Careers

There has never been a time when careers guidance has been as important for young people as it is today. The landscape of education, training and employment opportunities that students need to navigate is more complex and more challenging than that faced by previous generations.

We support students in making well-informed decisions by providing access to differentiated, impartial and independent information and guidance about the range of options (including academic, vocational, apprenticeships) that are most likely to help them to achieve their ambitions.  By helping students with decisions at crucial stages, informing them of all their options and introducing them to the world of work, we aim to prepare them for the world of work whichever pathway they choose.

Aims of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) at Chellaston Academy:

• to raise students’ aspirations and to broaden their horizons
• to inspire and to empower students to make informed realistic decisions at key transition points in learning and work
• to provide good quality independent and impartial careers advice to students which inspires them and motivates them to fulfil their potential
• to provide advice and guidance which is in the best interests of the student
• to provide opportunities to work in partnership with employers, training providers, local colleges and others to provide opportunities to inspire students through real-life contact with the world of work
• to develop enterprise and employability skills including skills for self-employment
• to support inclusion, challenge stereotyping and promote equality of opportunity

The Academy Careers Plan and Programme is based on the CDI Framework for Careers, Enterprise and Employability (2018) and the DfE document “Careers Guidance and Inspiration in Schools” (January 2018).

Mrs J Shillingford
Careers Lead
jshillingford@chellaston.derby.sch.uk
01332 702502

Information for Students and Parents

If you are unsure about your future career, a good starting point is to identify your skills and interests.

Take the BuzzQuiz on www.icould.com

What does your personality predict about your future career: www.bbc.co.uk/guides

Take a Skills Health Check. This takes a few hours but gives in depth advice: www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

Employability Skills

When you have an idea of the type of career you want, do some research to discover the skills that are needed to fulfil that job. The Prospects website has a list of many different job profiles and includes information on the skills required to fulfil that role: www.prospects.ac.uk.

Think about where you have already acquired these skills, maybe from work experience, a role you have taken on in school, extra-curricular activities, and also make a plan of how you are going to develop the skills you don’t have yet. For example, if you need to work on your confidence skills, volunteer to take part in an assembly.

The image below shows Employability Skills and the Enterprise Skills employers are looking for. Even if you don’t have a specific career in mind, working towards developing these skills will leave you more prepared for when you do decide.

Labour Market Information

What is Labour Market Information (LMI)?

Labour Market Information (LMI) tells us all about what is happening in the world of work, or the labour market.

What can LMI tell us?

• The number of job vacancies in each job sector.
• The type of vacancies — if they are part-time, full-time, temporary, seasonal or permanent.
• General trends in the world of work — such as which types of business are doing well or failing.
• What kind of businesses are opening, or closing down, in your area.
• The skills and qualifications that employers are looking for.
• What qualification levels and subjects people have.
• How many people are looking for work.

Why do I need LMI?

• LMI can give you a clear view of what is happening in the world of work, so you can make realistic plans when choosing your career.

• Knowing about things like the number and type of job vacancies, how work is changing and what employers are looking for can make it easier to plan what to do next.

• It will also help you to find out about the qualifications and employability skills you will need for your career ideas.

• LMI can give you an idea of the job situation and help you to find out which subjects or courses you might need for your career ideas.

Labour Market Information by Region – click here

Preparing for a Job or Apprenticeship

Writing A CV

The word Curriculum Vitae literally translated means the story of your life. Your CV is a very important document; with it rest your hopes and dreams for the future – that next step up the career ladder, a better position, more money and new challenges. Your CV therefore has to represent the best you have to offer if you do not want to miss out on that job you saw which was ‘perfect’ for you. These days employers often receive hundreds of CVs for each advertised position. So your CV has to be just that little bit special to stand out.

You may also need to include a covering letter.

You may find the following websites helpful to write your CV:

• www.alec.co.uk/cvtips/whatinfo.htm

• www.monster.co.uk/career-advice/cv-writing-tips

• www.planitplus.net/EasyCV

• www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/how-to-write-a-cv

These websites will give you advice on how to write a cover letter:

• www.bcs.org Although this is the careers section of the British Computer Society, the information here does not just apply to jobs in IT. There is useful advice here on different types of covering and application letters and how to tailor your response to your chosen job.

• www.e4s.co.uk

Preparing for a Job or Apprenticeship

Writing A CV

The word Curriculum Vitae literally translated means the story of your life. Your CV is a very important document; with it rest your hopes and dreams for the future – that next step up the career ladder, a better position, more money and new challenges. Your CV therefore has to represent the best you have to offer if you do not want to miss out on that job you saw which was ‘perfect’ for you. These days employers often receive hundreds of CVs for each advertised position. So your CV has to be just that little bit special to stand out.

You may also need to include a covering letter.

You may find the following websites helpful to write your CV:

• www.alec.co.uk/cvtips/whatinfo.htm

• www.monster.co.uk/career-advice/cv-writing-tips

• www.planitplus.net/EasyCV

• www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/how-to-write-a-cv

These websites will give you advice on how to write a cover letter:

• www.bcs.org Although this is the careers section of the British Computer Society, the information here does not just apply to jobs in IT. There is useful advice here on different types of covering and application letters and how to tailor your response to your chosen job.

• www.e4s.co.uk

Interviews

Once you have secured your interview, it is very important to prepare.

Preparation:

1. Find out about the organisation. Read their website inside out so you understand what they do, what they pride themselves on and what values they expect in their workers. Ask questions via their social media links so they get to know you before the interview.

2. Think about yourself. What skills, qualities and achievements have you got that would interest the interviewer. Note down examples of where you have shown and developed these skills. Read your application again and pick out the things you’d like to come out at interview.

3. Plan your journey – make sure you know exactly where and when the interview will be. Aim to arrive at the reception area of the company at least 15 minutes before the interview. If possible, have a dry run beforehand and an alternative plan in case something goes wrong.

4. Dress appropriately – choose clothes that suit the type of work and fit in with the organisation’s image. Aim to look clean, neat and tidy. Get your clothes ready the day before.

5. Always take a pen and something to write on and read your interview instructions carefully in case they have requested that you should bring anything else along.

Use the following websites to help you find out how to complete a successful interview:

• www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/interview-tips

• www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/interviews/interview-questions

• www.collegegrad.com/tough-interview-questions An American website, but a good basis for you to prepare some possible interview answers. This article features tough questions you may be asked at interview.

Useful Websites

There are many websites that you may find useful as part of your career research.  We have compiled these into a handy PDF file containing live links that you can download from here for future reference.

Information for Parents

Parents Guide to University

Parents Guide to Apprenticeships

Resources

Careers Policy

Vision and Strategic Objectives for Careers 2020 – 2023

Key Stage 3 Careers Programme 

Key Stage 4 Careers Programme

Sixth Form Careers Programme