Information for students, parents, teachers and employees/useful links
We recognise that careers advice should start at a young age, therefore, we work in partnership with external careers agencies to ensure all of our learners receive appropriate information, advice and guidance in relation to their key stage.
Constantly pushing the boundaries to help our young people into employment we work on the ethos of ever expanding and growing in order to provide the best service we can offer.
The resources below can help learners and their parents to start thinking about careers. They cover topics such as choosing a career and different routes into the world of work, as well as providing detailed information on specific careers. They can also help students make decisions about the next steps in their education, such as A level or degree subject choices, whether or not they’ve decided on a career.
- National careers service
- Careersmap
- Plotr
- Life skills
- Central Government dedicated apprenticeship website
- Young Enterprise Young Money
- Career Development Institute
- Virgin Make £5 grow
- Career Pilot
- Talentino
Policies
Using the links below you will be able to gain access to key policies that underpin and support careers delivery within our schools.
Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Apprenticeships are officially on the rise…
In fact, vacancies for apprentices have risen by 15% over the last year, and applications have increased by almost a third. So, why are so many people in the UK turning to apprenticeships over more traditional career paths? It’s all about the benefits.
Here are five reasons why an apprenticeship could be right for you:
- You can earn while you learn
As an apprentice, you get to work alongside experienced staff who will help you to develop job-specific skills – and earn a wage at the same time. Although there is no set amount, employers are legally obliged to ensure you are paid at least the National Minimum Wage – and many employers pay more.
The average you can expect to take home each week will be £170 and in some jobs, it may be as much as £210 per week. And as your skills continue to develop, your earnings will increase too. - You gain practical and relevant work experience
Every apprenticeship scheme is designed by the Sector Skills Council, with the help of employers within your chosen industry. This means that it’s structured in a way that ensures you’ll learn and develop the key skills needed to do the job well.
Most of your time will be spent learning ‘on-the-job’ and the remainder of your time will be spent doing ‘off-the-job’ training on day release. This is when you’ll study additional elements which will be useful in the job you are currently doing, whilst helping to prepare you for your next job, the one after that, and the one after that. - You’ll automatically boost your career prospects
Because each apprenticeship scheme is tailored around the needs of the employer, you’ll gain invaluable experience, and develop the key skills that employers within that industry really want.
Not only will it make you an attractive prospect for future employers, but it will also help you enhance your longer-term career prospects and earning potential.
So whether you find something long-term at the company you’re working for, or you want to move on to another role within the industry, your apprenticeship will add value to every application. - You’ll achieve sought-after qualifications
It isn’t just practical skills and experience that you’ll gain during your apprenticeship – in most cases, you’ll also be able to back them up with a respected qualification.
For some industries, these sector-specific certifications will be even more valuable than gaining a relevant degree, and a much better indication that you’ll be able to hit the ground running.
And even if you decide to move on to a completely different role, you’ll still have something to show for the time you spent studying. - You’ll avoid student loans
A student leaving university will face anything between £30,000 and £60,000 of student loan debt, which they’ll have to start paying back as soon as they reach a reasonable salary.
As an apprentice, the Government covers the entire cost of your training. There aren’t any additional fees to pay, and you actually start earning a real salary straight away – rather than depending on borrowing money to complete your studies.
Below are links to national and local sites in relation to finding the right apprenticeship or traineeship for you depending on the school you are based in.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/browse-apprenticeships#
Local Links
- https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/apprenticeships
- https://www.nwslc.ac.uk/courses/apprenticeships/
- https://uk.indeed.com/Trainee-jobs-in-Nuneaton?vjk=4f8b0b24bd654c88
Work Experience
Employers are very keen on work experience – or rather, they’re keen on what it gives you: the confidence and practical skills you need to succeed in the workplace. Whether or not you’re planning to go to university or college, getting good work experience while you are at school will stand you in good stead when it comes to getting hired.
If you want to apply to an apprenticeship, your work experience will make you a much stronger candidate; if you plan to get a degree, you can draw on it when applying for internships and other placements. It will also give you a better feel for what you do and don’t enjoy and the career choices you want to make.
Gaining work experience arranged through your school is a great start. However, what employers mean by the term can be broader than you might think. All sorts of activities can help to develop the qualities you need at work.
Our schools are flexible with our work experience offer. Ideally every learner will attend one work experience opportunity before year 11 and then complete a second in post 16. This said, some of our learners have a consistent day of work experience throughout a school year, others complete their work experience in-house. We are always on the lookout for work experience opportunities, and we appreciate it when parents and students find their own.
All of our work experience opportunities need to be fully risk assessed before they are approved.
Labour Market Information
The world of work is continually changing and you may wonder what future employment opportunities will look like. Looking at future trends, the area around you, and the different ways in which we work can help you to plan your future career.
What is the ‘labour market’?
Labour market information can tell you:
- The number of people in certain types of jobs
- What jobs and skills employers are looking for
- Which industries are recruiting and where they are located
- Growing or declining job areas and general employment trends
When thinking about your career ideas it is useful to consider what is happening in the labour market; consider what is happening around you and always have ‘back up’ ideas.
Take a look at the following links to find out more about employment trends and sector growth in Leicestershire and West Midlands:
Careerometer
The Careerometer can be used to explore and compare key information about occupations and help you learn about different occupations and identify potential careers. It provides access to a selection of UK headline data relating to pay, weekly hours of work, and future employment prospects for different occupations, as well as a description of the occupation.
Instructions:
Use the link below to access the careerometer
- Simply type in the title of the job you are interested in and the widget provides a series of options from which you can select the most relevant to you
- You can then look up another two occupations and compare
- You can also select ‘display the UK average’ and compare the information with the occupation you have selected
- Be aware that this is national average data, but you can use it to help you get a bigger picture of the potential opportunities on offer when used in conjunction with our own industry, job idea, job area or desired occupation.
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/information/careerometer
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/information/careerometer
Skills Meter
Use the link below to access the Skills Meter
Instructions:
- Hit ‘Start Quiz’ and you will be presented with a series of statements
- Select the emoji that shows how you feel about each statement
- The progress bar that the bottom shows how close you are to completion
- Once you run out of cards on all of the panels, you will be given suggestions of jobs linked to what you most enjoy doing
https://www.icanbea.org.uk/skills-o-meter/
Case Studies
There are a number of routes and pathways into work, University or employment. Don’t take our word for it. Here are some case studies of learners who had studied with us in the past and have progressed into either work, apprenticeships or University.
Case Study 1. Learner A came to ALP aged 15 years old after recently being placed into the care of foster parents. Learner A had not been in school for some time and had previously attended a mainstream school. Learner A had a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Once settled, learner A accessed a catering program with one of our partner providers and found they had a keen interest in cooking and hospitality. With the support of ALP learner A was successful in securing a place at College on a catering course. Learner A has now completed their course and has gained experience working in the hospitality industry. They currently work full-time in a school kitchen.
Case Study 2. Learner B attended ALP through the school’s outreach program. Learner B suffered from severe agoraphobia and anxiety and due to this was unable to access the school during normal school hours. ALP provided outreach provision in support of gaining the qualifications needed to access further and higher education. One learner B had reached college leaving age, ALP supported them to access further studies that would allow them to gain entry onto an access course at a local university. Learner B is now in their final year of a degree qualification.
Case Study 3. Learner C attended ALP as part of an intervention program through their mainstream school. Learner C was diagnosed with ODD and ADHD and found it very hard to concentrate in a mainstream setting. Learner C eventually came onto the school roll at ALP and found that they really enjoyed Construction and working using their hands. Over time ALP were able to support Learner C to access weekly paid work experience with an electrical installation company whilst also attending ALP to ensure they gained numeracy and literacy qualifications to support an application for an apprenticeship.
Key contacts
ALP Leicester:
- Patrick McConnell – patrick.mcconell@alpschools.org
ALP Nuneaton:
Vacancy currently being advertised
Pierview Academy:
- Nicky Sutherland (Careers Lead) – nicky.sutherland@alpschools.org
- Kelly Butler (Careers Champion) – kelly.butler@alpschools.org
Parkview Academy:
- Emma Chatzispyridou (Careers Lead) – emma.chatzispyridou@alpschools.org
- Dee Zammit (Careers advisor via Connexions)
Useful links to some organisations who support our contacts: