Careers Update – Summer 2019

The last few weeks of the school year are always a really busy time for our careers provision – see below for the Summer schedule. If you want further information please feel free to email me [email protected] or call me on 01234 301500 extension 182. The activities below are carefully planned to help students develop their sense of self, knowledge of life beyond school and to build employability and resilience. We expect all students to participate and I am happy to discuss any reservations you may have. Experiences of workplaces, universities and interactions with establishments, employers and alumni have all been proven to increase earnings potential and reduce the chance of being not in education, employment or training in the future – something we care very much about for all of our students. I have also included some information on making the most of the summer holidays with ideas on how students can build employability skills, an update on Post 16 choices and guide to apprenticeship levels. A massive thank you to Zoedale Electronics who have offered a significant financial contribution towards the cost of a projector in the ILC which will help with the employer, college and university talks, workshops and webinars we do. I am hopeful this will be up and running in the Autumn term Currently, we are still the only school in the area to hold the Quality in Careers Standard and achieve all of the Gatsby Benchmarks. Having said that, we do not rest on our laurels and have plenty of new plans for the next Academic year including a visit to the National Skills Show, take your child to work day and the introduction of the skills builder framework. https://www.skillsbuilder.org/

Careers visits and activities schedule - Summer term 11/06/2019 Year 8 Employer Visit Dunster House 13/06/2019 Year 8 Employer Visit Ark-H 13/06/2019 Year 12 Modern School Careers Evening 14/06/2019 Year 8 Employer Visit Lloyds AM 14/06/2019 Year 8 Employer visit Lloyds PM 17/06/2019 Year 12 (rollover Year 13) Preparation for Uni Day University of , Luton Campus 21/06/2019 Year 12 (rollover Year 13) UCAS Conference University of Bedfordshire, Bedford Campus 25 – 28/06/2019 Year 12 (rollover Year 13) Work experience week 27/06/2019 Year 7 (rollover Year 8) Anglia Ruskin Visit tutor groups A to D 28/06/2019 Year 7 (rollover Year 8) Anglia Ruskin Visit tutor Groups D to G 01/07/2019 Year 8 (rollover Year 9) Employer Visit Amazon AM 01/07/2019 Year 8 (rollover Year 9) Employer Visit Amazon PM 02/07/2019 Year 8 (rollover Year 9) Employer Visit Ecotile 02/07/2019 Year 12 (rollover Year 13) ‘What does the future hold for generation alpha’ lecture Professor Joe Nellis 03/07/2019 Year 7 (rollover Year 8) Lockheed Martin ‘Egglanders’ Takeover Day 04/07/2019 Year 8 (rollover Year 9) Employer Visit Beds Fire & Rescue 08/07/2019 Year 10 (rollover Year 11) Next Steps Event University of Bedfordshire Bedford Campus 11/07/2019 Year 8 (rollover Year 9) Employer Visit Zoedale Electronics 11/07/2019 Year 8 (rollover Year 9) Employer Visit Network Rail 12/07/2019 Year 6 (Transition day) Employer Speed Networking Event 15/07/2019 Year 8 (rollover Year 9) Employer Visit Wilmott Dixon Sixth Form College Apprenticeship Alternative Provision What? What? What? What? Staying on at a school Sixth Form/ You can go to college to study A full time paid job with training – you For students whom Sixth Form, Sixth Form college after Year 11 to ‘vocational’ subjects like Engineering, learn work-based skills on the job and college or an apprenticeship is not study A Levels and /or Level 3 BTEC Hairdressing, Health & Social Care normally attend college for day a suitable environment, there is per week. Often leads to a permanent courses for 2 years. and Construction. Courses are specialist Post16 provision available. job. available from Entry Level to Level 3. Where? Where? Where? Where? , Bedford Sixth Local colleges are Bedford College, Lots of employers in Bedford offer Providers in Bedford are: Form, , another Shuttleworth College, Moulton apprenticeships and training is  Develop school Sixth Form or Sixth Form College, Central Beds College, normally provided by a local college.  SSG college. College & SSG.  Hart Learning & Development What grades do I need? What grades do I need? What grades do I need? What grades do I need? At least 5 GCSEs at Grade 9 - 4 Entry Level – no specific grades. This varies usually GCSE Maths & No specific grades required. You including English and / or Maths. Level 1 – Normally 3 subjects at English at Grade 4 or above for can receive support with Functional Some subjects such as A Level Grade 2 or above intermediate level apprenticeships. Skills (English, Maths & IT) and Level 2 – Normally 3 subjects at employability skills such as CV Maths and Science have higher Competition is fierce; determination Grade 3 or above writing, interview techniques, job minimum grade requirements. Level 3 - Normally 4 subjects at and motivation is key! applications, etc. Work experience Grade 4 or above including English (Higher and Degree Apprenticeships usually need may also be offered. and also Maths for some courses. A Level/Level 3 qualifications so you would apply for these after Sixth Form or college) How to find out more How to find out more How to find out more How to find out more  Start website:  Start website:  Start website:  Look on websites for www.startprofile.com www.startprofile.com www.startprofile.com Develop, SSG and Hart  Sixth Form Open Evenings  Attend college open days/  Request a Careers Learning & Development.  Sixth Form prospectuses taster days. appointment  Contact them to arrange a (Careers Library)  College prospectuses  National Apprenticeships visit.  Take into account the (Careers Library) website –  Speak to the Careers team opportunities ‘facilitating  Look on college websites www.apprenticeships.org.uk to find out more. subjects’ bring  ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk Don’t forget - you are required to remain in education or employment with training until your 18th birthday! Making the most of the Summer Holidays

As well as enjoying a break (and hopefully some sunshine!) the Summer holidays give young people a brilliant opportunity to do some work or volunteering. Why volunteer? Not only is it a great opportunity to develop new skills and experiences to put on your CV or UCAS personal statement, but it’s also a great way of meeting new people and making a difference in your community. Below are a number of exciting ways young people can get involved in volunteering over the summer:

Mencap & BDCPS (Bedford & District Cerebral Palsy Society) Summer Play schemes For students aged 14 or over with an interest in working with children, they can apply for a summer play scheme. Volunteers will be responsible for supporting a young person who has physical and/ or learning disability and encouraging them to take part in fun activities and trips. Click on the links below to find out more. BDCPS: http://www.bdcps.org.uk/get_involved Mencap: http://www.bedfordmencap.org.uk/summer_playscheme.htm

Community Volunteering – Bedford Borough Council Want to spend more time outdoors and help to improve the environment? Find out more about environmental volunteering opportunities in Bedford: https://www.bedford.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks-and-open-spaces/community-volunteering/

Community Voluntary Service (CVS) For a range of volunteering opportunities in the Bedford area have a look at: http://www.cvsbeds.org.uk/volunteering/

Bedford Youth Cabinet The Bedford Borough Youth Cabinet is made up of young people from every school (middle, upper, secondary, college, special) and from community groups and settings (hostels, children’s homes, in care) and they come together to influence decisions and change things for young people in their area and across Bedford Borough. To find out more go to: https://www.bedford.gov.uk/schools-education-and-childcare/children-and-young-people/youth-cabinet/

Bedford Libraries Summer Reading Challenge VOLUNTEERS WANTED! Are you aged between 14 to 19 - would you like to volunteer your time this Summer? Join our team of Summer Reading Challenge Champions and help younger children on their reading challenge To volunteer, see Mrs Bolter in the ILC, pick up an application pack from your local library or e‐mail [email protected] Closing date for completed applications is Friday 5th July 2019

Part time work For students aged under 16 who are interested in finding part time work, the best way to go about this is to visit small local businesses such as newsagents, cafes, coffee shops, hair salons and barber shops and ask if any would be willing to take on a young person. It will help to have an up to date CV to hand over to employers – students can come to Careers Club from 3.15 – 4.00pm on Mondays in the ILC for support with CV writing. For those aged 16 and over they can sign up to receive the weekly Jobs Hub bulletin which details all the latest full time, part time jobs, apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities. Sign up at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/jobs-hub/ They can also use job websites such as www.indeed.co.uk

Apprenticeships explained - What is an apprenticeship and where can it take you? An apprenticeship gives you hands-on experience, a salary and the opportunity to train while you work. All of this with some high quality, prestigious companies in loads of different industries. An apprenticeship is a real job. It’s a way to:  Earn a wage and learn at the same time, with at least 20% of your time set aside for learning – normally at a college, university or other training provider.  Gain official certification of your skills, equivalent to a qualification ranging from Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) up to degree level – see chart below.  Start a long-term career path with the possibility of higher earnings

When can I start an apprenticeship? From 16 years old (after Year 11), there is no upper age limit. What are the different levels of apprenticeships?

START – Individual Student Online Record of Achievement – Launched January 2019 https://login.startprofile.com/Login.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z9tc3ZtraA&feature=youtu.be

All students in Years 9 to 11 have had an induction at tutor time this year and should now have a log in. If they missed this their form tutor can easily look this up for them. Introduction to START lessons for Years 7 and 8 students are taking place in IT lessons this term. START is an online careers platform designed to connect 11-18 year olds with their future career potential. START combines the most comprehensive source of information with a personalised experience and career planning tools, helping our students to make more informed decisions about their future study and career options, as well as developing their employability.

START includes:  A student profile: students build their profile and access personalised study and career information.  Modules: activities to guide students through the information on Start at the right time.  Up to date information: engaging content on what to study, where to learn and the world of work.  START Locker: an online record of achievement to evidence skills for future applications and CVs.  Employability action plan: Students can set goals and stay in control of their career planning.