Skills Development Scotland Leaving School - What are my options? Alison Rennie Careers Adviser.
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Transcript of Skills Development Scotland Leaving School - What are my options? Alison Rennie Careers Adviser.
Skills Development Scotland
Options
Go to College
Go to University
Get a Job
Modern Apprenticeship
Get Ready for Work
Volunteer
Take a Gap Year
Skills Development Scotland
Going to College
• 3 local colleges – Ayr, Kilmarnock, James Watt (Kilwinning)
• Wide range of courses related to work areas such as Art & Design, Computing, Construction, Engineering, Hairdressing
• NC - HNC - HND - Degree
• Continue with general education (Intermediate 1/2, Highers)
• Different environment/more self discipline (not the “Easy” option)
• Limited places so apply as early as you can Jan – Mar of the year of entry.
• Sometimes January start courses – BUT not always available.
• Get a prospectus and research courses!
Skills Development Scotland
Going to University• Degree / Hon Degree / Dip HE….Sandwich degree, etc.
• How do I find out about courses?
• Prospectuses…Higher Education Convention.
www.ucas.com
www.planitplus.net
www.prospects.ac.uk
• Attend open days….check on www.opendays.com
or university websites
• Choosing a course…
• Degree for a particular job e.g. radiography, occupational therapy, primary teaching
• Studying a subject you really want to study….exact
job later
Skills Development Scotland
Going to University• What qualifications do you need to get in?
• You will normally need:
• Three Highers for entry into a degree (but for some courses five Highers are essential)
• “Going Rates” for entry
• Check for specific subject requirements
• Some courses need much more than the minimum
• e.g. Veterinary Medicine
• Work experience/work shadowing
Skills Development Scotland
Going to University• Important Points to Consider
• UCAS Deadlines- for most courses -15th January 2013
• Exceptions:- Medicine, Vet Medicine and Dentistry; Oxford/Cambridge-15th October 2012
• Music Colleges/Conservatoires- 1st October 2012
• Admissions Tests-UKCAT/LNAT
• Personal Statement- chance to impress admissions tutors for your course
Skills Development Scotland
Getting a Job
Limited opportunities – many jobs require qualifications or experience you won’t have straight from school.
Many jobs are part-time.
Vacancies are advertised in Ayrshire Post, Jobcentreplus (www.direct.gov.uk) and other job websites e.g. www.S1jobs.com.
Use your network to find work – family, friends, other contacts.
Create a CV / covering letter and send to employers (Yellow pages – www.yell.com).
Try to get a job with training!
Skills Development Scotland
Getting a Modern Apprenticeship• Working towards nationally recognised qualifications.
Study at college or in-house training – working towards SVQ levels 2 / 3 (up to HNC level).
• Gaining experience of the workplace – grow in confidence.
• Taking on board study and work at the same time – you need to be committed.
• Some companies advertise in local press (Ayrshire Post) otherwise check individual company websites.
• Useful websites:
– www.apprenticeshipsinscotland.com
– www.mappit.co.uk
– www.sds.co.uk
• Entry requirements vary – usually at least a set of Standard Grades at 4 or above including English & Maths or even some Highers.
“Earn while you
Learn”
Skills Development Scotland
Get Ready for WorkAims to give young people essential skills and the confidence to find & cope with work.
£55 per week allowance/travel expenses over £3.
Helps 16-18 yr olds plug any basic skills gaps so they can enter the labour market and find employment.
GRfW can help to build self-confidence and motivation.
Try out “work tasters” through work placements – this helps you decide on the job that’s best for you.
Training is tailored to meet individual needs.
Skills Development Scotland
VolunteeringHow do I volunteer?
• How much time do you want to devote - a few hours per week / full-time for a period of months?
• There are likely to be local organisations looking for volunteers – e.g.
– Charities
– Community groups/projects
– Environmental agencies
– Specialist interest groups
– You may see adverts or articles in newspapers or directories.
– www.projectscotland.co.uk
– Volunteer Centre – 60 Kyle St, Ayr
Skills Development Scotland
Volunteering
Why should I volunteer?
• Realise your potential
• Build up experience / develop skills / confidence / make friends / contacts
• Add to your CV
• Sense of giving something back
Skills Development Scotland
Volunteering
• What could I do as a volunteer?
• A wide range of different things (may be age restrictions for some activities):
– clean up the local river
– befriend people who are isolated
– help a charity with fundraising
– work in a community advice project
– help out on a summer play scheme
– work at home or abroad on conservation projects
Skills Development Scotland
Taking a Gap YearWhat is it?
Many students take a year off before entering full-time Higher Education.
Some take a year off after their courses and increasing numbers of older adults are taking time out of their established career with the support of their employers.
A year out can be spent in different ways:
– voluntary service - paid or unpaid – work camps - UK or abroad – summer (and winter) jobs – UK or abroad– adventure holidays– temporary, short-term or long-term jobs – study courses – UK or abroad – au pair work – travel / expeditions / working holidays
Skills Development Scotland
Taking a Gap YearSuitable for you?
• Depends on the type of person you are.
• If time out is before a course of study, contact institutions early to find out their view.
• They are more likely to encourage you if you have good plans for the use of your time.
• Most colleges and universities may accept you for a course, but defer entry for a year, allowing you to make sure of your place before taking your year out.
Skills Development Scotland
Taking Control• Time to take responsibility for your future!
• The secret to success is - RESEARCHRESEARCHRESEARCH
• Don’t bury your head in the sand!It won’t go away!
• Who can help?– Family / friends– Guidance teacher / Subject teacher– College / University staff– Careers Adviser – ME – Contact Card
Skills Development Scotland
Taking Control
Online Resources
• SDS -- www.myworldofwork.co.uk
– Careers A to Z can help you to understand careers and whether they will suit you. Job profiles and video clips.
• Planitplus – www.planitplus.net
– “Careerometer” - an interest guide which will suggest possible career matches.
– “Careers and Courses” – Job profiles and courses at college / university.