheme – A levels required

Barclays Apprenticeship Scheme – GCSEs required.

BDO School Leavers Scheme – A levels required

Boots Advanced Apprenticeship – A levels required

Deloitte School Leavers Programme – A levels required – on-going recruitment

Ernst & Young Accountancy Programme – A levels required

HSBC Apprenticeship Programme – GCSEs required

KPMG Sponsored Degree – A Levels required.

PwC Sponsored Degree – A Levels required.

Tesco Management Training Scheme – A Levels required.

Visa – In accounting, business and technology

Construction

B Constructive

BEST – Nationwide. GCSEs required.

Carillion – Nationwide. GCSEs required.

CITB – Nationwide. Some GCSEs required.

Engineering (Electrical and Mechanical)

Discover Engineering – Link to companies that offer apprenticeships

Balfour Beatty – Engineering

JTL – Electrical, Engineering and Plumbing

BAA – Engineering

Remit – Motor Vehicle Apprenticeships

Royal Mail – Engineering and Vehicle

Arqiva – Nationwide. GCSEs required.

Atomic Weapons Establishment – No qualifications specified.

BAA – GCSEs required.

BAM Nuttall Civil Engineering & Surveying – GCSEs required.

BP Trainee Officer Programme – Nationwide. A Levels required.

BT – Nationwide. GCSEs required.

British Gas  – Nationwide. 4 GCSEs required.

EDF Energy Apprenticeship – GCSEs required.

E:ON – Nationwide. GCSEs required.

JTL  – Nationwide. No qualifications specified but GCSEs preferred.

Laing O’Rourke Advanced Apprenticeship  – GCSEs required.

Network Rail Advanced Apprenticeship – GCSEs required.

NG Bailey – Nationwide. GCSEs incl. English/Maths/Science.

National Grid Advanced Apprenticeship – GCSEs required.

Persimmon Homes – Nationwide. 5 GCSEs required.

Remit Motor Mechanics – Nationwide. GCSEs required.

Thames Valley Water – 4 GCSEs required.

Virgin Media – Nationwide. GCSEs required.

Funeral Care

Co-op – Funeral service apprenticeship

IT

CapGemini – GCSEs or A Levels required

IBM – Nationwide. A Levels required.

Microsoft – Berkshire. GCSEs required.

Microsoft Apprenticeship Films!

Pearson (formerly Zenos) – Nationwide. GCSEs required.

Media

ITV Apprenticeships – Opportunities in media and business administration.

Retail/Customer Service

Co-op – Vacancies in legal, HR, food, motors & much more

Superdrug – Applications on-going

Remit – GCSEs required – grades not specified

Sea/Marine

Yachting Apprenticeship with UKSA – Applications ongoing but deadline for bursaries is the end of April.

Travel/Leisure

Hays Travel – Nationwide. GCSEs required.

Thomas Cook – Nationwide. GCSEs required.

Thomson – Nationwide. No formal qualifications required.

Individual Impartial Advice

Students will be able to speak to our Level 6 qualified careers advisor James Ridgway for individual impartial advice about choices at 16+ and 18+. He is in school every Friday. 

Students will receive a careers meeting with our careers advisor in either Year 10 or 11 and again in Year 12 or 13, and will receive a follow up meeting if deemed necessary.  

Students in other years that are identified as requiring a careers meeting by the Head of Year will also receive a meeting. 

Students in our 6th Form can request a meeting by speaking to either their form tutor, Mrs Stobbs or Mr Bradley.  

The careers advisor will also be present at the options evening for Year 9 and parents’ evenings for Years 10-13. 

Students identified as requiring extra support will receive individual impartial advice from our careers advisor from Young People Services. 

 Students can also receive impartial advice and guidance on this website: National Careers Service website. 

Students can receive impartial advice from a qualified advisor by calling this number: 0800 100 900. 

 

Labour Market Information (LMI)

Labour Market Information (LMI) includes reports, studies, statistics and other information about:

  • What skills and qualifications do you need for a specific job?
  • How much can you earn in a job?
  • Which employers are doing well?
  • Which job sectors are growing?
  • Which jobs need more people right now?
  • Which jobs are in short demand?
  • How many people are currently working in a specific job?
  • How many people are likely to be working in that job in the future?
  • Which jobs have a higher percentage of men or women?
  • What routes did workers take to qualify for their careers?

 

Growth Sectors in Cheshire and Warrington

It is very useful for students to be aware of the growth sectors in Cheshire and Warrington which are currently working at or above average productivity. These growth sectors currently have a gap in worker numbers and are therefore excellent work sectors to pursue a career in as they offer many employment opportunities. These are listed below:

  • Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals
  • Energy and Environment
  • Logistics and Distribution (e.g. Morrisons)
  • Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering
  • Chemicals (e.g. Tata)
  • Financial and Professional Services ( e.g. Barclays and Howard Worth)
  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)
  • Digital
  • Agricultural Technology and Food

Click here to see current local labour market information for Cheshire.

You can investigate LMI both nationally and locally using the following websites:

Careers in Health care:

This NHS Careers website gives lots of useful labour market information about the many different careers in health care:

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/

Labour Market Information:
Labour Market Information for Cheshire

Stereotypes in Careers

Stereotypes are beliefs about the characteristics of a group of people, which lead to expectations about what individual members of that group will be like and how they will behave.

Unfortunately there are many widely held stereotypes which result in children eliminating many career options from their career search. This has led to many skill shortages in certain employment sectors and needs to be addressed quickly.

At St Nicholas Catholic High School we are focused on helping student to become aware of these stereotypes and to work to overcome them. This not only increases their career options in the future, but also helps them to get a better idea of which work sectors are short of workers and therefore offer many future employment opportunities.

Overcoming stereotypes in careers early on is important to help our students to explore all of the career opportunities available to them. We teach about overcoming stereotypes in the workforce in both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 through form time activities. In the Sixth Form this is discussed on Personal Development days and in form time. We also address it through inspirational talks from employers, as well as posting relevant information about stereotypes on our school Careers notice boards.

Stereotypes occur in many forms in careers, including stereotyping based on age and race. Certain jobs are wrongly labelled as boring or stressful. There is a widely held false view that apprenticeships are only for students that can’t get into university.

One area of largest concerns is gender stereotyping and the lack of girls in STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). Maths and Science were among the top five favourite subjects in a recent poll of 8-15-year-old girls. Yet by the time they reach GCSE and A-level, the numbers of girls studying maths and science drops significantly. Only eight per cent of STEM apprentices are girls, with girls representing only three per cent of engineering apprentices and less than one per cent of automotive industry apprentices.

This video gives a good insight into gender stereotypes. It shows examples of people overcoming these stereotypes and offers advice for students:

Video: Breaking down career choice stereotypes

The article below offers explains the findings of a recent report into stereotypes in careers and makes interesting reading.

Children’s career aspirations are too often based on gender stereotypes, socio-economic backgrounds and TV, film and radio, according to a report published on the 19th January 2019.

The report, of which UCL Institute of Education (IOE) is a partner, was launched by Education and Employers and found that children’s career aspirations only marginally differ from age 7 to age 17. It also showed that some sectors vital for economic health look set to be badly under-resourced in future.

In the biggest survey of its kind, primary school children aged seven to 11 were asked to draw a picture of the job they want to do when they grow up. Based on results from 13,000 UK primary pupils, the report demonstrates that children’s aspirations are shaped from a young age. The report showed that 36 per cent of children from as young as seven years old, base their career aspirations on people they know. For those who didn’t, 45 per cent stated that TV, film and radio were the biggest factors influencing their choice.

Socio-economic background was one of several factors influencing children’s decisions. Gender stereotypes also influenced children’s choices: 34.1% of boys wanted to be sportsmen and 9.4% wanted to work in social media or gaming, while 18.6% of girls wanted to be teachers.

The survey also revealed that children’s career aspirations have little in common with projected workforce needs – suggesting that despite government interventions, young people aren’t attracted by careers in future growth sectors and those where there are already significant skills gaps.

Professor Becky Francis, Director of UCL Institute of Education, said:

“The world has certainly changed since the early second-wave feminist studies on children’s gendered perceptions of occupations and working life – and indeed even since my own research on this topic, conducted over the turn of the millennium. As my own research showed, girls’ occupational aspirations were already far higher and more diverse than had been the case in the 1970s and ’80s. This study demonstrates that this trend has continued in the interim.

“The increased diversity and aspiration reflected in girls’ choices (and increasing diversity for boys’ choices too) is an important finding, and something we should celebrate. Nevertheless, this important report also shows that some trends present in the early research remain stubbornly entrenched to this day. Especially, the tendency for boys to be attracted to technical and physical occupations, and girls to be attracted to caring and creative jobs, remains evident.

“These preferences (and later, choices) reflect the different life experiences according to gender to which children are still subject, and the impact these different experiences and resources continue to have on children’s identifications and preferences, including school and HE subject choices, and occupational interests.

“This matters, for several reasons. Economically it is desirable to see jobs allocated on merit, rather than based on gender (or indeed, ethnicity or social class). More directly, as the report points out, some sectors face staff and skills shortages, which are compounded by the lack of uptake by women or men respectively. And at an individual level, such trends suggest that many people are still having their ambition and potential capped by horizons that are narrowed by gender.”

Andreas Schleicher, director for Education and Skills, OECD (one of the report partners), commenting on the survey said:

“The lack of access to role models and awareness of the different jobs is a particular concern for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. But there is a simple solution that is easy to implement. All children, regardless of their social background, where they live or the jobs their parents do, should have the same chance to meet people doing a wide range of jobs to help them understand the vast opportunities open to them. It is something governments and policy makers around the world should give much more consideration to and, in the UK, it is vital to delivering the Government’s social mobility agenda and ensuring that the country has the skilled, modern workforce it needs.”

Dr Elnaz Kashefpakdel, Head of Research, Education and Employers, said:

“Our findings clearly show that children start to rule out career options from an early age and their choices are often influenced by what they see in the media. This highlights the pressing need for closer ties between employers and schools, to ensure that all children have access to role models in a wide range of sectors to help them develop an awareness of career options at an early age. This is vital to ensure that all children – regardless of gender and backgrounds – can fulfil their full potential.”

CV’s & Covering Letters

 

When applying for an apprenticeship or a job you will almost certainly need a CV and a covering letter.

Students will complete a CV writing workshop in Year 11 as part of Careers Day. They will be given a template CV to edit with their own details and will finish the day with a quality CV which they will be able to add to throughout their journey through school and beyond.

 

There are some useful links below:

Videos available by scrolling down to ‘CV & Interview Masterclass on demand’ https://learnliveuk.com/paving-the-way-virtual-careers-festival/

CV guidance: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/how-to-write-a-cv

CV example: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/example-cvs/skills-based-cv-example

Cover letter guidance: https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/

 

Here are some ideas:

Parent Guide

A very useful website for parents to use can be found by clicking on this link: 

https://www.startprofile.com/ 

Click ‘Continue as a guest’ instead of registering or logging on and you will be able to find out all about the different qualifications and careers available for your child straight away. 

 You can discover which qualifications are necessary for particular careers, and also be able to search for career options based on specific subjects studied at GCSE or at A Level. You will even be able to discover labour market information about the different jobs. 

 Students will register to Unifrog in Year 7 https://www.unifrog.org/sign-in where they can access local market information, research careers based on subjects and record their experience. If your child has forgotten their login and password – it is their school email address and they can use the ‘forgotten password’ feature. 

 You can find out lots of helpful information in these parent guides: 

 Parent Guide – Path to Professional Careers 

This guide offers lots of guidance about how to support your child’s journey. It explains the different routes available into careers and debates the differences between going to university compared with completing an apprenticeship. It also offers suggestions about how to prepare your child for university. 

 Parent Guide – Apprenticeships 

Amazing Apprenticeships have lots of resources on finding an apprenticeship as well as a monthly newsletter. Find the resources here: https://amazingapprenticeships.com/resources/  

The link below will short a short video explaining what an apprenticeship is. Click on the ‘Apprenticeships’ link on our Careers page for more information on apprenticeships. 

Video – Apprenticeships – Info for parents 

 Parent Guide – Path to Professional Careers 

A practical guide giving a step by step approach to help your child focus on career paths connected to their skills and interests. Covering the basics – from university, apprenticeships and other pathways into work, to work experience and employability skills.  

Careers in Health Care:

This NHS Careers website gives lots of useful information about the many different careers in health care:

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/

Click on this link and watch episode 21 to see a guide for how to use the NHS Careers website and the UCAS website:

Video – How to use the NHS Careers website

 

Useful Websites

Use the links below to find out more about specific careers and see how they suit you, along with the various routes into these careers. You can find out labour market information along with required skills and qualifications.

Start – you can explore Start Profile as a guest looking at different careers linked to departments and the sectors you are interested in – you are able to sign in as a guest.

Unifrog  – your profile will be set up in Year 7 and you will use it throughout your time at St Nicholas to record your experiences with careers and research jobs

National Careers Service website

www.icould.com

 

Apprenticeships:

www.getingofar.gov.uk

www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk. 

www.totalpeople.co.uk

Apprenticeship guide – successatschool.org ,

www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk

www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

 

University:

https://www.ucas.com/

 

Labour Market Information (LMI):

http://www.lmiforall.org.uk/widget/

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/home

https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/ier/ngrf/lmifuturetrends/sectorscovered

https://www.startprofile.com/   you can use Start Profile to see what jobs are available locally and what sectors are increasing

 

Careers in Health care:

This NHS Careers website gives lots of useful information about the many different careers in health care:

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/

Click on this link and watch episode 21 to see a guide for how to use the NHS Careers website and the UCAS website:

Video – How to use the NHS Careers website

 

Life Skills:

For help and advice on applying for a job and interview skills, sign up for Barclays Life skills by clicking on this link: Barclays Life Skills.

 

General careers information:

www.careerpilot.org.uk

www.gapyear.com

Barclays Life Skills

National Careers Service website

Career Camel

Year 11 Careers Day
A huge well done to all year 11 for taking part in Careers Day on the 27th September. Students had an employer encounter with RMG UK, a CV workshop from The Pledge and time to write their own CVs with feedback from RMG. They also had talks from Warrington Vale Royal, Cheshire College South & West, apprenticeship information from ASK apprenticeships and current apprentices for both level 3 and degree apprenticeships. Students then reflected on the day creating their own post 16 plan.
Feedback from students, teachers and outreach partners has been overwhelmingly positive and if you wish to leave feedback on our careers provision please complete this form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=TQCEKBxgKE67QeEw___TRPwdk44NGFhHhGRj_AiBqqJUQjRIQ1hRUzk1VlhFREsxOVFKR1Y2TEVNVi4u
See below for resources from the day so you can see what your child has looked at and reiterate students can access Unifrog to look at different sectors and jobs: https://www.unifrog.org/