Parent / Carer Area

Welcome to the Parent / Carer Area of the Careers Hub.

In the below video presentation, David Sellars, Callywith's Destinations Lead Teacher, explains the post-18 options open to young people, including higher education, apprenticeships, gap years and jobs. He provides information on each one, including recent developments. In addition, David also explains different ways young people can identify a future job role or roles that match their interests and strengths. Throughout the presentation, he describes the careers support that is available to students during their time at Callywith.

Parents & Carers Careers Presentation Slides (with links)


>

The world is changing, new technologies, a changing climate, and new ways of thinking about how the world of business and jobs work are creating new career areas. Emerging technologies could become major sources of employment in the future.

For a long time, the concept of a ‘job for life’ was the norm. This is no longer the case. A person leaving education now could have 12 or more careers.

Those jobs may be in one occupational sector, such as construction, engineering, creative and digital or health and social care but it is increasingly likely that people will move between sectors during their working lives. This makes it increasingly important that you develop  TRANSFERABLE SKILLS such as: listening, communication, team-working, meeting deadlines, analysis, and organisation.

“80.75% OF STUDENTS SAY THEIR PARENTS HELP THEM TO MAKE KEY CAREERS DECISIONS”

During your young person's time at Callywith, we will work hard to identify and evaluate post-18 career pathways. Our aim is to help them make ‘rational, informed career decisions’. Two pathways they should research and consider are:

  • Going onto higher education
  • Starting an apprenticeship

Higher Education

There are over 150 universities in the UK and many further education colleges and other educational institutions also offer degree courses. They offer over 50,000 different courses. The majority of courses are for three years, but there a wide range of four-year courses that include a year on a placement in a business or public sector organisation in the UK or abroad.

Take a look at our useful links section below for lots more higher education information and advice.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships have been around for a very long time, however, they have experienced significant changes and developments in recent years. The Government introduced an ‘Apprenticeship Levy’ in 2017. The levy is “paid by large employers with a pay bill of over £3 million (they pay 0.5% of their total annual pay bill).” The levy can only be spent on providing apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships are no longer just in a narrow range of job roles. In fact, it is possible to complete an apprenticeship for all jobs, except to become a doctor, dentist or vet.  Currently there are 739 apprenticeship standards for different job roles in the UK.

Apprenticeships have been traditionally offered at Level 2, but in recent years many more are available at higher levels, including Degree Level (6 and 7). The UCAS website has information on the wide range of degree apprenticeships being offered by businesses and organisations in the UK.

Take a look at our useful links section below for lots more apprenticeship information and advice.

Supporting your child

You can support your young person to develop a career pathway in a number of ways, including: 

  • Encouraging them to use the website links below (these are also in the student area.)
  • Helping them understand the importance of identifying labour market developments (very relevant in 2020!) More information on this can be found below.
  • Encouraging them to research possible businesses and organisations to approach to request a work experience placement that will enable them to find out more about a career of interest to them.
  • Helping them decide which pathway (apprenticeship or higher education) would be most appropriate for them, given their interests and strengths.
  • Encouraging and supporting them to produce a high-quality CV.
  • Helping them to use the UCAS and other relevant websites (see links below) to research courses and universities.
  • Accompanying them to a university open day or days.

Careers Learner Journey

The Careers Learning Journey with Callywith College sets out the key careers interactions students will experience during their time at the College.

Which job sector?

If your young person is unsure on which career path to follow, they can use our career pathways help tool which takes them through possible careers by job sector.

Many of the careers listed also show study routes, so students can see what knowledge and qualifications they'll need to succeed.

Useful links