UNIVERSITY IS NOT THE ONLY FRUIT...

SIXTH FORM SEMINAR – COLLINGWOOD COLLEGE – 18TH OCTOBER 2011

Mr C Woolford – IAG Co-ordinator

Aim of session

To raise your awareness of your post 18 options, assist with your decision making process and explain the progression routes after Collingwood College.

Objectives

By the end of this session you should be able to:

State who your IAG Co-ordinator is and how to access the service within Collingwood College

List the main post 18 options Identify your next steps – what you need

to do in order to make a decision about your post 18 options

Introductions

Information, Advice & Guidance Co-ordinator – offer help with choosing courses, careers and planning your future

Drop-in at anytime between 8.00am and 4.00pm

Located in Careers Department (LRC downstairs)

Careers web-page on Collingwood VLEwww.collingwoodcareers.wordpress.com

What are you planning on doing after leaving Collingwood

College?

The main post 18 options

HE FE

Work

Gap Year

Apprenticeship

Destination of Collingwood College students 2010-2011

Higher Education

Further Education

Employment

Other

Routes of students (Year 13)

58% 21% 18% 3%

Further education/or returning to Collingwood

Employment

Training Other

Routes of students (Year 11)

95.5% 3% 0.3% 1.5%

Routes of students (Year 12)

96.2% 2.4% 0% 1.4%

Apprenticeships - “earn while you learn”

http://www.careersbox.co.uk/films/sfa/?sector=38&filmID=1841

Apprenticeships – “earn while you learn”

Advantages of apprenticeships:-

Earnings – between £95 and £200 per week

Support during training Prospects Choice of industries and employers

11

The Framework An Apprenticeship is made up of three parts

1. A Technical Certificate at level 2, 3 or 4Examples:Supporting Youth Work Level 2 and 3 awarded by City & GuildsDiploma in Youth Work Level 3 awarded by ABC

2. A Competence based NVQ Example:Youth Work Level 2 or 3

3. Key Skills/ Functional Skills Example:Communication Level 2

Sometimes there are additional requirements: Example for Youth Work

An appointed first aid person - First Aid Certificate

Health and Safety unit (for level 3)

NVQ

Apprenticeships – Three levels

1 - Intermediate Level ApprenticeshipsIntermediate apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as an NVQ Level 2, Key Skills and, in some cases, a relevant knowledge-based qualification such as a BTEC.These provide the skills you need for your chosen career and allow entry to an Advanced Level Apprenticeship.

2 - Advanced Level ApprenticeshipsAdvanced level apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as NVQ Level 3, Key Skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledge-based certificate such as a BTEC. To start this programme, you should ideally have five GCSEs (grade C or above) or have completed an Intermediate Level Apprenticeship.

3 - Higher ApprenticeshipsHigher Apprenticeships work towards work-based learning qualifications such as NVQ Level 4 and, in some cases, a knowledge-based qualification such as a Foundation degree.

For opportunities and more information visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprentices in numbers...

89% of apprentices would recommend an apprenticeship to other people in similar circumstances to themselves

Over 9 out of 10 apprentices are in work or education on completing their apprenticeship

More than three-quarters of apprentices say that without their apprenticeship they wouldn't be earning their current salary

Further Education

Qualification Chart

AcademicRoute

A Level(AS + A2)

GCSEsIGCSEs

General Vocational

Route

BTEC NationalOCR National

BTEC Level 1OCR National

VRQ atEntry Level

1- 3

BTEC FirstOCR Nationals

Diploma

Advanced

Higher

Foundation

Work BasedRoute

NVQ 3

NVQ 2

NVQ 1GCSEsIGCSEs

3

2

1

Entry

Levels

E1, E2,E3

Equiv

GCSEA*-C

Equiv

GCSE D-G Equiv

A LevelEquiv

Further Education – Foundation Degrees A university level (Level 5), employment-focussed qualification A course designed in partnership with employers to address local,

regional or national skills needs A course delivered primarily by universities and colleges and

occasionally by other organisations (for example, private training providers (PTCs))

A course which offers a blend of academic and work-based learning A qualification validated and awarded by universities A stand-alone recognised degree in its own right equivalent to the

first two years of an honours degree A qualification which allows graduates to use letters after their

name such as FdA, FdSc, FdEng, depending on the course of study A course which entitles graduates to progress to honours degree

level (usually into the final year) or other higher level (such as professional qualifications) through further study

For example...

International Travel and Tourism Operations Management Foundation Degree FdA - 2012:13

Location:  Guildford College UCAS Code:  N800 Year  2012:13 Start Date:  September 2012Duration:  2 Years Attendance:  A full time course. Lecturers form an integral part of the course and are currently time-tabled between 9.30am and 5pm. 1 day a week is allocated for private study. FT/PT:  Full-Time     Exam Board:  University of Surrey Level:  5 Tuition Fees: £4750 Exam Fees: £0 Other Fees: £0 Advisory Costs:  £785.00

Employment

Employment...fast facts

44% of economically active 16-17 year olds who have left school are unable to find a job in 2011

9% of the 16-18 age group are NEET

20% of 16-24 year olds are out of work

Some local employers receive up to 250 applications for just one job

Source: notgoingtouni

Minimum wage

£3.68/hour for 16-17 year olds

£4.98 for 18-20 year olds£6.08 for workers aged 21 and over

Where to look?

Jobcentre Plus – accessed via direct.gov web-site

Recruitment agencies – a good source for unadvertised vacancies and also industry specific

Papers and websites – local and national publications (print and online) plus websites such as www.totaljobs.com

Social networks – increasingly employers are using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

Research – company web-sites

School leavers programme

Pros:

A school leavers programme is an alternative route into professions such as Accountancy, Retail or Banking

You can achieve a professional qualification whilst earning money and gaining work experience

Going to university can be expensive and can lead to debt You gain firsthand experience through working with

professions within an industry that interests you You can go on to higher education at a later stage of your

life

KPMG school leavers programme http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLJeGNlWTZM&feature=player_embedded

Source: purepotential.org

PwC School & College Leavers Programme

Joining straight after Level 3 qualifications

You don’t need to go to university to get on in your career. Not if you have some good Level 3 qualifications behind you. School and College Leavers can now jump straight into the world of work and earn while you study towards a professional accounting or tax qualification.

PwC

Assurance - Financial Audits, Public Services , Risk Assurance and Technology Assurance

To qualify as Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) within 4 years

280 UCAS tariff points

PwC

Tax – Corporate Tax, Indirect Tax (e.g. VAT) & Human Resources Consulting Services

Plenty of practical, on-the-job training while studying for a professional

qualification with the Association of Tax Technicians (ATT). Takes c. 2 years.

240 UCAS tariff points

Cons:

University provides students with three or more years to think about what career they want to go into before committing to anything

Whilst at university, students develop a wide range of skills which provide a strong foundation

A university degree is flexible and provides access to a range of careers, where as a school leavers programme focuses solely on one particular profession

A degree can help you quickly progress up the ladder and often opens new doors

There is a great deal of support and government help available to those who apply to university

Gap Years

Gap Years

Around 200,000 young people take gap years abroad every year...so what are the advantages?

Challenge yourself and widen your horizons A refreshing break from education It could be a chance to earn some money before

university/college, or have a break before going into work

Develop skills & gain valuable work experience for your CV

A gap year may not be the right option for everyone,so think about what’s best for you

Things to consider...

Can be expensive – work along the way? Leaving the jobs market for 12 months –

possibly miss out on many opportunities Readjustment to “normal” life on your return Safety – 1/3 of gap year students will be

involved in an accident (so get insurance) The more you put in...the more employers

will be impressed - think about demonstrating your planning, preparation, working & volunteering skills

Gap year resources

www.gapyear.com

www.aventure.co.uk

www.gapforce.org

Year in industry – an alternative to gap year

Some students may wish to consider a year in industry before entering higher education.

give your CV the competitive edge let you try out your degree or career choice give you real work experience earn money

For more information try www.yini.org.uk for current opportunities

Higher Education

Higher Education overview There are about 280 universities and higher

education institutes in the UK Vast number of subjects to study – over 150

subject areas Degree courses are generally 3 or 4 years long

but can be up to 7 years for medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and architecture

Over 50% of English and Welsh universities are currently charging tuition fees of c.£9000 per year – fees for Scotland and Northern Ireland to be confirmed

Financing your studies

From 2012 a majority of universities will be charging the maximum of £9000 tuition fees.

No upfront feesRepay loan when earning >£21ke.g. Earning £25k you pay 9% of the £4k above £21k = £30/month

Tuition Fees c. £6-9,000

Living Costs£5,500

Loan repayment

up to 30 years

Higher Education – what to consider?

Reasons you may want to continue to study a subject at a higher level are:

You have been good at and have enjoyed the subject in the past.

You need this subject to enter a particular career.

You have not studied the subject before but you have looked into it and think it will suit your strengths.

Higher Education – what to consider?

Further considerations should be taken into account:

Some subjects are more difficult at an advanced level.

Make sure you get your facts straight. There are many misconceptions about subjects required for courses and careers.

Don’t take an uninformed risk. What is the new subject actually about?

Source: http://russellgroup.org/Informed%20Choices%20final.pdf

Higher Education – what to consider?

Home or away? Cost of halls of residence at University of Derby range from £3087 - £4287 per academic year

No perfect life long choice...there are always options to change course/institution

Select course subjects then institution If no idea then select subjects that you enjoy which

keeps your options open or consider combined degrees e.g. English & Journalism

Sources of information – use 2 or 3 including friends, family, people who have been to university, IAG service within the college and tutors.

Options – things to consider Education - Free until 19 Back up courses

Training - Apprenticeship availability

Finding employer/training provider

16 – 18 yr old Back up option

Employment - Apply early Back up option

Who can help?

IAG Co-ordinator Surrey Connexions via

web-site/telephone Teachers Colleges – web-sites & college

information centres Surrey Area Prospectus Family & friends

Objectives revisited – what was today all about?

In this session you learned:

Who your IAG Co-ordinator is and how to access the service

The main post 18 options To identify what you need to do in order

to make a decision about your future options.

Questions?

Thank you for listening and taking part