careers world south west autumn 2013

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SOUTH WEST edion AUTUMN 2013 m “We all need to have a vision of what we might want to do as a career” JESSICA ENNIS-HILL Our Editor gives you the lowdown... RPA? TRAINEESHIPS? Our ultimate guide for applying to Uni UCAS: THE GUIDE AFFILIATE MEMBER

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Featuring: Jessica Ennis-Hill, UCAS: The Guide, RPA and Traineeships, and loads more 14-19 careers and training info and articles

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  • SOUTH WEST edition AUTUMN 2013

    m

    We all need to have a vision of what we might want to do as a career

    JESSICA ENNIS-HILL

    Our Editor gives you the lowdown...RPA? TRAINEESHIPS?Our ultimate guide for applying to UniUCAS: THE GUIDE

    AFFILIATE MEMBER

  • 01278 426828 and lets go to workTo develop the skills that will change your life forever, call Somerset Skills & Learning (SS&L) on:

    Lets Get Working with Apprenticeships

    Whether youre just leaving school or looking to change career, it isnt easy to fi nd a job these days.

    Employers expect qualifi cations and experience, so even the best candidates are struggling to get a break. Thats why more and more people are choosing an Apprenticeship.

    SomersetSkills & Learning

  • All material is copyrighted both written and illustrated. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. All images and information is collated from extensive research and along with advertisements is published in good faith. Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this publication was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Careers World is published by Open Doors Media Ltd 2013.

    Published by Open Doors Media Ltd01765 694 120 | [email protected] Editor | Tom [email protected]

    Designer | James [email protected] Production Manager | Sarah [email protected]

    Advertising | [email protected] | [email protected]

    ISSN: 2050-6619

    52 5450

    45 4939

    31 3527

    19 2315

    07 1104Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill tells us her inspirations for success in the rst of our new features.

    The best of the best in your region tell us about themselves!

    We give you the lowdown on all the other sectors out there, which well feature in future editions.

    Some commonly asked questions about this time of year.

    Some handy materials for careers advisors, plus some facts and gures about the world of careers.

    Some tools, tips and tricks to help you make those important choices, from our very own editor!

    We ask our specially selected panel to tell us what they can offer you!

    Some contact details we think youll nd useful, including web links, email addresses and phone numbers.

    And now for something completely different...

    EngineeringTravel & Hospitality

    Hair & BeautyAgricultureHealth & Social Care

    Applying to University: All You Need to Know! A handy guide to the many aspects of applying for university!

    Were Careers World Magazine, your one stop place for careers guidance!

    This term brings some important choices for a lot of people, so were here to help you make the choices that suit you best.

    In this issue, we will provide you with some tips and tricks to help you make those important decisions, as well as an in depth look at the biggest career sectors in your region. Youll also nd some

    funky new features, including some frequently asked questions, some advice from careers advisors and an interview with the lovely Jessica Ennis-Hill.

    So, what are you still looking at the contents page for? Turn this page over (actually, maybe look at the contents rst) and start your journey towards your dream career!

    Tom Haymes, Editor

    04

  • 6 www.careersworld.co.uk

    So, has the euphoria of the Olympics worn off, or do you still get goose-bumps when you hold your medal?I still get a real buzz when I see the footage from London, or show my medal to people. I worked so hard over twelve years to win that medal so its such a satisfying feeling to simply hold it and remind myself I did it.

    Your af nity for athletics began at a young age; at what point did you decide you wanted to be a full time athlete?I rst tried running, jumping and throwing at the age of ten and when one of the coaches suggested I join a club, I started to focus on speci c disciplines. So I was roughly 13 years old when I decided sport was the career for me.

    Its obviously a lot of peoples dream to be a sports personality, what does it feel like to be living that dream? Do you still pinch yourself before you compete at big events?I dont think you ever dream of being a sports personality; you dream of being the best athlete and for athletics the highest achievement is to win Olympic Gold. The rest of it is a by product of striving for that goal. I do really enjoy all of the fun events, glamorous parties and amazing shoots, but rst and foremost I am an athlete.

    Before making the choice to become a full time athlete, did you ever want to do anything else?At one time I did think Id like to be a journalist, but really I took up athletics pretty young and was ambitious as a sportswoman from the outset.

    You studied Psychology at university, which is a bit different to athletics, what was your thinking there?I really enjoyed psychology and wanted to study something outside sport; I loved the course and I think if I was not an athlete I would have pursued a career in psychology.

    As part of our shiny new look, weve decided on some new features. This section will feature interviews with famous people about their life and careers; dont forget, they were all in your position once! First up is Olympic Heptathlon Gold Medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill. Jess grew up in She eld, Yorkshire and was competing in track and eld from an early age. She talks to our editor about her experiences and provides some insight into what its like to be a professional athlete!

    Studies have recently shown that a student that has completed an Apprenticeship is just as desirable to an employer as a university graduate because of the work experience gained. What are your thoughts on this?I think its really important to have some kind of quali cation to fall back on and as an apprentice you usually come away with supporting quali cations. I think we all need to have a vision of what we might want to do as a career as this sets you up with a foundation for working.

    People often cite their parents as an in uence on their careers, how much input did your family have on your career choice?My parents werent really an in uence on me; they offered me support and advice when I wanted it, but it was me who made the decisions in the end.

    Away from the track, what do you do to unwind between events? I hear you are a Shef eld United fanI do support Shef eld United, but Im not a huge football fan; I dont have the time to really follow a lot of sport as I train 6 days a week. In my downtime I like nothing better than curling up on the sofa with a good TV box-set to watch. I need my rest!

    Obviously Shef eld has a huge manufacturing background; how much did your environment affect your choices growing up?Shef eld has played a key role in shaping me; I was born there, discovered athletics there, I went to school and university there and I choose to still live and train there. People from Yorkshire are known to be pretty down to Earth and being surrounded by honest and kind people has been a real advantage. I also have a very close family network and I think the combination has meant I had no desire to go to university in the US or anywhere else. So yes, I can say it has affected my choices.

    Determination is vital to being a professional athlete; would you say that same attribute could be applied to studying in school?I was always a focused student but I had to work hard to achieve really good grades so yes if you apply yourself you will achieve your best.

    Do you have any tips for young people who want to pursue a career in professional sports?Make sure you get the balance right between sport and education; you need a good education to get you through your whole life, whereas a sports career is relatively short.

    The heptathlon is your speciality, why did you choose this over other track and eld events?I tried out all disciplines when I was young and was guided by my current coach into heptathlon as I had the ability to do all 7 disciplines.

    How important do you feel careers advice is to young people?If you have no idea what you want to do, it is always good to look at all the options available. Careers advice can help you focus on what it is that you really want to do.

    When you decide to hang up your trainers, will you remain in some sort of sporting capacity or will you move into something else?Im not really sure, but I de nitely want to put something back into sport and help others with their careers. How that will look is something I am working on at the moment, but I still have a few years left on the track!

    Whats next for you then? Has the preparation for the next Olympics begun?Im taking each championship as it comes, and my long term goal will of course be the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

  • 7As a result of your successes, you must have met some interesting people? Whos your favourite person youve met so far? Its hard to say; there have been a lot of really interesting people, but I might have to say David Beckham who is incredibly nice and a great family man principles I really like.

    Do professionals such as yourself have much involvement in training younger athletes who are just starting out?Not whilst you are an athlete yourself as you have to really focus on your own training. But when I can I share experiences through my work with Sky Sports Living for Sport or through my website.

    You have travelled all over the world competing; which country have you enjoyed the most?I think its probably the commonwealth games in Melbourne, Australia; I loved the city and the people. Rome in Italy is a close second.

    Do the Olympians form a sort of social circle? Do you speak to any other athletes a lot outside of competitions?Not really, I tend to have close friends during competitions and training camps but when I am done at the track its key for me to switch off and be with my family and friends from school, they keep me real.

    Do you have any tips for people about to make those vital career choices?Take time to work out what you enjoy the most; work is full time and its much easier if you enjoy what you do and get satisfaction from doing it. If you dont know, then dont rush into something, you might regret it later in life.

  • APPLY

    L-Earn

  • Or RPA to you and me! It might sound like something youd hear in a credit card advert, but RPA is very, very important to you.

    9www.careersworld.co.uk

    Each issue, we ask our editor to give you a roundup of the topics that are going to a ect you, as well as the choices you need to make about your future. As you could imagine, there are plenty of things going on that tend to stay behind the scenes. Usually, youd have to go through pages of information to learn all this, but dont worry; weve done all that for you! Without further ado, well introduce our editor!

    WHAT IS RPA?It essentially dictates the age that somebody is free to leave compulsory education, so it really has a bearing on the choices youll be making in the near future. Compulsory education was, until this year, completed at the end of Year 11 (at the age of 16) and then you were free to go out and do what you liked. With the participation age now moved to 17, it means those leaving school in Year 11 must continue in education (or other options well get to that). It doesnt, as many worried young people thought, mean that theyre sticking another year into secondary school. You still do GCSEs in Year 11; the only difference is you now have to choose your next step in education.

    WHY CHANGE IT?Many young people are a bit baf ed as to why the government has told them they have to spend another year in education or training. I can see why; at 16 you gain more independence and some of you will be keen to see what you can make of yourselves in the wider world. This is admirable, but the problem was that people were leaving school and then not doing anything at all. This not only puts a strain on our bene ts and welfare system, but it also means that many young people werent able to get jobs further down the line.

    MEET THE EDITORMy name is Tom and Im

    the editor for Careers World magazine. As

    surprising as it may sound, it wasnt too long ago that

    I had to make choices about what I wanted to

    do. I remember sitting in a stuffy classroom, being

    confronted with weird words like Apprenticeship, Vocational and Wikipedia (Im not actually joking, life

    was tough back then...). I looked blankly at my

    careers advisor as they listed off what seemed like pages and pages

    of options, courses and colleges. I was in way over my head. Which path was the right one for me? What

    were these government programmes that Id heard

    about?I know that the position I was in wasnt unique to me; there were, are and

    always will be thousands of young people who arent

    really sure what theyre going to do after leaving school, or whats really going on in the world of

    education. This article is here to

    discuss some of the hot topics in the world of

    education, so that you are aware of how they impact

    you and what you can do to make sure you fully

    bene t from them. So then, lets get started.

    RAISING THE PARTICIPATION AGE

  • 10 www.careersworld.co.uk

    After a great deal of thought, the government decided that rather than risk young peoples talents going to waste, theyd implement a system which gave the younger generations a chance to be prepared for the working world. It shouldnt be thought of as making you stay in school because this isnt the case at all; its simply a way of ensuring that young people have a better chance of employment in a very tough job market.

    CHOICES, CHOICES...As I said, you dont have to stay in school if you dont want to. Full time education doesnt mean full time school. There are basically 3 options you can choose from, which are as follows:

    Full -time study in a Sixth Form, college or with a training provider

    Full-time work or volunteering combined with part-time education or training

    An Apprenticeship

    Many of you will already have made your decision and wont really have noticed all of this going on. If youve already applied for a Sixth Form or College, then youve voluntarily applied for full time study without even thinking about it. If you havent made a choice yet, then dont panic! If you dont fancy the idea of continuing studying, then you can opt to get a job instead.

    Now that job, as part of the new RPA rules, must include training. The best way to do this is through an Apprenticeship. Why, you ask? Well, an Apprenticeship allows you to earn money while you train in a fully functioning, work environment. Theyre available in pretty much every line of work you can think of; head to www.apprenticeships.org.uk, register and apply (you can apply for up to ten at a time and registration is totally free!).

    You can also volunteer or do intern work; you wont get paid, but the experience will look great

    on your C.V.! Again, this has to be accompanied by training or education, but the education can be done part time while you work.

    WHO IT AFFECTSIf youre reading this and youre in Year 11 or below, then youll be the rst crop of young people to experience the RPA. If this is the case, then chances are youve already made your decision on what it is you want to do next. The options will be explained to you in more detail by your careers advisors and teachers; remember, dont worry if you dont know what to do, there are plenty of people around you willing to help. As the year progresses, youll perhaps learn more about what it is you want to do.

    THE FUTUREIf you are just starting Year 11, then youll have plenty of time to choose your next step. With GCSEs coming up in the summer, its probably an idea

    to start thinking about it now. What you choose in the future will have a much larger bearing, because as of next summer, the participation age goes up again, to 18. The same rules apply; youll still do GCSEs in the Summer Term and nish Year 11, but you must then remain in education or training for two years, until you turn 18. If youve applied to study A-Levels, then you wont notice as they take 2 years to complete anyway. If youve applied for an Apprenticeship, then once its completed, youll have to continue in something else; this could either be the next level up on the Apprenticeship, or it could be work based training in a job role youve found.

    TRAINEESHIPSTheres a really annoying loop you can get into when looking for work. Youll apply for a job, but youll be told that to get the position you need to have experience. But without working, how do you get that experience do you need? You need a job, which you cant get because you dont have experience. See how irritating that is?

    Its a cycle that nearly everybody encounters when they start looking for work. In particular, this has become a common theme among young people applying for Apprenticeships. Apprenticeships have always been seen as the best way for people to gain experience and training while earning money. The problem now is that young people arent getting Apprenticeships because employers have deemed them unsuitable. The solution; the traineeship!

    A traineeship is part of the same family that the Apprenticeship scheme is in. Think of a traineeship as a practice Apprenticeship; theres no quali cation at the end of it (unless you undertook an English or maths course during your traineeship), but that aside, youll often undertake everything youll encounter in a full Apprenticeship programme.

    WHO THEYRE FORAnybody between the ages of 16-24 (from August 2013) can undertake a traineeship; the program is available to young people with learning disabilities up to the age of 25. Traineeships are aimed at young people who arent in a job and have little work experience, but have a strong desire to nd employment. It suits those who are between the ages of 16 and 19 and are quali ed below Level 3, or those between 19 and 24 who have not achieved a Level 2 quali cation.

    If youre already in work then theres no need to worry about it at the moment, but if for whatever reason you nd yourself out of a job, a traineeship could help you get back out there!

    WHAT YOULL GET OUT OF ITTraineeships are designed, rst and foremost, to prepare young people for work. Therefore, the focus is on building up the traits employers look for in people. This could be something as simple as practising for interviews or learning what to wear, right up to having solid maths and English skills. Skills training is an important part of a traineeship, as employers value good numerical and literary skills. If you already have a GCSE A*-C in those subjects, then its not something youll have to worry about. If you dont, then the traineeship can help build up your quali cations to a level that you require. This level can be entry, Level 1 or Level 2; whatever suits your needs.

    The core of the traineeship will be a high quality work placement. This will be at a workplace of your choice, therefore helping

  • 11www.careersworld.co.uk

    FINAL THOUGHTS...The aim of this is to ensure that the next generation of young people have the skills necessary to compete in todays job market. By undertaking compulsory education, skills can be built up to a point where a young person feels con dent when looking for work. Its all about bene tting you. You might not realise these bene ts straight away, but when it comes to applying for work, youll have an advantage if youve already had a job! Dont think of it as having to spend 1 or 2 extra years in school, thats a myth thats completely wrong. The options you choose open up many gateways to your career, something which you and you alone will choose.

    with the lack of experience factor of job applications. Your work placement will be created to suit your needs and will last from anywhere between six weeks and ve months. Employers will design a programme that gives you the best possible preparation for working in the job role full time. Theres even a chance that the company you do your placement at will offer you an Apprenticeship scheme!

    GETTING ONTO A TRAINEESHIP SCHEME

    You can apply for a traineeship by getting in contact with your local learning provider. Its a very popular scheme, so be prepared to wait a little while to get a place. You can also call the National Apprenticeship Service on 08000 150 600; youll be put through to a friendly person wholl take your details and help get you onto the scheme.

    HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?Ready for this? Nothing. It will cost you absolutely nothing. This scheme is aimed at those who might have trouble paying for other quali cations they might need to get into work, so itd be a bit pointless charging people for it!

    FINISHING THE COURSEYour traineeship will be over when one of three things happens:

    You move into employment, an apprenticeship or further education/training

    Youve completed all the aspects of the course, including the work placement

    Youve been in the programme for more than six months

    If its because of the rst one, then congratulations! If its one of the others, then dont worry. While youre working, your local learning provider will be working with employers to organise an Apprenticeship for you to start. Youll also be provided with support if there are any quali cations you need to complete to nd work.

    At the end of the traineeship, youll receive certi cates for any quali cations you took while on the course, such as maths and English awards. Youll also receive a reference from your employer, highlighting your strengths and experiences. You can use this reference as part of your C.V. when applying for jobs and coupled with your experience, will give your application hopes a real boost!

    FINAL THOUGHTS...Traineeships have been brought in to shore up a gap that has long needed lling. The age old experience problem will become a thing of the past. The traineeship scheme has just started in the last few months and has already received a huge number of applications. Dont worry though; they can be undertaken at any time of year, so if you ring up and get put on a waiting list then be patient. You wont be waiting long and itll really be worth it in the end, especially if the end result is a job or Apprenticeship.

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  • 13www.careersworld.co.uk

    Section Heading

    We help our clients create the value they want, from public and private companies, to governments and charities. We help to measure, protect and enhance the things that matter most to them. Web: www.pwc.com/uk/employability

    expert /eksprt/

    Noun.A person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area.

    AdjectiveHaving or involving such knowledge or skill.Synonymsnoun. specialist - connoisseur - adept - judge - masteradjective. skilled - skilful - skillful - pro cient - adept

    Ask the Experts

    Are you frustrated by all the choices you face? Dont you wish there was a way to compare all your options, or to have those key questions answered? Well, weve done it for you. Weve put together a team of experts from your area to give you an insight into what kind of experiences, bene ts and future they can o er you. Weve asked the same questions to each expert, to help you decide on the right choice for you.

    WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE AND BENEFITS CAN YOU OFFER POTENTIAL APPLICANTS?

    Join PwC and youll have the opportunity to be part of the worlds leading professional services network and enjoy the bene ts that come with that. Youll get to work with big name clients where youll get to grips with the value theyre looking for by getting into the detail. Well provide an environment where youll be able to explore new opportunities, to help you grow and nd your niche. And well also give you access to the best learning and development around. Everyone enjoys a structured career programme, including study towards a professional quali cation.

    WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN APPLICANT?

    Your intellect, willingness to learn, ability to build relationships, put yourself in others shoes, while always making a positive impact with our clients and each other. For most of our programmes we take any degree subject

    WHAT WOULD THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOUR APPLICANTS?

    No matter which area of the business you choose to join, all routes offer the same deal. The opportunity to grow as an individual, to meet new people, and build lasting relationships that will stay with you for life. Your hard work will be rewarded with a competitive salary and a personally tailored bene ts package.

    IF YOU HAVE ONE TIP, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

    You might not know it, but theres a good chance youre already developing the skills were looking for. To support you, weve developed an employability guide, to help you identify situations where you might be building them. Visit www.pwc.com/uk/employability for tips on how you can draw on these areas. Whats important is that you re ect on your experiences and use well thought-out examples, both in your online application and when we meet you.

    The Employer

  • 14 www.careersworld.co.uk

    Offering full and part-time courses, higher education and Apprenticeships, Dorchesters Kingston Maurward College is set in a stunning 750 acre estate complete with a Georgian manor house, commercial farm, and equestrian arenas. 2014 will see the college opening a brand new state of the art Animal Science

    Centre and Dorset Studio SchoolCourses include: agriculture, countryside management, horticulture, outdoor adventure and football, plus foundation learning, animal care, equine studies, business administration and IT.Web: www.kmc.ac.uk

    WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE AND BENEFITS CAN YOU OFFER POTENTIAL APPLICANTS?

    Our aim is to provide the learning and skills to equip students with the knowledge and experience they need to get on to their chosen career path.

    Our tutors have a wealth of industry experience that they apply to their teaching, ensuring that learners bene t from relevant and directional education throughout their courses.

    Our facilities, grounds and relaxed, friendly campus will inspire students to achieve their true potential.

    The University of Southampton is a member of the world-leading Russell Group of institutions and ranked amongst the top one percent of universities in the world. Southampton offers a distinctive education in a modern learning environment underpinned by three core elements: research that directly in uences the education we offer, choice and exibility in study options and preparation for employment and life after university. Web: www.southampton.ac.uk

    WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE AND BENEFITS CAN YOU OFFER POTENTIAL APPLICANTS?

    When you come to the University of Southampton, you have an amazing opportunity to explore the subjects youre really interested in with people who are just as excited and interested as you. And its not just through your lectures and coursework that youll learn and grow but also through the things you do outside of the classroom with clubs, societies, volunteering and community activities that will help to shape the types of things you learn whilst you earn a world class degree.

    Baltic Training Services provide real employment opportunities for young people who are looking to gain real life work experience, recognised quali cations and earn while they learn! We offer apprenticeships in; I.T. Professional Level 3 & 4, Software Development and Social Media and Digital Marketing across the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber and the Midlands. Web: www.baltictraining.com

    WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE AND BENEFITS CAN YOU OFFER POTENTIAL APPLICANTS?

    The ability to gain on the job training, receiving a guaranteed minimum salary of approximately 100 per week whilst gaining a nationally recognised quali cation, with the addition of free vendor quali cations including CISCO essentials, Microsoft Professional and CompTia depending on the apprenticeship completed.

  • 15www.careersworld.co.uk

    The College

    WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN APPLICANT?

    Every learner matters at Kingston Maurward College. We pride ourselves in meeting the needs of all our learners, their personalities and their abilities, and as such encourage all young people with an interest in our courses to apply as we endeavour to accommodate everyones needs.

    Each course has a range of entry requirements depending on its level, with many requiring work experience. Tutors will happily explain these entry requirements to anyone needing further clari cation.

    We focus on strengths not weaknesses, and our ethos is to encourage and support our students to bring out the best in them in order that they enjoy their time at college and succeed in life and work.

    WHAT WOULD THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOUR APPLICANTS?

    On successful completion of courses our students should be equipped with the knowledge they need to either progress on to further courses, higher education or enter the world of work with the necessary skills to develop their personalities and their skill sets.

    IF YOU HAVE ONE TIP, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

    Our top tip would be to take a look at our website - kmc.ac.uk! Candidates will see the huge range of courses we have to offer, our beautiful campus, and be inspired to come and join us!

    Details can also be found at our regular Information Sessions throughout the year, for people to come in and meet the tutors. Or simply call us on 01305 215 215 to nd out how to grow your future at Kingston Maurward College.

    The University

    Our world-leading academics will push the boundaries of your knowledge and experience and there are some fantastic and unique facilities in Southampton where learning becomes doing.

    WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN APPLICANT?

    Were looking for the most talented students, regardless of where they come from or their background. Whilst you need to ensure that you achieve the academic quali cations we require to get in, you also need to be passionate about the subject you want to study.

    WHAT WOULD THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOUR APPLICANTS?

    All of our degrees and foundation programmes represent the rst stage to a rewarding career. A Southampton degree opens many doors for career opportunities and says to employers that youve developed the skills that will stand you in good stead throughout your career.

    IF YOU HAVE ONE TIP, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

    Two tips, actually.

    To get the place you want when you are lling out your UCAS form, make the most of your personal statement. This is your best opportunity to share the person behind the quali cations.

    And once you get that place - take advantage of all the opportunities presented to you. Dont let anything pass you by!

    The Training Provider

    WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN APPLICANT?

    As our quali cations are a Level 3 standard, a good level of English and Maths is required, as well as a genuine interest in the role. However if a candidate shows a natural aptitude and ability we will consider any application.

    WHAT WOULD THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOUR APPLICANTS?

    80% of our candidates are employed by the employer on completion of their quali cation, if not they are in receipt of a high skill set, knowledge and work experience to transfer to future employment.

    IF YOU HAVE ONE TIP, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

    Be yourself, research the position and know your employer!

  • 17www.careersworld.co.uk 17www.careersworld.co.uk

    Celebrations as RAC becomes Royal Agricultural UniversityStaff, students and Governors at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester celebrates today as full university status is granted to the institution.

    The world-renowned provider of specialist education and research will now be known as the Royal Agricultural University.

    The Royal Agricultural University will continue to lead the development of teaching and research in agriculture, agri-business, equine, food, and land & property management.

    The university currently has more than 1150 students, from over 40 different countries, studying on one of its 30 undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. The university also has an impressive graduate employability rate; on average over the last five years, 94% of its students went on to employment or further study.

    This new title will enable the university to emphasise the strength of its reputation, history and expertise on a national and international platform.

    The Principal, Professor Chris Gaskell CBE, said:

    University status best describes what the institution does and aspires to do; the university title will benefit our students, their employers and the industries to which they contribute and agriculture, food and land management are some of the most important industries in the world today.

    Focus Web: www.focus4training.co.ukFocus Tel: 01752 348 980DCET Web: www.dcet.co.ukDCET Tel: 01392 829 100

    DCET and Focus Training join forcesDCET and Focus Training joined forces in the last 12 months, thus allowing us to offer a much wider range of courses with centres now in Exeter, Plymouth and Redruth.

    DCET specialise in Electrical, Health & Safety and Green Training qualifications. We are also currently working within Schools in the local area with learners who have low level skills to allow them to achieve a Level 2 qualification with the view to then progress on to higher level qualifications.

    Focus Training specialise in Retail, Hospitality, Administration, Sales, Care and Management training, working with learners across the whole of Devon and Cornwall.

    Both Focus and DCET Training have excellent reputation within Cornwall and Devon with strong industry links and partnerships with employers, and the local community. Our team of dedicated training officers and lecturers work flexibly with local employers and stakeholders to the benefit of the learners sustained employment and progression.

    Success rates for both DCET and Focus are consistently above the national average for each industry.

    Apprenticeships are a positive choice for anyone leaving school, as well as learning skills that will help to see you well into the future you also get paid along the way; Apprenticeships should be seen as a credible option to staying on at school or going to college.

    Get paid to get trained to get a career.

    Web: www.rau.ac.ukTel: 01285 652531Email: [email protected]

  • 18 www.careersworld.co.uk

    Web: www.thecollege.co.ukTel: 01202 205205Email: [email protected]

    Web: www.cityplym.ac.ukTel: 01752 305300

    City College PlymouthCity College Plymouth is one of the highest performing colleges of further education in the country, and was graded Good with Outstanding features by Ofsted in 2012. We are first in the South West and 5th nationally for the achievement of our students, and so by choosing to study with us, you are more likely to achieve your qualification. Therefore, you are more likely to progress on to university or your chosen career path than if you studied elsewhere.

    But on top of this, we pride ourselves in offering our students a friendly and supportive learning environment and are totally committed to:

    celebrating the diversity of our community, and welcoming everyone

    ensuring that you feel respected and valued, and that you are not discriminated against or harassed

    providing a safe and healthy environment developing high-quality courses that are well-taught, stimulating

    and lead to employment or a higher level course incorporating employability skills and enterprise into each and

    every course providing facilities and equipment that mirror the real working

    environment enriching your time at College with a wide-ranging programme

    of activities encouraging you to be an active member of our community, and

    listening to your opinions.

    All our courses are tailored to meet employment opportunities, and many of the employers we engage with give our students access to work experience opportunities and recruit them after successful completion of their course.

    As a Gazelle College we focus on ensuring that our students leave us prepared to make the most of every opportunity that presents itself, and to be able to make a contribution from day one to their community and workplace.

    Sam seals his place in the history of the Bournemouth & Poole CollegeSam Shore has become the first Apprentice from The Bournemouth & Poole College to achieve a Higher Apprenticeship in Engineering from the UKs national body that oversees engineering training and apprenticeships (SEMTA).

    Sam, 24, from Southbourne, works for Superior Seals, based on the Ferndown Industrial Estate, where he is busy carving out a career in the computer-aided seals design department.

    Craig Robinson, Engineering Apprenticeship Manager at the college said Sam had been a credit to the college and its Apprenticeship programme, and by becoming the first to achieve a Higher Apprenticeship he had blazed a trail for those young men and women who will follow in his footsteps.

    There are currently six other apprentices at Superior Seals - one of the leaders in the design and manufacturer of vital industrial seal systems.

    Sams training manager at Superior Seals, Jim ONeil, was full of praise for his protg.

    He is one of the most talented young designers we have ever had. He is so adept at assessing a problem on behalf of a client and he has that knack of finding a design solution quickly without fuss. He is confident in his own abilities.

    Sams work has meant he has to travel extensively to meet clients face-to-face which is another exciting facet of his job.

    Sam, a former Bournemouth Grammar School pupil, is proud to be paving the way forward in Higher Apprenticeships: Its an honour to be the first to gain this award via the college. I have had great support over the years from trainers and tutors and if I have set a standard for others coming through then so much the better.

    Higher Apprenticeships are the beginning of an incredible opportunity for local businesses and their employees to take the first steps in achieving vocational degrees. They give businesses the chance to either develop existing team members, or recruit exceptional new people into their company.

  • 19www.careersworld.co.uk

    Web: www.get-trained.orgTel: 01452 423461

    Gloucestershire Engineering TrainingGloucestershire Engineering Training has been providing work-based learning in engineering for learners from member companies for over 30 years. We train apprentices in both Mechanical and Electrical disciplines and also offer a dual skill programme for those employers who require multi-skilled individuals. We also provide a range of additional tailor made training programmes and services including practical hands on skills training and HNC courses.

    Gloucestershire Engineering Training has Charitable status, meaning we are owned and managed by the industry. Senior representatives from a range of member companies make up organisations Management Board. These individuals play a vital role in influencing and shaping the future of the organisation whilst ensuring that the training and services provided are truely reflective of the business needs and demands.

    The engineering training centre is based in Barnwood, Gloucester, and boasts just short of 22,000 square foot of workshop space and classrooms equipped with a variety of traditional machinery and the latest technology. Learners undertake the first year off-the-job element of their apprenticeship programme at the training centre which can accommodate up to 130 apprentices in any one intake.

    We currently provide training services to engineering and manufacturing organisations of all sizes within Gloucestershire across a diverse range of engineering specialisms from aeronautical to inteligent communication systems; from the production of drill bits to credit cards. We are able to offer programmes to such a wide range of specialisms, by providing learners with the basic underpinning knowledge and skills required across all facets of engineering within their first year of training, and then focusing on their chosen career pathway or specialism once the learners have returned the their employers premises.

    St. Brendans Sixth Form CollegeSt Brendans has been providing education for the young people of Bristol and Bath since the 1970s. It is a state run Sixth Form College that specialises in A-levels and BTECs as well as GCSEs and the International Baccalaureate. It offers a massive choice of over 70 courses which because of its size (over 1600 students), can be taken in any combination, which is not always the case in smaller sixth forms. The teaching staff are experts in their fields and all facilities are specific for 16-18 education.

    The College nestles behind a wall on the A4 between Bristol and Bath and many people do not even realise it is there, yet once through the gates you see that it is a modern, purpose built campus on huge grounds with fantastic facilities inside and out. Its location, right opposite the Brislington Park & Ride, makes it easy to get to from a large geographical area.

    St Brendans is holding Open Events in October for those who are interested in studying there in 2014: an Open Day on Saturday 12th October (10am-2pm) and Open Evenings on the 23rd and 24th (5-8pm).

    Web: www.stbrendanssixthform.comTel: 0117 977 7766Email: [email protected]

  • #bpcevents

    01202 205205 thecollege.co.uk/open

    ournemouth & oole ollege Talk to us about your future! See our 10M new facilities!

  • 21www.careersworld.co.uk

    WHAT KINDS OF CAREERS ARE AVAILABLE IN THIS SECTOR?

    Its all down to what you enjoy doing most; if travel is your thing, then you will nd work on cruise liners, ferries, trains and airline companies all over the world. If you prefer the home comforts, then you can work in the hospitality sector in a bar, restaurant, hotel, caf or even festivals and events. Over 200,000 people from this sector worked at the 2012 Olympics, highlighting the importance of Hospitality in the UK.

    WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY SECTOR?

    You can expect a varied, busy day in this sector; the majority of jobs in Travel and Hospitality involve being face to face with new people every day so customer service is very important. Of course, good hospitality brings tips, which means money in your pocket on top of your salary!

    WHAT KIND OF MONEY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

    In the Travel sector, salaries vary slightly depending on the company you work for; the major airlines and travel agents obviously offer more but there is more competition for jobs. The average starting salary is around 11,000 for travel agents and 14,000 for cabin crew. In the hospitality sector, a low basic salary is boosted by the tips factor; the starting salary is usually between 10,000 and 11,000 depending on your area of work.

    WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

    Again this varies on which sector you choose. Travel kind of speaks for itself; its for those who enjoy living out a suitcase and travelling the world. Travel agents tend to spend their time in an of ce helping customers, but do sometimes get out and about. Hospitality is divided into front and back of house; the front of house are your receptionists, bar and waiting staff, porters and supervisors, while back of house staff work in the kitchens and look after the hotel via cleaning, gardening and maintenance.

    IS THIS A POPULAR SECTOR TO WORK IN?

    Almost certainly. 9% of the UK workforce makes up this sector and it tends to be a bit more laid back because of the customer service aspect. Hospitality also one for the young people; more than half the workers in this sector are between the ages of 16-28 and more than half of them work part time, combining work with their education and other interests. Travel is also popular, as everybody wants to go on holiday for a living! This whole sector is the fth biggest contributor to the UK workforce.

    WHERE IS WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

    This particular sector is found all over the country wherever you see a hotel, pub, restaurant, caf, travel agents or airport you are looking at the Travel and Hospitality industry. You will obviously nd more work in the bigger city centres, where as airlines are based all over the world dont be afraid to branch out and discover new places!

    Travel & Hospitality

    Web: www.hospitalityguild.co.uk

    Floyds Story18 year old Floyd left school at 16 and started his apprenticeship at the University of West London, which is accredited by the Hospitality Guild as an Asian and Oriental Centre of Excellence.

    I applied online to do the Asian and Oriental course and initially completed a six-week pre-employment course.

    I hadnt thought about pursuing Indian cuisine to develop my cooking skills but Id always liked Asian food, especially the spices used.

    Im now working as an apprentice at Imli and love all the different flavours in the food. My favourite dish to cook at the moment is the Tandoori lamb chops they are great.

    My main advice to anyone wanting to work in this sector is that if you want to be a chef you have to actually enjoy cooking in order to enjoy the job. Its quite challenging but the benefits and fun factor is there, but be prepared to work hard. Im glad Ive taken this route and can see a bright future in the industry.

    Imagine waking up in London, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Sydney all in the same week. No, its not a TV show, its a career in Travel. If you like to keep your feet on the ground and enjoy working face to face with new people every day, then perhaps Hospitality is for you. Lets have a closer look

  • 22 www.careersworld.co.uk

    TRAVEL AGENTAll holidays have to start somewhere and it would be up to you help customers choose their perfect holiday. You will have to have a good knowledge of the world and the ever changing travel industry so that you can plan and book exactly what the customer wants. The starting salary varies between 11,000 and 14,000.

    CABIN CREWWith a uniform and a smile, you will be responsible for looking after the passengers travelling with you. This involves serving food and drinks, answering questions from the customers and giving advice and aid in tough situation. The perks speak for themselves, but as well as spending time in another country you can expect a starting salary of 14,000 - 16,000.

    CATERINGIf you have a air for preparing delicious dishes and fantastic food, then this might be the career for you. The type of work you will be doing depends on where you are based; you could be in a pub, a hotel, a restaurant anywhere you can see a menu. Jamie Oliver started out in an apprenticeship and hes done alright for himself! You can expect to earn up to 13,000 as an apprentice, but once you qualify it can vary depending on your location.

    BAR & WAITING STAFFBehind every good pub, restaurant, bistro and hotel lounge youll nd staff working hard to produce high quality service and products. This job is ideal for those who enjoy mingling and meeting new people and if you do well enough, expect good tips. This industry is ideal for young people as the average age for starters is between 15 and 18. The starting salary is quite low and does depend on your age, but the average for starters is around 10,000.

    HOTELS & RESORTSDo you ever wonder who puts the little mint on your pillow in a hotel? Or who decides which meals you eat for dinner? This line of work has a variety of roles, from Receptionists and Porters to Booking Assistants and Maintenance. Customer service is a priority here, so always make sure you have a smile on your face! Salaries vary depending on the role, but starters salaries range from 10,000 to 13,000.

    Careers ChoicesEverybody needs a holiday at some point. Whether its a far away tropical island, or a caravan in the Lake District, its always nice to forget about everything and put your feet up. Whilst you are on holiday, youll probably eat out at nice restaurants and your parents will enjoy a drink at the bar. Perhaps you ew to your destination and were served food and drink on the plane by a smiling cabin crew member. All these things that you enjoy are available as careers in the Travel and Hospitality industry.

    Its by no means easy; youll be challenged every day and will have to keep up to date with an ever changing industry. Not everybody takes to travelling or going out with a positive frame of mind (as Im sure anybody whose sat near a baby on a plane will tell you) and complaints, questions and problems can present themselves at any time, so you will have to be prepared to adapt and troubleshoot to make sure your customers are happy. If you are a determined, focused, sociable person with great personnel skills and an eye for the creative then you wont have trouble nding a career in this sector; have a look below at some of the roles:

  • 23www.careersworld.co.uk

    APPRENTICESHIPSThis is probably the most popular route into this sector - Its where it all began for Jamie Oliver. The government are keen to help both starters and the currently employed to up-skill to match the requirements of their job Last year, over 24,000 Level 2 starters began their apprenticeships, which at this level will result in either a BTEC, Diploma or NVQ. Here are some of the Apprenticeship Frameworks you can expect to see:Hospitality Services Food and Beverage Service Housekeeping Front of House Travel Services

    ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPSThis is the equivalent of an A level, but without sitting in a classroom studying. Like a regular Apprenticeship, its suited to more practical elds of work and you earn as you complete your study. On completion you will receive a Level 3 award in the form of a BTEC, Diploma or NVQ.Hospitality Supervision and Leadership Hospitality Retail Outlet Supervision Travel Services (Head Of ce, Field and Leisure & Business)

    A-LEVELSA-Levels are useful if you want to go on to university or study a foundation degree. Some A-levels you could take to get into this industry are listed below.English Language Maths Travel and Tourism Business Studies IT

    FOUNDATION DEGREESA Foundation Degree gives you both an academic and hands on experience and they are a great as either a gateway to university or into the working world. Usually, Foundation Degrees take two years to complete (although they can take up to four if you do them part time) and you will nd yourself learning at both the university campus and in the workplace. You can do a Foundation Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

    COLLEGE COURSESThese are another opportunity to get into this sector and you can nd out which colleges provide the relevant courses at www.careersworld.co.uk.

    Where to beginIf you like the idea of working in this sector, read on to nd out how to get started

    REGIONAL FOCUSClose to 194,000 people work in hospitality in the South West region; the area attracts over 26

    million visitors a year, so its important to keep them entertained and refreshed!

    The South West of England has almost 14,000 hotels across the region, most of which are found in major cities and towns such as Bournemouth,

    Yeovil, Exeter and Plymouth. If youre looking for a career in travel, then youll be please to know that the region is served

    by no less than 7 airports; the largest of these is

    found in Bristol.

    90%OF THE INDUSTRY WORK FULL-TIME

    332,700PEOPLE WORK IN THE PUBS, BARS & NIGHTCLUBS

    INDUSTRY

    MORE THAN

    218 MILLIONPEOPLE USE AIRLINES

    EVERY YEAR

  • 25www.careersworld.co.uk

    WHATS THE ENGINEERING SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

    Well, it certainly covers a lot of ground. Engineering is so diverse that pretty much everything you see around you is the product of engineering. Its about creating technology to help us advance as people; engineers were behind the rst aeroplane, the rst cannon, the rst microwave and even the rst tin of beans. But its not just about creation, its also about improving; F1 teams use engineers to make their cars faster and lighter and car manufacturers always need new designs to keep ahead in the market.

    WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

    This is a very big sector, so you can expect a very big salary as you become more quali ed. Starting salaries are around 17,000 and the average, fully quali ed engineer can expect to earn 43,000 a year. Of course, the more specialised you go, the more you will get!

    WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

    Most engineers work in factories, but some elds such as chemical engineering might require you to work in a laboratory with complex equipment or in the case of Marine Engineers, on a boat in the middle of the ocean!

    HOW DOES THIS SECTOR COMPARE TO OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

    As weve mentioned a billion times already, engineering is a huge part of the UK economy. In fact, it comprises one fth of it. Over half the people who work in Engineering are in managerial and professional roles, so there is an obvious route to progression in this sector.

    WHERE IS THE WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

    The North of England is one of the leading areas in the world for this sector; theres aerospace, automotive, chemical and marine engineering in that region, but speaking more locally, most factories and plants are where the action is. Naturally, most work is on industrial estates so be prepared to look around to nd the type of engineering you would like to work with.

    Engineering

    Web: www.utcplymouth.org

    The opening of the South Wests firstUTC in PlymouthUniversity Technical College Plymouth is now just a few weeks away from opening its doors. Based in Devonport, the UTC is run in close collaboration with local employer partners from various industries, including Babcock International, Kawasaki Precision Machinery and Ginsters.

    The college will specialise in marine engineering and advanced manufacturing and has received an 8 million government grant, for a number of campus improvements. It will initially have places for over 150 students at Year 10 and 12, rising to a capacity of 600 plus students by 2017.

    Principal Mary Cox spoke of the opportunities that UTC presents for local students and employers: Working in close collaboration to deliver the curriculum and live projects will help to provide employers with a well-educated and skilled workforce for the future.

    The curriculum at the UTC will help boost the employability of our students, equipping them with technical, communication and teamwork skills.

    Get more info and find out about forthcoming open evenings by visiting our website.

    You can engineer pretty much anything these days and its a sector that we rely on heavily to produce some important stu ! Aeroplanes, toxic chemicals, skyscrapers, cruise liners and tanks are all a result of an engineers thoughts. Read on to nd out how you can get into this sector

  • 26 www.careersworld.co.uk

    CHEMICAL ENGINEERINGThis sounds pretty complicated and it kind of is, as it deals with combining complex chemicals to produce products. However, its behind the advancement of some of our best medical cures and vaccinations, as well as creating new materials that are used in other areas of Engineering.

    METALS ENGINEERINGEverything you see thats made from a metal was engineered by this industry. Metal production is vitally important and it contributes 15 billion a year to our economy. Plus with recycling on the increase, the industry will continue to grow and grow.

    ELECTRICAL ENGINEERINGElectrical Engineering covers everything from the smallest microchips to ensuring the national grid (responsible for the power owing into our homes) is running smoothly. It covers maintenance and creation, as well as evaluating systems for improvement.

    AEROSPACE ENGINEERINGDid you know that the UK is the second largest manufacturer of space vehicles in the world? Aerospace covers satellites, commercial and military aircraft, space shuttles and all the bits that make them up.

    MARINE ENGINEERINGMarine Engineering covers all things oceanic. You could be designing cruise liners, shing boats and other aquatic vehicles. It also covers offshore oilrigs and wind farms. As the UK is an island, theres plenty of business to be had in this sector!

    DEFENCE ENGINEERINGAlthough most engineers that work in defence would probably fall into one of the above categories, there are projects (such as missiles, aircraft, satellites, advanced technology) that fall into a separate category. Some projects are kept top secret and require specialists to work on, so if you choose to follow this path, keep it on the low down..

    WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?Engineering pays very well, as there is a large demand for it. Starting salaries are around 20,000 and can go well over 40,000 with training and experience.

    Careers ChoicesEngineering is behind the creation of pretty much everything in the world. Thats a bold statement, but everything you see around you was at some point in time a thought in the mind of an engineer. You need a logical thought process, patience and a willingness to improve on what youve already done. No project is ever quite nished and there is always a little more to tweak and make better, faster or stronger. Here are the main areas of the Engineering industry.

  • 27www.careersworld.co.uk

    APPRENTICESHIPSAs you can see, there are a lot of choices to make regarding this sector. Its one of those careers where you specialise and stay on a particular path, so make sure you choose the right job for you. Here are the frameworks you can expect to see in this industry and all Apprenticeships result in a Level 2 BTEC, Diploma or NVQ.Engineering Engineering Construction Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industrial Applications Marine Industry

    ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPSThese are the equivalent to A-Levels and can usually be joined after completing the associated Intermediate Apprenticeship. They are ideal for people who want a practical role as they learn while gaining valuable employment experience. Engineers with Advanced Apprenticeships tend to progress to management a lot quicker than those without, as the skills they learn help them progress. Here are some of the Apprenticeship Frameworks for this sector and all of these will result in a Level 3 quali cation such as a BTEC, a Diploma or an NVQ.Engineering Engineering Construction Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Marine Industry

    A higher Apprenticeship (NVQ Level 4) is also available in Engineering Technology.

    A-LEVELSA-Levels are the most popular gateway into university and are sought after by employers. Here are some of the relevant A-Levels for this sector:Biology Chemistry Design and Technology Maths Marine Science Physics

    FOUNDATION DEGREESA Foundation Degree combines university lifestyle with practical, hands on work. Its sort of like a cross between an Apprenticeship and an Honours Degree. They are often used as gateway quali cations to a full time Degree as they count towards the rst two years of an Honours Degree. They usually take two years to complete and youll be both in the work place and on the university campus. They are available in a range of engineering subjects, including marine, aircraft and chemical.

    COLLEGE COURSESCollege courses are also a great way to get into this sector. To check which colleges do courses relevant to you, head towww.careersworld.co.uk.

    Where to beginIf you think this is the sector for you, read on to learn more about how you can kick your career off

    REGIONAL FOCUSHistorically, the South West of England has

    always relied on Maritime based engineering

    projects but as time went by, the region has moved with the market.

    Now, international companies such as

    Rolls-Royce, Airbus and British Aerospace have set up locations across

    the region, providing jobs in automotive,

    mechanical and aerospace engineering respectively.

    AN ESTIMATED

    154,400PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED

    IN AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING

    96%OF THE WORKFORCE

    IS FULL-TIME

    A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL CAR

    MANUFACTURERS HAVE UK BASED

    PRODUCTION SITES

  • think social care

    Knowing that

    I can make people

    happier is the

    most satisfying

    part of my job

    There are a huge range of jobsavailable in adult social care, such as...

    front line care workers, therapists, activity organisers, managers, administration

    One of the best ways to get into the sector is through an Apprenticeship.Earn while you learn.Gain qualifications.Become a confidentand skilled worker.

    How do I get intoadult social care?

    For more information about adult social care Apprenticeships:

    www.skillsforcare.org.uk/apprenticeshipsor email: [email protected]

    For more information about adult social care Apprenticeships:

    You could be in a

    home, out in your local

    community, or working

    in someones house.

    Theres more to social carethan you might think every day is different. You might be helping people to socialise with friends, go shoppingor even go on holiday.

    SfC A4 Magazine Advert June 2013 v7.indd 1 27/06/2013 12:32

  • 29www.careersworld.co.uk

    WHATS THE HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

    If you couldnt have guessed by the name, its about helping people who have fallen ill, hurt themselves or have problems at home. The medical side of this industry is vast; doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists, dentists, psychiatrists and many more roles help keep this country in top working order. The Social Care side helps people with more domestic issues, like fostering children, working with people with learning disabilities and helping families deal with issues.

    WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

    The average starting salary in this sector is around 13,000, but will quickly increase as you become more experienced and quali ed (this is especially the case with nurses). A fully quali ed nurse will earn upwards of 27,000 and doctors can earn anywhere between 38,000 and 63,000 depending on their speciality. Social workers usually start on 19,000 but can easily be on 35,000 when they become fully quali ed and experienced.

    WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

    This sort of depends on which area of the health sector you go into. If you work in Social

    Care, you will be out and about helping people in your remit. Some areas of responsibility are rather large, so you might need to travel a fair bit. A more of a medical environment awaits those in the Health sector; healthcare assistants can work anywhere from A&E to maternity, whereas doctors and nurses might be based in local surgeries or in actual, surgical situations.

    HOW DOES THIS SECTOR COMPARE TO OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

    As you can imagine, this is a huge sector in the UK. There are more than 1.52 million healthcare workers and over 1.56 million social care workers in this country, so itll come as no surprise that the UK National Health Service (NHS) is the largest employer in all of Europe!

    WHERE IS THE WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

    Well, every town or city has a hospital. If it didnt, people would get very stuck very quickly. Doctors surgeries can be found in smaller towns and villages, with some surgeries covering more than one village if the area isnt particularly built up. Social Workers work closely with the local authorities helping people in that particular country, but you do also get private rms which cover larger areas of the UK.

    Health & Social Care

    Web: www.skillsforcare.org.uk/icareEmail: [email protected]

    Ollie, Oaklands Community CareOllie left school at the age of sixteen and was unclear about which career path he wanted to take.

    Then he heard about an Apprenticeship at Oaklands Community Care, who deliver care and support services to people with learning disabilities and mental ill health. Ollie felt this might be the career for him as he already had experience within his family of the positive impact supported care can make.

    At Oaklands he was treated like a team member from the outset, initially shadowing project workers, getting to know service users and given responsibility. All this support helped Ollie gain confidence.

    Every day is different for Ollie. His tasks are varied and can include escorting service users to medical appointments, helping them to shop and cook, or just offering emotional support over a cup of tea.

    Ollie works with a range of adults with varying needs across different age groups. He feels a sense of achievement every day helping vulnerable adults back into the community and supporting their needs.

    After school, Ollie didnt think that he would be studying again, but is clear that being an apprentice is the ideal work-based route to a long term career supported by on-going work training.

    Ollie said: I would definitely recommend the Apprenticeship programme to those who want to gain experience in care, whilst training and studying. Its a brilliant programme and the training is second to none.

    Everybody gets sick at some point, its just the way it goes. To help us get better, we have the very best in doctors, nurses, dentists and other medical sta . It could be a strong bout of man u or a bump on the head from falling down the stairs; whatever it is, these guys have got you covered. If you want to be on the side that saves and improves lives, then youve chosen wisely!

  • 30 www.careersworld.co.uk

    ADULT SOCIAL CARECaring for adults is all about helping people who want to go out and live life, but for varying reasons couldnt do it by themselves. Its not about being a form of babysitter; its about helping people live their lives with dignity and independence. Some people are full time carers for family members, or look after several people during the course of their week. Salaries vary depending on your role and, perhaps more poignantly, when in the week you work. Night shifts, bank holidays and weeks usually pay much more than regular working hours, but normal starting salaries are around 13,000.

    ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONSThis covers some of the more specialised career paths within the health sector; radiographers, therapists, dieticians, psychologists and optometrists all come under this section. Your average starting salary is around 17,000 21,000 and will increase as you progress in your eld.

    CHILDCAREChildren require plenty of care; if left unattended they can draw on themselves, drink paint, catch re and fall victim to any number of problems in the world. Childcare is all about making sure children are looked after in a safe, friendly and fun environment; the variables of this are dictated by the age of the children you are caring for and your day might involve planning activities, providing meals, monitoring playtimes and leading basic educational sessions. You can expect to start on around 10,000, but after experience you can earn more and push on for a managerial role, which can earn you upwards of 22,000.

    DENTALGoing to the dentist isnt everybodys favourite thing to do, but dental hygiene is very important to our overall health. The human mouth acts as a gateway to the rest of our body, so if its not working properly, then our body wont act properly either. The dental industry is a highly skilled trade to be in, so therefore you need to have good attention to detail and a good, reassuring nature (not to mention a steady hand!). Dental nurse salaries start out at around 16,000, where as fully quali ed dentists can earn upwards of 30,000 in their rst year.

    HEALTHCARE SCIENCEMedicines, vaccines and other medical related chemicals are all created in a laboratory somewhere by our top healthcare scientists. This is less about surgery and patients and more about working in a lab with chemicals and data, which can be exciting if you enjoy chemistry. This also covers the pharmacists you get medicine from; they are responsible for choosing the right amounts of the right medicines that are prescribed by the doctors. Most starting salaries in this area are around 21,000 and will increase with experience.

    HEALTH INFORMATIONResearchers, analysts, IT professionalsthe list of people required to store the vast amount of people is huge. These people are responsible for keeping a record of literally everything that goes on in the hospital, from prescriptions and surgeries to patient records and medical histories. A hospital without health information would be absolute chaos; this is for those who want to work in a medical environment but dont want to do anything science related. Your salary depends on your role, but it will usually start at around 15,000, but at the top end of the ladder you could expect to earn over double that.

    NURSING & MIDWIFERYNurses assist doctors with complicated procedures, while also tending to the needs of the patients. In some situations, patients will be referred to nurses for simple surgical procedures or for blood sample collection. So it goes without saying that with all this patient interaction youll need to be smiley and approachable so that people feel safe letting you poke and prod them. Midwives are responsible for patients who are about to have (or have just had) babies. This involves both the patients and the babys well being, so if you love being around babies, this is de nitely the career for you. Salaries usually start between 15,000 and 20,000, but can rise to 30,000 and beyond.

    SOCIAL CARESocial workers work closely with young people and families helping with various issues such as behaviour, parenting, education and fostering. They also work with people just released from prison, helping them integrate into society. You might be working in hospitals, prisons or anywhere in the local community. Salaries can range from 19,000 to 22,000 when you start out, but most quali ed social workers are on 32,000 and over.

    WIDER HEALTHCAREAs with the Health Information team, the hospital wouldnt run without the various caterers, porters, maintenance men, gardeners and cleaners. Hospitals have to be kept clean to avoid infection spreading; many cleaning staff undertake courses to become sterilising specialists who clean down rooms and equipment. Salaries start out at around 12,000 and will increase with experience and added responsibility.

    Careers ChoicesKeeping people healthy has never been more important these days; were always looking for ways to protect ourselves from disease, improve our wellbeing or just lose a couple of pounds for the summer season. This sector covers everything from physical medicine and therapies to more specialised areas like psychiatry, fostering and child care.

    The Healthcare sector is huge; there are so many job roles that keep this industry ticking that we couldnt possibly list them all. We just couldnt. What we can do is show you the most popular areas that people go into and which job roles you might encounter when in that area.

  • 31www.careersworld.co.uk

    APPRENTICESHIPSIf you are aged 16 and over you could enter an Apprenticeship, which would teach you the skills you need while you work and earn a salary. Youll spend half your time in the classroom and half out on the job. Listed below are the apprenticeship frameworks for this sector, which when completed will give you a Level 2 quali cation in the form of a BTEC, Diploma or NVQ:Health and Social Care Health (Pharmacy Services) Health (Informatics) Health (Healthcare Support Services)

    ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPSThese are the equivalent to A-Levels and can usually be joined after completing the associated Intermediate Apprenticeship. They are ideal for people who want a practical role as they learn while gaining valuable employment experience. People with Advanced Apprenticeships tend to progress up the ladder a lot quicker than those without, as the skills they learn are more suited to management and supervisory roles. Here are some of the Apprenticeship Frameworks for this sector and all of these will result in a Level 3 quali cation such as a BTEC, a Diploma or an NVQ.Health and Social Care Health (Allied Health Profession Support) Health (Clinical Healthcare Support) Health (Dental Nursing) Health (Healthcare Support Services) Health (Maternity and Paediatric Support)

    A-LEVELSA-Levels are the most popular gateway into university and are sought after by employers. They will be useful to getting into this sector, especially science based quali cations. Here are the relevant A-Levels for this sector.Physics Biology Chemistry Health and Social Care IT English

    FOUNDATION DEGREESA Foundation Degree combines university lifestyle with practical, hands on work. Its sort of like a cross between an Apprenticeship and an Honours Degree. They are often used as gateway quali cations to a full time Degree as they count towards the rst two years of an Honours Degree. They usually take two years to complete and youll be both in the work place and on the university campus. There are a wide range of Foundation Degrees available for this sector, such as Health and Social Care and Nursing.

    COLLEGE COURSESA college course is another way to get into this sector. For more information, check out www.careersworld.co.uk

    VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONSVocational quali cations, such as BTECS and NVQs, are a great way to get straight into the speci c areas of this industry that wouldnt be covered by other quali cations.

    Where to beginIf you think this is the sector for you, read on to learn more about how you can kick your career off

    REGIONAL FOCUSHealth and Social care is the second largest

    sector in the South West; it currently employs close to 300,000 people across a wide variety of job roles.

    This accounts for 13% of the total work force in the region and just over

    10% of the countrys total health workforce! There

    are over 4,700 health establishments in the area,

    with 60% of these being small business or clinics with between 1 and 10

    employees. The two areas with the most people

    employed in the Health sector are, unsurprisingly,

    Plymouth and Bristol.

    OVER

    1.5 MILLIONPEOPLE WORK FOR

    THE NHS

    THIS SECTOR EMPLOYS OVER

    2 MILLIONPEOPLE

    THE HEALTH SECTOR IS

    THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE

    UK

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  • 33www.careersworld.co.uk

    Web: www.rau.ac.ukTel: 01285 652531Email: [email protected]

    WHATS THE AGRICULTURE & ANIMAL CARE SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

    Agriculture is quite a broad term for land based industries such as farming, landscaping, environmental conservation and forestry. It also covers the manufacturing of machinery for various uses on farms, forests and foliage alike. Animal Care involves the treatment of animals in both a domestic and professional environment. Whether this is through veterinary means or if you are grooming the next Grand National winner, youll need to know everything about the animals you will be looking after.

    WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

    Because this is such a broad sector, we cant list all the salaries for every single job, but as a rough guide, farm based job roles start at between 10,000 and 13,000 and increase as you progress up the career ladder. Specialist career paths such as farriery (making horseshoes) and park rangers (who look after our national parks) can start on around 18,000 and be on upwards of 30,000 after experience. In animal care, a veterinary nurse can expect to start out on about 13,000, whereas professional horse-groomers usually begin on about 12,000.

    WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

    Well, given that its land based and animals are mostly found outside, then youll be doing most of your work in the great

    outdoors! You could be in a eld harvesting crops, on a farm looking after the animals or in a forest keeping everything natural looking. In an animal care environment, you could be working in a veterinary surgery treating peoples pets, or going out and about in your community doing house calls. You could even be working at a race track helping horses prepare for their next big competition.

    HOW DOES THIS SECTOR COMPARE TO OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

    Just under half of the people that work in this sector are self employed, as most agricultural farms are family run businesses. On the animal care side of things, the demand for quali ed veterinary staff is on the rise; the government predicts that from now until 2020, this sector will require at least 44,000 people with a minimum Level 3 quali cation in their chosen eld.

    WHERE IS THE WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

    It goes without saying that this sector is focused on working in the countryside, so dont be looking to the big cities for work! Most farms are family run businesses, but you might nd some that are willing to take on apprentices. Youll also nd veterinary surgeries in nearly all small towns and villages, but youll nd it easier getting work in surgeries that have a larger catchment area.

    Agriculture & Animal Care

    Grace Chamberlain, 1st year BSc (Hons) Business Management (International Food and Agribusiness), The Royal Agricultural UniversityI began my first year of studying BSc (Hons) Business Management (International Food and Agribusiness) at the Royal Agricultural University in September 2012 after visiting the University on an Open Day whilst at Sixth Form. At the Open Day I fell in love with the beautiful university buildings and Cotswold countryside whilst learning about the amazing skills and knowledge that my chosen course can provide.

    Knowing that finding employment is difficult in the UK at the moment I was particularly impressed by the fact that 94% of RAU students are employed within the first six months of leaving university.

    I feel that my course is tailored to increase my employability because it includes a 20 week work placement in its second year which will allow me to broaden my knowledge in a real working environment and therefore appeal to future employers.

    One of my modules is also Languages for Beginners where I study French, a great skill to have in future life.

    Life at the Royal Ag is packed with a fun social life and great opportunities. I feel that university is a fantastic learning curve and as well as gaining academic knowledge, I have developed my social and life skills by moving away from home.

    Although I am unsure of my specific future career choice I know that I have a wide range of options and that many doors will open during my time at university. I know that the RAU will support and guide me into life after studying.

    The UK is blessed with some of the most beautiful countryside in the world; rolling hills, green elds and more breathtaking views than you can shake a stick at. Its also an important part of our economy, with farming, landscaping, conservation and national parks all bringing in money in various ways. Animal care is all about caring for animals (duh); making sure they are t and healthy, as well as grooming them for both domestic and professional use.

  • 34 www.careersworld.co.uk

    HORTICULTURE & LANDSCAPINGEver wondered what it is that makes our country that little bit more beautiful? From the city centre parks people stroll in to the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales, this sector is all about making the areas we visit look good. You might be arranging owers in a local community or maintaining our national parks; either way youll be getting plenty of satisfaction from people taking in your work. Your starting salary will be around 15,000, but could be more depending on what it is your working on.

    FARM WORKERIts not all big beards and wellies (although you should probably get a pair for this; you might end up losing your trainers pretty quickly). Farming is hard work, but the rewards that come out of it, in terms of money and pride, are well known. You could be looking after animals such as sheep, cows and pigs, or working with high-tech machinery cultivating and harvesting crops. You can expect to earn around 7,200 if you are aged 16 or over, while those who are 19 and over will expect to bring in around 10,000, rising to around 15,000 with experience.

    RANGERRangers are responsible for keeping our national parks clean and tidy, while also making sure that the wildlife and plants are also kept healthy and safe. This is de nitely a career for those who want to work outdoors but also for those who are avid about the environment and working with animals. Salaries start out at around 18,000, but Senior Rangers can earn in excess of 30,000.

    VETERINARY NURSINGAnimals get sick just like people do (and unlike people, they cant drive themselves to the doctors; their feet cant reach the pedals for one thing) and require treatment, checkups and if necessary, surgery. Veterinary nurses assist vets in treating various different types of domestic animals, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, parrots and horses. Youll learn all about the different types of animal anatomies, as well as the kinds of treatments each animal needs in each situation. Dont be afraid to get your hands a bit messy in this industry! Your starting salary will be around 14,000, but Senior Veterinary Nurses earn around 25,000.

    LAND BASED ENGINEERINGAs you can imagine, farm working involves a heck of a lot of complex machinery, such as threshers, harvesters, processors, tractors and many others. Land based engineers are responsible for building and maintaining these machines, so an eye for mechanics and systems will be handy here. Starting salaries in this sector are quite high and usually between 20,000 and 26,000.

    Careers ChoicesSo, do you think you could thrive in an Agricultural environment? If you dont like working outside but still like the idea of working with animals, then perhaps you would want to consider a career in veterinary sciences or as an animal trainer! This sector is truly massive, so massive in fact that the job roles weve listed below dont really begin to scratch the surface of what you can do! These are the most popular job roles you can expect to nd:

  • 35www.careersworld.co.uk

    APPRENTICESHIPSIf you are aged 16 and over you could enter an Apprenticeship, which would teach you the skills you need while you work and earn a salary. Youll spend half your time in the classroom and half out on the job. Listed below are the apprenticeship frameworks for this sector, which when completed will give you a Level 2 quali cation in the form of a BTEC, Diploma or NVQ:Game and Wildlife Management Animal Care Horticulture Environmental Conservation Land Based Engineering

    ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPSThese are the equivalent to A-Levels and can usually be joined after completing the associated Intermediate Apprenticeship. They are ideal for people who want a practical role as they learn while gaining valuable employment experience. People with Advanced Apprenticeships tend to progress up the ladder a lot quicker than those without, as the skills they learn are more suited to management and supervisory roles. Here are some of the Apprenticeship Frameworks for this sector and all of these will result in a Level 3 quali cation such as a BTEC, a Diploma or an NVQ.Animal Care Environmental Conservation Game and Wildlife Management Land Based Engineering Veterinary Nursing

    A-LEVELSA-Levels are the most popular gateway into university and are sought after by employers. They are also useful for getting into more senior roles such as management and team leading. The following A-Levels will help you get into this sector:Biology Chemistry Maths English Geography Geology

    FOUNDATION DEGREESA Foundation Degree combines university lifestyle with practical, hands on work. Its sort of like a cross between an Apprenticeship and an Honours Degree. They are often used as gateway quali cations to a full time Degree as they count towards the rst two years of an Honours Degree. They usually take two years to complete and youll be both in the work place and on the university campus. There are a wide range of Foundation Degrees available for this sector, such as Farm Management and Wildlife Conservation.

    COLLEGE COURSESA college course is another way to get into this sector. For more information, check out www.careersworld.co.uk

    VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONSThese can be undertaken instead of doing A-Levels and can be done at Level 2 and 3. They, like Apprenticeships, can result in a BTEC, NVQ or Diploma and are handy for getting into more speci c job roles in this sector.

    Where to beginIf you think this is the sector for you, read on to learn more about how you can kick your career off

    REGIONAL FOCUSItll come as no surprise to you that the majority of the

    workforce in this sector is employed in job roles

    associated with crops and livestock. Around half of these businesses are run by self employed people, so if you like the idea of

    working for yourself, then this could be the career for you! The South West also

    has the highest number of animal care businesses (580), employing just short

    of 4,100 people.

    78,000PEOPLE WORK IN

    ANIMAL CARE

    3,350AGRICULTURE RELATED BUSINESSES IN THE UK

    86%OF ANIMAL CARE

    BUSINESSES EMPLOY 5 STAFF OR LESS

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