Entry into university is competitive and there are many different options to explore. The school works with many local universities to help keep you informed but a great starting point is to take a look at the following websites and begin searching for different courses and universities that may interest you. Remember universities are trying to attract you, where you go is down to you – no-one else.

• UCAS is the leading website. Universities keep UCAS regularly updated about changes to their courses: www.ucas.com
• Which is another great website to help you explore university. It also includes lots of useful guidance articles: www.university.which.co.uk
• What A levels do you need for the degree you want to study? www.university.which.co.uk
• Attending Open Days is crucial to really get a feel of a university and if it is right for you. Click here to Browse the Opendays.com calendar of university and college open days: www.opendays.com/calendar

It is important to check the entry requirements of each course carefully. Drop into the Sixth Form Office if you need advice:  www.ucas.com

• Unistats uses data from entry requirements, student destinations and national student surveys: www.unistats.ac.uk
• Education Guardian focuses on the quality of teaching and what students think: www.theguardian.com
• Push Guide uses a wider variety of factors including money, ease of entry and student life: www.push.co.uk

The personal statement is the most difficult part of your application and will take a lot of thought and redrafting. The school will give you lots of support with this.

These are the main areas that you should include in your personal statement:

• Why do you want to study this course? What interests you the most about this course? Show off your subject knowledge- be geeky. Talk about the super-curricular activities you have engaged with. (This will form the largest part of your statement).
• How are your current subjects/studies relevant to your chosen degree?
• What relevant work experience have you taken part in? Reflect on what you learnt from this experience that will help you on this course.
• Extra achievements/experiences inside and outside of school that will help you succeed on this course.

At Barr Beacon School, we will often encourage you to take part in extra-curricular activities or apply for roles in school, as employers and universities want to see that you do more than just show up for your lessons. Believe it or not, attending lessons and getting good grades is the bare minimum- and we know how hard those grades are to secure. Employers and universities will look at your grades first and if they are high enough, they will then read your application, personal statement and reference and will want to learn a lot more about you from there. However, here is where the crucial difference comes into play.

Employers will love to see as much extra-curricular activities as possible- anything that is ‘extra’ to your studies e.g. Sports Clubs, roles as a Prefect, voluntary work outside of school, School Council etc. Universities however only want to see a little bit of this. They are mostly interested in your super-curricular activities- anything you do above and beyond your learning that is directly linked to the subject you are applying for. For example, if you applying for a Physics course, universities want to hear about the wider reading you do beyond your studies; they want to know about the physics taster lecture you attended at a local university; they are interested in your thoughts on the Ted Talk you watched on astronomy; they want to hear about the MOOC course or EPQ you are completing on quantum mechanics. Be geeky about your subjects. Show how interested you are by going above and beyond what your teachers ask you to do. Ask your teachers for recommended wider reading. This is crucial for success at university and all those extra-curricular activities will pay off when you apply for your first job.

Follow these links to get started:

• Start a MOOC Course on www.futurelearn.com/courses
• Watch a speaker on: www.ted.com/recommends

Student debt should never be seen as a barrier to university, but you definitely need to consider whether you are happy to take on a student loan or if you would prefer going straight into an apprenticeship and earning while you learn. Will you regret not having the student life experience? There is a lot to consider.

Yes, you will have a lot of debt after university, but this only has to be repaid when you are earning enough to start repaying and only a very small percentage of your wages are paid towards your student loan each month. It goes straight out of your bank account too, so it is hassle free. There will be nobody coming to your home to repossess your belongings or chase up your payments, and if you are unable to pay back the loan after 30 years then you won’t ever have to. Think of it more like graduate tax.

These websites have more detailed information to help you decide:

• Direct Gov explains everything in detail and is where you will apply for your student loan: https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• Student Finance England: https://www.slc.co.uk/
• Money Savings Expert give an excellent, well-informed overview: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-tuition-fees-changes/

Working to save money has outgrown the traditional Gap year activities.

If you are an IT, Science, Technology or Business student try the Year In Industry and get a salary of £8,000 – £12,000 before going off to University.

Taking A Year Out is still a popular way to spend a year before going to Uni. This link will take you to 35 specialist providers with UK-based, support and information from the not-for-profit ‘Year Out Group’ organisation.

How to plan a gap year:

• www.lattitude.org.uk
• www.workexperience.org
• www.accessprofessions.com
• www.gapyear.com
• www.gapyearjobs.co.uk

Getting your qualifications is the first step onto the road of work. Trying to find a job can be a daunting task. This area will help you and guide you through trying to find a job. It lays out all of the options available to you once you have qualified.

Knowing where to look for a job is vital. Most organisations advertise in a variety of ways:

• Recruitment websites often hold many jobs, such as www.reed.co.uk , www.monster.co.uk and www.jobs.theguardian.com . There are many more.
• Local newspapers will have a jobs section.
• Radio/TV - Local radio stations sometimes run job advertisements.
• In the community and in shops - Check out your local supermarkets and local shops for job advertisements.
• Most available jobs are not posted in any newspaper or on any job website. They are posted on the individual company websites. So check the “career opportunities” on local companies’ websites for job openings.

If the job count in your local area is low or there are no jobs relating to your field, move outwards to a larger scale area e.g a city rather than a local community or even a county rather than a city. Some jobs are unique or so rare that you may be required to search nationally or even internationally to find them. If you are required to travel nationally or internationally, make sure you are able to.

When you start work it is important to be aware of the different rates of pay you may be entitled to.

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is a minimum amount per hour that most workers in the UK are entitled to be paid.

Current NMW rates

There is a Pay and Work Rights Helpline for help and advice on minimum wage: contact 0800 917 2368.

Most workers in the UK over school leaving age are legally entitled to be paid at least the NMW and all employers have to pay it to you if you are entitled to it. It makes no difference:

• - if you are paid weekly or monthly, by cheque, in cash or in another way
• - if you work full time, part time or any other working pattern
• - if you work at your employer’s own premises or elsewhere
• - what size your employer is
• - where you work in the UK

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

Once you have secured your interview, it is very important to prepare. Mock interviews can be provided by our Careers team; just drop into the Sixth Form office to request one.

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.

What are Apprenticeships?

As employees, apprentices earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills. Off the job, usually on a day-release basis, apprentices receive training to work towards nationally recognised qualifications. Anyone living in England, over 16 years-old and not in full-time education can apply. Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of Apprenticeship, the apprentices’ ability and the industry sector. The minimum salary is £3.70 per hour; however, many apprentices earn significantly more.

Who are they for?

Apprenticeships are open to all age groups above 16 years-old whether you are just leaving school, have been working for years or are seeking to start a new career. There may be different entry requirements depending on the Apprenticeship and the industry sector. However competition for places with employers can be fierce, so you will need to show that you are committed, and aware of your responsibilities to both yourself and the company who would employ you. You also need to be happy to work as both part of a team and individually, and be able to use your own initiative.

For some jobs a university degree is the only pathway e.g. vet, doctor, architect, etc. and there is no apprenticeship pathway.

Training

Apprenticeships are designed with the help of the employers in the industry, so they offer a structured programme that take you through the skills you need to do a job well. There are targets and checks to make sure that your employer is supporting you and you are making progress. As an employee you will be in employment for most of your time as most training takes place on the job. The rest usually takes place at a local college or a specialist training organisation. You can complete this off-the-job training on day release or over a number of days in a block. The amount of time you spend varies according to your Apprenticeship. It could be anything from one day every other fortnight to two days every week. So all the things you study will be useful in your job and help you succeed in your future career. Your employment will be for at least 30 hours per week. There may be a small number of circumstances where the learner cannot complete the full 30 hours. In these cases employment will be for more than 16 hours per week.

Job Offer + Training Offer = Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships combine employment with work based qualifications such as an NVQs which are assessed by carrying out tasks in the work place.

Commonly asked Questions and Answers

• Will I get holidays? Annual leave is accrued over service.
• Are there any entry requirements? There are different entry grades for different occupations. Some employers may ask for GCSEs at C grade or higher including Maths and English, but you do not need formal qualifications.
• When should I apply? Applications take place between November and April/May each year.
• Will I be employed? Most are ‘employed status’.
• How do I apply? Online application, paper based form, approaching employers directly.
• Do I have to go for an interview/assessment test? You will be asked to attend an interview with the employer & training provider, while some occupational areas will set an assessment test e.g. electrical installation.

Advanced Apprenticeships offer work-based experience alongside training at Level 3

Completing an Advanced Apprenticeship is the equivalent to gaining two A-level passes

Higher Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships are the next step up, leading to a Level 4 (or above) qualification; in-between A level and Degree level.

Degree Apprenticeships

Degree level Apprenticeships are essentially a full time job, alongside completing a Degree in your spare time. There will be a few days at university, but most of your time will be spent on the job in training. Your Degree work will therefore need to be completed in addition to a full time job, in your spare time. A lot of hard work is required, however the benefits are huge: not only will you be getting a good wage for the apprenticeship, the employer will also fund your degree. No student loans, no debt and a good salary.

What level should I be working at?

It is ok to start at a lower level. Some companies will want you to start lower and work your way up, especially if you have no experience of the industry. This is normal and it may be you can complete this quicker. It is important to keep your aspirations high. Apprenticeships are a great option for everyone, and more than ever, the highest achieving students are taking an apprenticeship route, securing Higher and Degree level apprenticeships at some of the top employers in the country.

Apprenticeship vacancies for the summer after you finish your qualifications are advertised throughout the year and the closing dates can vary. You need to regularly check on the National Apprenticeship Website: www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship or you can search hwww.future-talent.com.

You can also search for Degree Apprenticeships at: www.ucas.com/alternatives

• Search out local employers you could apply to
• Talk to friends and family
• Use the Internet
• Look at LMI information and the local companies in need of employees
• Follow up contacts made on work experience.
• Read the local papers, job section and classified ads for trades.
• Speak to the school’s Careers Adviser
• Check your school emails for opportunities and open days

Apply to Training Providers who have lots of apprenticeship opportunities, such as Performance through People, Rathbone Training and Juniper. These providers can offer you training but you may still need to find an employer to complete the work place assessments required. They can help with this.

Approaching Employers Directly:

First impressions count, make sure they are positive ones.  You will need to be proactive to make contact with employers. You could:

• Send a Letter and CV
• Ring them up
• Turn up in Person and leave a CV
• Attend Careers fairs/recruitment fairs
• Be keen, flexible, polite and presentable.

Apprenticeship Facts - UCAS

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.

STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

STEM subjects are integral to the UK’s success: the UK is the world’s sixth-largest manufacturer, engineering turnover is around £800 billion per year, and whilst the UK makes up only 1% of the world’s population, we produce 10% of the world’s top scientific research. Despite this, it is remarkable to note that even though STEM graduates have the potential to earn amongst the highest salaries of all new recruits, employers are finding it difficult to recruit STEM skilled staff . Alongside our need for a skilled STEM workforce, it is crucial that all young people, regardless of their future career pathway, have the STEM knowledge and skills they need to be an informed citizen in an increasingly scientific and technological society.

There is now a greater need for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) concepts to integrate with the arts (STEAM) across the wider curriculum.  Businesses need employees to have multiple areas of expertise or at least appreciate how a range of skills fit together.

If you are interested in a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics then you must use this website. The Future Morph website is designed to show you just some of the amazing and unexpected places that studying science, technology, engineering and maths can take you. Think of this as your base camp, your launch pad, the door is open come on in and explore.

www.futuremorph.org

Dos and Dont’s for using LMI

• www.targetcareers.co.uk/careers-advice/

Statistics

• www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket
• www.nomisweb.co.uk/

• LMI by Region
• Opportunities in Finance
• Opportunities in Food & Accommodation
• Opportunities in Manufacturing & Engineering
• Opportunities in Retail
• Opportunities in Transport & Logistics
• Profile - Aldridge
• Profile - Streetly
• Profile - Walsall
• Sector Profile - Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering
• Sector Profile - Business & Professional Services
• Sector Profile - Construction
• Sector Profile - Digital
• Spotlight - Advanced Manufacturing in Walsall
• Spotlight - Retail