Name: Careers & Opportunities for school leavers A booklet offering you information, guidance and support to assist you in making choices about your next steps and Degree-Level study. www.hellofuture.ac.uk @hellofutureccop Routes to Degree-Level Study Technical & Professional Courses School up Degree- to Year 11 Apprenticeships Level Study A Levels Did you know? The Opportunities Explained • After Year 11, students A Levels can get at least 3 years • Academic study of free full-time training • Study three or more individual subjects • Apprenticeships are free to all ages – many Technical & Professional Courses • Career related courses e.g. Sport, Business, apprentices are in their Hospitality, Engineering, Music, Applied Science etc 20s & 30s • Study relevant academic subjects and combine with • It may be possible to practical learning combine a technical • Many of the Level 3 courses carry the same UCAS course with an A Level points as 3 A Levels • Some employers pay the tuition costs of degree- Apprenticeships level study for their • A full-time paid job with training apprentices • Level 2 to Degree-Level qualifications • There are a variety Degree-Level Study of options to study at Includes: Degree-Level e.g. full- • Professional Courses time, part-time, distance • HNC/HNDs learning and through an • Higher-Level & Degree Apprenticeships apprenticeship • BA/BSc Degrees Case Studies Technical & Professional Courses Jess Pezet Film Production Andrew White at Kendal College Nurse Cadet at Lakes College I’m a Digital Imaging Technician, I’m a Nurse Cadet, so I study Health working in the camera departments for & Social Care at college, and I also get The BBC, Netflix and Channel 4. I studied experience working at the hospital in the Film Production at Kendal College and was different wards. Having experience in a offered a place at The Royal Conservatoire hospital is really good as it helps you to see Of Scotland (ranked in the global top 10 of which department you want to work in. At universities.) After graduating, I threw myself the start, I wanted to be a nurse, but after into work and got involved in as many projects working in the hospital, I now want to study as possible, a lot of them for free. From getting sports therapy at university. my name around and working extremely hard, I found jobs on amazing projects such as The At college, it’s different, there Windsors S3 (CH4), Get Even (Netflix) and is a freedom, and they treat Hobbs and Shaw (Universal). you like an adult. Be ambitious, passionate and Your work is your responsibility, the classes strongly motivated. It will carry are different start times, so it splits the week up and prepares you for university. It’s you to where you want to be. brought me out of my shell of being a kid and becoming an adult. A Levels Jade Chelton Barrow Andrew Fletcher Sixth Form, Furness College Kendal College I left school at 16 and my GCSE I studied A Level Mathematics, exam results weren’t quite what I Further Mathematics and Physics. There wanted. I had a child and was a full-time mum wasn’t any doubt in my mind, from my for two years until she had left nursery. first year, that I was going to apply to a top I wanted to get back into education and university to study Physics, and it meant that applied to Barrow Sixth Form after an from that get-go my tutors were all homed informal, helpful chat with my tutor. in on what I was trying to do and helping me Studying at Barrow Sixth Form has certainly to achieve that. They helped me with the built up my confidence and I’ve made new application process and I found a course I’m friends. excited about. I’ve always wanted to go to I’m now studying Physics at university and that could now Oxford University – it’s my be a possibility. absolute dream, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more! Case Studies Apprenticeships Laura Dent Lauren Carradus Higher-Level Accounting Public Protection Apprentice Apprentice at Dodd & Co at South Lakeland District Council Accountants I come to college every Tuesday for my We are taught by accredited AAT tutors, so you business apprenticeship. We learn about know you are learning from the best people, business in general, the different sectors, who understand the job role you are doing. communication & body language – it is quite far ranging. I don’t know what I want to do in “I’m working full-time the future - business is very open and you can and earning money.” go onto lots of things. I don’t think I have to decide now, we’re only young and we’re going I’m learning something new every week, to be working for a long time, so you’re never I’m able to have a social life, I get the always in one job! qualifications to back up my job - enabling me to progress in my career, and I’ve got no debt! “Apprenticeships teach you how I hope to become a Chartered Accountant in to be in a workplace with people the future. and how to balance work & social life.” Traineeships Catalina Dragu Chris Cork Administration Assistant at Joinery Apprentice at Lancaster & Morecambe Cubby Construction College After school I started college full-time to The best thing about my traineeship develop the skills required for a joinery role, to was the hands-on work experience which make me a stronger candidate for interview. was really beneficial when applying for jobs. My tutor was my reference and helped me I enjoyed the responsibility of working in a to apply for an Apprenticeship with Cubby professional environment, completing tasks Construction who I hope to continue working as part of a wider team and seeing the direct for and complete my foreman training’. results of my efforts. I now work in high street retail, whilst studying on the pre-access Health and Social Care course with the aim of going to university later. “Some advice I would give to Although a traineeship isn’t formally paid, young people would be to show the experience you will get is worth much enthusiasm and be willing to more! volunteer in any job or work you do.” Case Studies Degree-Level Courses Emily Manson Kristen Hardy Mechanical Design Apprentice PGCE General Primary (5-11) at BA Systems and studying the with SEND and Inclusion at the HNC at Furness College University of Cumbria We design the piping and ventilation systems, I will be the first person in my family to get the things that go inside the boats. One day a degree. In 10 years, I hope to see myself a week the company pays for us to come teaching a KS1 class in a special needs school to Furness College to complete the HNC, a and having the most amazing time with the Degree-Level course. children, being as creative as possible and still The course is based on what I’m doing living my inner child and still learning, you can specifically – I study mechanical science and never stop learning as a teacher. Every child engineering maths – the subjects that are and person you meet will teach you something crucial to the job. completely different. “The course enables me to live “My advice to others would be close to home, work normal to be persistent, follow your hours and get paid.” dream, and make sure you We get hands-on knowledge and use brand get other people to read your new equipment, like the CAD machines, so personal statement.” you get to see things, rather than imagining it. Different people will know how to big you up better than yourself, and they will notice spelling or grammar mistakes. Ross Melville Foundation Degree in Computing at Furness College and easy to get. As well the bonus incorporating Barrow Sixth Form of having a student card, offering Studying is the best opportunity for me to discounts in lots of stores. And expand on my computing skills, as well as not to forget about the financial learning new skills in a more professional benefits of a qualification.” environment. Before starting my course, I finished my Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT Looking at jobs without my qualification would and moved onto the Foundation Degree. I lead to a salary of £18,500 annually, however hadn’t had any computer-related jobs and with my qualification, these pay margins joined college straight after school. increased to £28,500 annually. My later life career goal is to become a software developer – it “The price is affordable, with would be nice to be a game developer – however the student loan being flexible anything involving code would be good. Directory Map Brampton SCOTLAND • William Howard School Carlisle • Gen 2 • PHX Training • University of Cumbria • Carlisle College Workington • Caldew School, Dalston • Gen 2 Maryport Wigton • Richard Rose Central Academy • PHX Training • Netherhall School • The Nelson • Newman Catholic School • University of Cumbria Thomlinson School • Trinity School • Lakes College • Energy Coast UTC Cockermouth • Workington Academy • Cockermouth School Penrith • Newton Rigg College • Keswick School Keswick • Ullswater Community College • Keswick • Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Whitehaven School • Whitehaven Academy Cleator Moor Appleby • PHX Training • St Benedict’s • Appleby Catholic High Ambleside/Windermere Grammar School School Egremont • University of Cumbria • West Lakes Academy • Lakes School Kirkby Stephen • Kirkby Stephen Kendal Grammar School Seascale • Kendal College • Gen 2 • Kirkbie Kendal School Milnthorpe • Queen Katherine School • Dallam School Ulverston Kirkby Lonsdale Millom • Gen 2 • Millom School • Queen Elizabeth School Morecambe Lancaster • PHX Training Barrow • University of Cumbria • PHX Training • Lancaster University • University of Cumbria