Information for Students
Students
The information provided on this page is intended to help you navigate your way to the top of your mountain. You will find a variety of links that will support you throughout your time at St Aidan’s and guide you through your key transition points (Yr7, Yr9, Yr11 and Yr13). It is never too early to start preparing for your career goal or exploring the vast range of post 16 and 18 options and jobs available to you.
Career Education Information and Advice
The careers learning journey is a visual map of the exciting careers programme that is available to you during your time with us. Your careers learning journey will include employer talks and visits, opportunities to experience or hear about what is on offer at local and national Universities, information and guidance around college courses, apprenticeships and traineeships; and how you’re learning links with the world of work. All of which will help you develop a sense of direction by accumulating a range of information and experiences towards your end goal, and ultimately prepare you for your ‘next steps’.
We are always looking to develop this plan so if you have any ideas please forward them to Mrs Osmialowski, Careers Leader.
Career Guidance
Career Guidance is an opportunity for students have a one-to-one meeting with a careers professional to discuss your ‘next steps’. All year 11 students will have their one-to-one meeting with Mrs Osmialowski, Careers Advisor and Yr12 and Yr13 pupils will be offered an appointments with a careers advisor from EDT. This is an opportunity for you to share ideas and explore your post 16 and post 18 options, as well as receive information, advice and guidance to help you make an informed decision. Following your careers guidance meeting you will be provided with a personal action plan that you can share with your parents/carers.
Dates and times of open evening/information evenings and vacancies with local HE providers and employers will be shared via twitter @SACA_CareersEd, School Gateway and the school Newsletter.
Career Guidance appointments can be requested from Yr7 – Yr13. To make an appointment please contact Mrs Osmialowski.
Further information and advice
The DFE have produced this short video to explain post 16 choices for young people. Click here to watch.
The Skillsometer helps you explore the jobs they may be interested in. Thinking about skills, interests and the ways these can link to jobs can be a helpful first step in identifying possible future jobs.
A Levels
A Levels are subject based qualifications usually studies over two years assessed by exams. They can lead to further study, training or work.
To find out more, visit the National Careers Service website A Level pages.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are real jobs that allow young people to earn a wage whilst they learn. They can take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on the level and go all the way to degree level. Students can apply for an apprenticeship whilst still in school but must be 16 or over to start one.
To find out more, visit the National Careers Service website apprenticeship pages and Amazing Apprenticeships Parent Zone
T Levels
A T Level is a nationally recognised qualification for 16-19 year olds that lasts for two years and is the equivalent of 3 A Levels. Leading businesses and employers have helped design T Levels to give young people the knowledge and skills they need for work or further study.
To find out more, visit the National Careers Service website T Levels pages.
This guide will support understanding of what T Levels are.
Access this toolkit to develop your skills, knowledge and confidence in talking about T-Levels with parents
Vocational Technical Qualifications (VTQs)
VTQs are practical qualifications for over 16s designed to help students get the skills they need to start their career or go on to higher levels of education. There are a few different types and levels of VTQs including BTECs from Levels 1 – 7, Cambridge Nationals: Levels 1 and 2, Cambridge Technicals: Levels 2 and 3 and T Levels at Level 3.
To find out more, visit the National Careers Service website VTQ pages.
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
HTQs are technical qualifications for young people 18 or over, that are approved by employers. They are usually classroom based and there are many different types, including Higher national diplomas, Higher national certificates, Foundation Degrees and Higher education diplomas.
To find out more, visit the National Careers Service website HTQ pages.
Higher Education (HE)
HE is the name for qualifications and courses young people can take after 18. There are many different types including Diplomas, Bachelor degrees, Foundation degrees and foundation years, HTQs and Degree Level Apprenticeships.
To find out about more, visit the National Careers Service website HE pages.
Work
Young people can only enter the world of work that does not involve further education or training full time, after the age of 18.
Supported Internships with an education health care plan (EHCP)
Key information:
This is an unpaid work-based study programme that usually last for one year. It includes an extended work placement that lasts for at least 6 months. They help young people on EHCPs to take their first step from education into the workplace.
To find out more, visit the National Careers Service website supported internship pages.
School leaver schemes
Some companies offer school leaver schemes to young people who have completed A Levels. The schemes allow them to learn and train with a large company whilst earning a wage.
To find out more, visit the National Careers Service website school leaver schemes pages.
Work Experience
All Yr10 and Yr12 students will have the opportunity to engage in one week of work experience. We believe this enables all students to experience first-hand experiences of the workplace to help you explore career opportunities, expand your networks and develop key employability skills. A launch assembly will be delivered in partnership with, Future First to give you an insight into work experience and how to find and secure a work placement. It is sometimes useful to tap into your own contacts to find a placement, friends and family may be able to help you out or you can research local employers and write to them or contact them by telephone. Think about your interests and strengths and talk your ideas over with family, friends and staff. Remember, this is your opportunity to find a placement that can really give you an insight into the job sector that you are interested in or links to your likes and strengths.
All supporting documentation to help you find and secure your work placement will be provided following the launch event.
Labour Market Information (LMI)
Labour market information tells you about the local or national demand there is for different skills and from different industries. Labour market information tells you:
- Which jobs are likely to be easiest or hardest to find in your area
- Which are the big employers in different areas and which ones have jobs on offer
- What skills employers are looking for and which are in short supply
- How much you can expect to be paid in specific jobs
- What working conditions are like
- What qualifications will be most helpful if you want a certain career
- What the jobs of the future might look like and which jobs might disappear
All of these factors can help you make a more informed decision about what career path to take. The Careerometer can be used to help you explore and compare different jobs.
There are certain areas of industry where the North East performs strongly, and which is likely to grow in the future, based on what we know at the moment. In the North East, the sectors that we expect to grow in the future are: Digital Advanced manufacturing Health and life sciences Energy.
The North East have identified four main growth areas:
- Advanced Engineering
- Digital
- Energy
- Health & Life Sciences
Click here for more information about the main growth areas.
Click here to have a look at the Careerometer and explore lots of different careers
LMI Bulletin (Issue 464)
LMI Bulletin (Issue 465)
Alumni
We work closely with our Alumni to share their journey with you and inspire you to reach the top of your mountain. We encourage Yr11 and Yr13 students to sign up to future first so that we can keep in touch and let you know how you can give back to your school, as well as sharing news and updates, and hopefully you can return to share your story and inspire the younger generation!
Click below to sign up to future first
