Careers Advice and Guidance

The College recognises the changing patterns of employment and economic development in the United Kingdom and, in order to meet the challenges set by these changes, will provide you with a comprehensive impartial Careers Education and Guidance Programme directed by the College Careers Advisers. The main aim of this support is to enable you to make fully informed decisions and plan your progression route from College to the next stage in your career. Much of this programme takes place through the tutorial system. In addition the College Careers Advisers organise a series of speakers, workshops and trips throughout the academic year to offer you up-to-date information about the local and national labour market, specialist presentations from representatives of a number of professions and give you the opportunity to take advantage of a well-stocked careers library and appropriate computer software. The College has qualified and knowledgeable Careers Advisers who are available every day to offer 1-1 impartial guidance. You will also have access to a specialist Work Experience Co-ordinator who can offer you help in gaining relevant work experience to enhance you University or Employment application. Connexions Cumbria contributes to the Careers Education and Guidance Programme by offering 1-1 guidance appointments, drop-in sessions and various employment workshops.

Higher Education

You will be supported from the 1st year in college by Group Tutors and Senior Tutors who have knowledge and experience of the Higher Education application system and dedicated College Careers Co-ordinators/Advisers with specialist knowledge and skills to offer guidance about university options, research skills, graduate employability, finance, bursaries and scholarships and who will help you make well informed choices. All students are offered the opportunity to have 1-1 guidance interviews with the College Careers Co-ordinators/Advisers.

Much of the programme of higher education with be through tutorial, however, a programme of Careers Events is organised throughout Years 12 & 13 to support you through the Higher Education process. Some of these events are as follows:-

  • Twice weekly informal drop in sessions throughout the Autumn term from different universities to help you get information about subjects, finance and university life
  • Dedicated sessions throughout the year to introduce you to Higher Education, give you detailed information about subjects at University, the application process and completing your personal statement, accepting offers from university, finance and how to apply
  • Parents events about applying to University and Finance
  • Series of trips and visits to Universities for Open Days, Subject Taster Days and a Higher Education Fair
  • University Admissions Tutor sessions in college to offer help and advice with personal statements
  • Mock Interviews for subjects such as Medicine, Veterinary Science, Nursing, Teaching, Social Work etc. These are delivered by the College Careers Advisers and University Admissions Tutors
  • Dedicated Work Experience Co-ordinator who can help you organise a programme of relevant work experience for your chosen degree course
Employment

College has strong links with local and national employers and is able to offer up-to-date information on the local and national labour market. The College Careers Co-ordinators/Advisers can offer information and advice about jobs and apprenticeships and specialist information about A Level employment opportunities. In addition our dedicated Work Experience Co-ordinator can help you organise relevant work experience to enhance your applications. Each student is offered 1-1 guidance interviews to enable you to understand the labour market and options for you, produce a CV, complete application forms and prepare for interviews.

In addition a programme of careers events is organised by the Careers Co-ordinators/Advisers each year to support you through the process of gaining suitable employment or training. Some of these events are as follows:-

  • Employer/Training Provider presentations during the Autumn term about current or future vacancies
  • Specialist sessions throughout the year about the labour market, how to get the most out of your CV, tips for completing application forms and being successful at interview.
  • Each student is offered the opportunity to have a mock job interview
  • Employment Fair held in college in February where 30+ employers and training providers bring information about current and future vacancies
  • Informal sessions from Connexions Cumbria regarding apprenticeship/job opportunities and support with applying
LDD

The College Careers Advisers/Co-ordinators can offer specialist information, advice, guidance and support to help you look at options, overcome barriers and make an informed choice about your next step. With the help of the college Learning Support Staff and Connexions Cumbria we can then help you plan the transition. This could be into Employment, Further Education or Higher Education.

Academically Very Able Students

In addition to our higher education programme, the College provides specialist information advice and guidance for those students who we recognise will be applying for very competitive universities or courses. College tutors are experienced in supporting students who apply for highly selective courses such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, nursing and art foundation courses.

Oxbridge Applications

A dedicated Oxbridge programme is organised throughout years 12 and 13 which aims to support those academically very able students who wish to apply. As well as one to one help from College tutors, other events are as follows:

  • A College visit to the Annual Oxbridge conference
  • A College visit to Oxford and Cambridge Open Days. These visits include pre-arranged opportunities to speak to individual admissions tutors at 4 different colleges
  • Interview practice with senior members of College staff.
  • Individual help with personal statements.

Academically very able students will have the opportunity to study the Extended Project qualification as an alternative to AS General Studies which is otherwise a compulsory component of AS study. This qualification is highly regarded by admissions tutors and enables students to develop essential independent research skills required for effective study at degree level whilst studying a topic of particular interest to the individual student.