Careers Guidance at Crookhorn College: Your Future, Your Choices

What Is Careers Guidance?

Careers guidance at college is all about helping you explore your interests, skills, and the many different jobs out there. It gives you information, advice and support, so you can make choices that are right for your future and the next step after College.

How Does It Help You?

Knowledge: You will learn about a variety of jobs, what they involve, and the qualifications you might need. Understanding these options early gives you more time to think about what you enjoy and what you might like to do in the future.

Experiences: You will get the chance to meet employers and employees from different professions as well as colleges, universities and providers offering apprenticeship training, attend talks, and attend work experience days. These opportunities let you see what different jobs are really like and the different pathways you can take after Crookhorn.

Careers Events: The College organises options fairs, workshops, and talks. These events help you discover new careers you might not have heard of and give you a chance to ask questions.

Careers in the Curriculum: You will find links to real-world jobs in your lessons. For example, maths might show you how architects use numbers, or English could highlight careers in journalism or publishing.

How is it delivered?

The summary of our careers programme shows you the type of activities that we organise. These include talks and events with employers, education and training providers and universities. In addition, we have careers advisers from Hampshire Futures in College, to deliver personal (career) guidance meetings.

What is Labour Market Information (LMI)?

LMI tells you:

• What jobs are growing or declining.
• What skills are in demand.
• How much different jobs pay.
• What opportunities exist locally and nationally.

Example: If you are interested in technology, LMI might show that jobs in cybersecurity and AI are growing fast and offer great career prospects.

You will use LMI in lessons, Unifrog, and careers events to help you make informed choices.

Using Unifrog

Unifrog is your careers platform. You can access Unifrog at college and at home:

• Explore careers linked to your subjects
• Record your skills and experiences
• Research colleges, apprenticeships, and universities
• Build your CV and personal statement
• Track your goals and progress
• Where can curriculum subjects lead?

An easy-to-use search facility by school subject is available on Unifrog (for which the College has a licence) with connected career profiles, useful videos, guides and other helpful links. Students can easily search for career profiles via Unifrog (through its Careers Library) and then create their own shortlists of profiles that interest them the most.

Making Informed Decisions

By learning about the world of work and getting involved in career activities, you can make better choices about your GCSE subjects, further study, and what you might like to do after leaving college. The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel about your next steps. The important thing is to stay curious, ask questions, and make the most of the guidance and activities available to you.

Useful Tools and Websites

Unifrog: This is an online platform you’ll use in college and can use at home to research careers, find out about different qualifications, find online courses and virtual work experience and write a CV. It is a great way to explore your interests and options all in one place.

Visit the Hampshire Futures Careers Website for information and advice on exploring all of your options in detail.

You are expected to stay in some form of learning after Year 11, for years 12 and 13. This could be a sixth form or college, or in an apprenticeship. You could also gain employment or volunteer (20 hours or more a week) and should have part-time education or training. For more information, please check the government website: www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school.

Further Education: There are a wide range of post-16 academic and vocational courses available at all different levels at sixth forms and colleges. Check the websites for the sixth forms and colleges you are interested in and attend their open evenings to gain further insight into course content, course delivery, and entry requirements. 

When you apply to college or sixth form you may need some support with costs such as transport and equipment for your course. The college may have a discretionary fund, and you may be able to apply for some support. Speak to the college about this to see if you are eligible.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are available from Foundation Level 2 (GCSE level) and provide paid employment and training from a training provider or college, alongside study to gain appropriate qualifications. To find out more and search for vacancies, visit Amazing Apprenticeships. For an overview of how to become an apprentice, visit Become an apprentice. To register and search for apprenticeships, visit GOV.UK: Find an apprenticeship

Higher Education

This is further study, where you will generally need Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A levels); please check entry requirements for further details. It is usually at university but could also be at a specialist Higher Education Institution (HEI) or in some further education colleges. Visit UCAS for further information.

Volunteering

You can get involved with a wide range of interesting voluntary work which can help with your self-confidence, adding to your CV and future job applications. Visit Get volunteering for opportunities.

Careers Quizzes: You can try these career quizzes to help identify careers you may be interested in; it’s good to have an alternative option and a back-up plan.

Careerpilot there are a variety of quizzes on this page to suit your needs and available time.

The Buzz Quiz in particular, is a super quick quiz to identify what animal may best reflect your personality and where others with this personality type have found roles.

SACU Free Careers Quiz There are no wrong answers, and you will have your very own personalised career clouds in around 5 minutes.

National Careers Service a more detailed quiz focused on career areas and skills (10+ minutes).

Work Experience

You can gain online work experience in your own time. This does not replace actual work experience, but may help you to gain an understanding of the industries/careers you are interested in, and it will help you to build up your CV. Gain Virtual Work Experience. Earn certificates – 100% free! | Springpod

Where is the Careers office at College?

The Careers Office is opposite the Sports Hall. Mrs. Martin can help you with any career questions, e.g. college courses. GCSE subjects, applications, CVs, apprenticeships etc.

Mrs. Saunders can help you with work experience.