careers world north west spring 2014

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NORTH WEST edion SPRING 2014 m “We are pioneering a new approach to teaching entrepreneurship by focusing on ‘learning by doing’” PETER JONES CBE What do they mean for you? GCSE MATHS & ENGLISH REFORMS Get yours right first time! CV BUILDER AFFILIATE MEMBER ALSO IN THIS ISSUE PLUS: OUR EXPERT PANEL ANSWER MORE OF YOUR KEY QUESTIONS & WE PREVIEW NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2014

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Featuring: Peter Jones interview, CV Builder, GCSE Maths & English Reforms, Expert Panel & loads more 14-19 careers and training info

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  • NORTH WEST editi on SPRING 2014

    m

    We are pioneering a new approach to teaching entrepreneurship by focusing on learning by doing

    PETER JONES CBE

    What do they mean for you?

    GCSE MATHS &ENGLISH REFORMS

    Get yours right rst time!

    CV BUILDER

    AFFILIATE MEMBER

    ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

    PLUS: OUR EXPERT PANEL ANSWER MOREOF YOUR KEY QUESTIONS & WE PREVIEW NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2014

  • 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 e ort 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 2014.

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

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

    Advertising | [email protected] | [email protected]

    ISSN: 2050-6589

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    Welcome to Careers World Magazine, the premier resource for careers information and guidance.

    During the spring term many of you will have time between winter and summer exams to think about what happens next after school or college. Thats where we come in!

    In every issue we help you discover more about the most popular career sectors, as well as asking experts and successful young people for their tips and advice for the future. In this edition we pitch our questions to the Dragon himself, Peter Jones, and well see how hes investing in the future of potential entrepreneurs.

    Nows the time to get to grips with your future and focus on nding the career thats right for you. 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 issues.

    Theres never been a better time to be an apprentice. Find out why with our Apprenticeships feature.

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

    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 o er you!

    And now for something completely di erent...

    Elliot Gardner, EditorEngineering

    Business & Customer Service

    Creative, Media & The Arts

    Construction

    Travel & Hospitality

    04Entrepreneur and Dragons Den star Peter Jones shares the secrets of his success.

  • 4 www.careersworld.co.uk

    School grades, so how did you do then?Academic success wasnt a focus for me because I was more interested in enterprise and making money. I wasnt the biggest fan of my primary school in Windsor and so bunked o at every opportunity to sit in the big chair in my fathers o ce and dream about running a big company one day, even though it often got me into trouble.

    I liked my secondary school, Windsor Boys, but was still fascinated by those around me who showed enterprising qualities. An English teacher was the only teacher at school to have a top-of-the-range Porsche and I loved nding out how he did it.

    Your website mentions running a tennis schools as the start of your entrepreneurial journey. What else inspired you? My parents hugely inspired me when I was growing up. My father was an expert in air conditioning and worked particularly hard. He motivated me to strive harder and reach the top.

    However, I have also been inspired in ways that havent brought me success. Impressed by the movie Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise, I opened a cocktail bar in Windsor which didnt do very well and just cost me money. This episode demonstrated the importance of judgement when pursuing any idea.

    Do you think you need a speci c mind-set to become an entrepreneur?There are de nitely particular traits which are more common in entrepreneurs, such as grit, perseverance and determination.

    However, I fundamentally believe that entrepreneurialism can be taught and that entrepreneurs are not born, they are made. In 2005 I established my own charity in order to help young people have brighter futures, and in 2008 I set up the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, which is working to put enterprise at the heart of education in the UK.

    The key to the Academy network is instilling a can attitude in our future leaders and giving our young people the con dence they need to ful l their dreams. Putting students in front of people who have been there and done it allows them to see how attainable entrepreneurship can be.

    We keep hearing the phrase business acumen, but what does this mean to you?Business acumen is all about being able to make good judgements and quick decisions, which ultimately results in e ective business decisions.

    This skill is de nitely not limited by age. My 11 year old daughter, Natalia, always has an opinion about those businesses that I have been given

    the opportunity to invest in. And nine times out of ten, she is completely right!

    Do you think there are more pros than cons to being your own boss?Absolutely. Otherwise I would have backed out of this game a long time ago. Being an entrepreneur requires huge commitment and a lot of hard work, but the rewards are completely worth it.

    It is a challenge but you learn to follow your instincts and begin to really value advice from those who have been there before you.

    Describe your ideal business partnerFinding your ideal business partner often happens organically, where you have complimentary skills and talents, but mine is extremely hard working and determined. Plus, they must be visionary and be able to lead by example.

    Trust is also incredibly important. They must have faith in my choices and abilities, my team and the potential of a business venture.

    What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a TV personality?One of the great bene ts of being famous is being able to get exclusive access to other like-minded entrepreneurs and senior executives, many of whom have some fantastic and interesting ideas. I dont see any disadvantages to that.

    Peter Jones is a world-famous entrepreneur and star of the hit TV programme, Dragons Den. Peter is from Berkshire and has a long history of achievement when it comes to business. The Peter Jones Enterprise Academy has been running since 2009, taking on the challenge of making business more accessible to students across the country. Peter talks to our editor about his success, the Academy and just what it is that makes him tick.

  • 5www.careersworld.co.uk

    If you werent in business, what would be your dream career?I loved tennis and wanted to be a professional but Id still hand in the towel to be a successful entrepreneur. Being in business is the most exciting and challenging career anyone can have and Im pleased its become my chosen path. I wouldnt change it for the world.

    Your lifelong love of tennis, what sparked that o ?At age 12, I was helping a teacher at my school to teach tennis and he inspired me later, when I was 16, to set up my rst business, a tennis academy. As a child I used to play tennis at county level, and I still play regularly with ex-professionals. That was a real watershed moment in my life I think. At the time, I had the chance to improve my game with a view to becoming a professional, but there was something in me that wanted to take that talent and develop a successful business from it rather than, say, win Wimbledon.

    As a big family man, what advice do you give to your children about careers?I encourage my children to follow their hearts and to choose a path which they are really passionate about only then will they give themselves the best chance of being successful and nding true happiness. It is very important to me that my children work hard and stand on their own two feet. I have set up an arrangement to incentivise my kids to work hard through a funding platform that doubles their income every day for the rest of their lives.

    Youve had more than one IT based company, what brought that on? Are you a bit of a tech head?Yes, I love technology and have always been interested in gadgets. My second business was based around building and selling computers. Whenever gadgets are pitched in the Den, its always me who gets instantly excited.

    I always say that entrepreneurship is about being innovative and improving something that already exists. This attitude describes technology to the core, which ts perfectly with my overall business mantra. Being innovative isnt about doing something new its about doing something better than your competition.

    What is the next big thing for Peter Jones? Anything up your sleeve?I have got many projects on the go at the moment. Since taking over Jessops last year, that has been a huge focus for me and will continue to be for a while. Im hoping there will be lots of opportunities like Jessops for my investment group in 2014.

    In 2012 I founded Tycoon in Schools, a nationwide competition that spearheads my mission of putting enterprise at the heart of all education.

    Now in its second year, the competition has been even bigger and better, with over 700 students taking part this year from all over the country. I cant wait to see the achievements of this years high yers, and the inspiring young people who apply next year. We had over 3,000 apply this year, which was fantastic.

    This competition continues the work that I started with the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, where we aim to equip budding entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to start their own business, or act entrepreneurially within one. I am thrilled with the journey the Academy has taken so far, where we have about thirty Academies operating across the country, and cant wait to see it grow even more next year.

    Is there anything on Dragons Den you regret not investing in?I dont actually. No regrets. Even when I see some products that I chose not to invest in being successfully launched, I dont have regrets. With Wonderland, YUU World, Woodblocx, Alf Turner, Tiny Box, The Present Club, Bare Naked Foods, Reminiscence Pods and the one and only Levi Roots, who can possibly regret anything? The record speaks for itself!

    What is your favourite product from Dragons Den? And what was the worst?All of them are my favourite! Not fair to choose one.

    And my worst, Layline Beds. Its basically a sheet with a stitched line down the middle to tell husband and wife that this is my space and this is your space. It is ridiculous. That, or the American Inventor guy who said that spinning bicycle hub cabs will be the next craze. Only in America!

    If you were to go into the den as a new entrepreneur, what would your pitch be? And how would you stand out?If I said I could turn 50,000 into 1million would you invest? I would then make sure my idea was good enough to capture the Dragons imagination and get them interested. I would end with Are you in?

    I would stand out by wearing a smart, sharp suit and wear the most outrageous stripy socks I could nd!

    If I were 15/16 and wanted to be an entrepreneur, what would you say to me?I would encourage you to have a vision and then make that vision bigger, because the bigger your vision the more successful you are likely to be. Dont be swayed from your vision by anyone, and make your own decisions.

    Then make sure you do su cient research, nding out not only what your competitors are doing, but also how you can make your product or service that little bit better.

    Finally, it is important to have fun, because business is about more than making money. People will be more likely to buy your product or service if you are having fun and enjoying the business.

    However, ultimately, I would encourage you to log onto www.pjea.org.uk, to nd out everything about the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy and join our nationwide network!

    If you could do exactly what you wanted with the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, what would you do?I would ensure that every college in the country has an Academy within it and that all young people were given the chance to apply.

    I want to continue to ensure that our Academy network continues to put enterprise at the very heart of the UK education system and that the learning by doing method is widely implemented and respected, helping young people to make their dreams a reality.

    How much input did you have in setting up The Academy?A great deal. I founded The Academy back in 2008 and our rst intake of students was in 2009. My vision was to create and encourage a more entrepreneurial activity in the UK, based on a philosophy of learning by doing.

    All of our pioneering courses have been developed in conjunction with Pearson (Edexcel), as well as education and industry experts, and I had a personal hand in the writing of these quali cations. Im very proud of what we have achieved in such a short amount of time.

    How do you think careers advice should be given to students?We deliberately designed the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy to be completely di erent from the traditional academic environment.

    We are pioneering a new approach to teaching entrepreneurship by focusing on learning by doing. That means combining business theory with business practice to replicate the environment of the real business world. And ultimately, we believe thats the best way to unlock the potential of the next generation of entrepreneurs.

    The best way to learn how to succeed is to work with those who have been there and done it, and to get stuck in and give it a go yourself.

    Students receive master classes in entrepreneurship from the best in the business, where they have heard from the likes of Paul Lindley of Ellas Kitchen and David, Vanessa and Jacqueline Gold.

    What are the Academys best success stories?There are so many of these it is tricky to keep track! Each year we recognise the most outstanding student across The Academy network, where the National Entrepreneur of the Year is announced.

    Our 2012 winner, Rob Nunn is developing his business that aims to encourage people into the aviation industry.

    There is no stopping the 2013 winner, Harry Day, who is running a tailoring business and currently working on the development of it in Bangkok!

    Who is better at business, you or Alan Sugar?Alan is a great friend of mine and I think very highly of him.

    He is a big supporter of the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy and has such a wealth of experience. I think hes better because hes older and wiser!

    People love your socks. Do you have a favourite pair?My stripy ones, of course. I launched my own range of socks a few years back, where all the proceeds go to charity. Theyve been very popular.

    Duncan Bannatyne, Deborah Meaden, Theo Paphitis: Snog, Marry, Avoid?Wow, what a question! I wouldnt snog any of them. Nor would I want to be married to them. Lastly, Im not saying who Id avoid!

    Which actor would you like to play you in a lm of your life? Im guessing not Tom CruisePierce Brosnan.

  • Friday 27 JuneSaturday 28 June

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    Pre-booking is requiredVisit www.nottingham.ac.uk/opendaysor call +44 (0)115 951 5559

    In the top

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    * QS World University Rankings 2013/14.** The Graduate Market in 2013, High Fliers Research.

  • 7www.careersworld.co.uk

    Each issue, we ask our editor to give you a roundup of the topics that might a ect you, as well as the choices you need to make about your future. As you can imagine, there are plenty of things going on that tend to stay behind the scenes. Usually, youd have to trawl through pages of information to learn all this, but dont worry; weve done all that for you!

    GCSE MATHS & ENGLISH REFORM

    Ive been thinking about whether there is some golden piece of advice

    that I can o er you in your search for a career, and the number one thought that keeps cropping up in my head is simply do

    your research. Its all well and good thinking I want to go to university, but

    what course? What job do you want at the end of it

    all? There is a career path for all of us but the most di cult step is nding it.

    The majority of us dont have a job handed to us on a platter so we need to get out there and look for ourselves! If you dont know what you want to do dont hesitate, start

    looking! Get careers advice from your school or college, have a look at all the di erent kinds of

    Apprenticeships, rummage around UCAS to nd a uni course that suits you and most importantly, dont dismiss anything based

    on what someone else has told you.

    Its your career, go nd what suits you!

    Maths and English not your strong point? Just going to breeze through your GCSEs without giving it a real go? Looks like youll need to think again.

    KEY FACTS GCSEs have changed a lot this year If you dont manage a C grade in

    Maths and English, you will have to carry them on until the age of 18

    Its because employers want a good understanding of Maths and English. Almost every career has some dealing with these subjects

    You dont have to go to college to continue studying, there are many ways to re-do your GCSEs

    You wont just be retaking your exams over and over, the focus is on developing your skills

    WHATS CHANGED?You might have heard murmurs about changes to the way GCSEs are going to be carried out this year. The big di erence is that students who fail to get a minimum of grade C in GCSE Maths and English will have to carry on these subjects up until the age of 18. What this means is that thousands of pupils will have to take additional courses to get their literacy and numeracy skills up to scratch after they have left school. This might be with a college, training provider or other educational body, but whatever the route, you can be sure its going to have a big impact. In the past you could stick with the grades you received from exams no matter what they were, but the Government has said this isnt good enough anymore.

    MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

  • 8 www.careersworld.co.uk

    BUT WHY DID THEY CHANGE IT?

    Its because generally employers like a good understanding of Maths and English more than anything else learned at school. That doesnt mean you should just jack in geography; all subjects are good for something, but these are skills everyone needs in the workplace. The Government have decided the education sector needed shaking up with big changes being made to both schools and exams. Every other

    country in the developed world carries on with numeracy and literacy after the age of 16 and our Government is keen to not let the UK fall behind.

    In terms of careers, most employers ask for a minimum of grade C in English and Maths no matter the position. What do nurses, engineers, receptionists and shop workers all have in common? (No smart answers please) They all have some dealing with Maths or English; it could be working out discounts on the y or lling out contracts.

    If a pupil is leaving without this level of quali cation, they are at a massive disadvantage in the job market.

    WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

    I know that many of you will be worrying about what all this means, but it might not be as bad as you think. While the ideal situation is to pass your English and Maths GCSEs with a C, if you really struggle then dont think you are just going to be re-sitting over and over again.

    The focus is on continuous development rather than just grades. This means that you might be able to do an equivalent quali cation thats more suited to your style of learning.

    You also dont have to go to college for further education if this wasnt going to be your route after school. There will be other methods of study that you can take part in, so dont think you wont be able to start an Apprenticeship or Traineeship just because your grades werent ideal.

    WHAT ELSE IS CHANGING?Surprisingly, changes to Maths and English are not the only things new about exams. Starting this year GCSEs are changing from a modular format to becoming linear. What this means is instead of a few smaller tests at the end of each part of your course, there will be one or two big exams in May/June. You also wont be able to re-sit one particular part of your GCSE if you didnt get the grade in that module that you wanted. You have to re-take every exam in that subject.

    For example, if you did fantastically and got an A* in your calculator test in maths, but slipped up and got an E in your non-calculator one, you have to retake both if youre not willing to stick with the overall grade. Bear in mind you also wont have to retake any classroom assessments youve had (For Example timed practical tests in Art or IT).

    Theres also going to be a big focus on Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar. For subjects that you have to write a lot, i.e.

    English, Geography, History and R.E, there will be quite a hefty amount of marks geared speci cally towards them. So make sure youre not telling examiners about the lives of Jebus and Ghundi.

    If youre in Year 10 and thinking about taking A-Levels then you have to watch out. A similar system is coming into e ect from 2015 for further education as well. No more AS and A2 exams, just one big exam period.

  • 9www.careersworld.co.uk

    Make sure you get involved over twitter, follow @Apprenticeships and check in on #NAW2014. If you are considering an Apprenticeship but cant nd one to suit you then chances are you are about to have your eyes opened. Dozens of employers post vacancies during the run up and throughout the week. Really its the best possible time to consider an Apprenticeship.

    Yes, this might sound like one big advert but if youre even considering an Apprenticeship in the slightest then the week can be a really important time of year for you, so stick it in your calendar and try to get involved with as much as possible.

    The variety in events is huge. You could attend a careers event at your local college, or an employer might be o ering work experience for the week. Its not just schools that get involved. Big businesses like British Gas see how useful it is to inspire young people to consider becoming an Apprentice. Get over to apprenticeships.org.uk to have a look whats going on in your area.

    Dont forget, its National Careers Week at the same time as Apprentice Week, but over at Careers World we believe that any week of the year can be a careers week. I mean except Christmas. Who wants to be thinking about jobs at Christmas? Thats presents time...

    THEY REALLY ARE A BIG DEALRecently there has been a study focusing on education in 30 countries. It has found that vocational education (thats education thats focused on a speci c eld of employment to you and me, e.g. Apprenticeships, BTECs, etc) is much more likely to get you a job than just a general education. Not only this, but the people on vocational courses have a better chance to wind up with a long-term position, not just a short starter job, and a much higher starting wage than young people who have just gone through a standard route of education.

    It has also been found that individuals who took part in a practical work-based course, like an Apprenticeship, were even more likely to nd a job than those who did classroom based courses like BTECs. This is because the courses are designed in partnership with the employer, meaning they know exactly what skills the students have, and can gear the course more towards relevant areas. And honestly, its much easier to keep on an Apprentice that you have already trained than nding someone new.

    Dont get worried if work-based courses arent for you. The research showed that even work experience is enough to give you an edge over other candidates, so get going and do all you can to gain as much experience as possible.

    NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEKA huge success in past years, National Apprenticeship Week, set up by the National Apprenticeship Service, is returning in 2014 and is fast approaching. Designed to celebrate and increase awareness of Apprenticeships, NAW is a great event that promotes Apprenticeships of all levels to students, employers, schools, colleges, training providers and the media. Loads of good stu goes on all across the country so youre guaranteed to nd something you can get involved with.

    This year NAW takes place on 3rd-7th March and there are over 900 events to attend across the UK (no, that isnt a challenge). Apprenticeships are becoming a big deal. Last year Prime Minister David Cameron said he wanted to make Apprenticeships, alongside university, the new norm for pupils leaving school.

    HOW WILL IT BE DONE?Youll be able to rest a bit easier knowing that the number of students who havent managed to pass before leaving sixth-form or college will be reported in that schools performance tables, meaning that it is in schools and colleges interests to provide the best possible education to encourage you to pass. Some schools in the past have entered pupils into easier quali cations so they dont have to show low grades to the public, but the new rules will put a stop to this; everyone will be educated to the same level. The funding of colleges will also be changed. Basically if they dont have great English and Mathematics departments, they wont get as much cash.

    WHO IT AFFECTSThe new rules have already come into e ect. Meaning if you are gearing up to do your GCSEs next term you might be staying on a bit longer than you thought, but only if you dont get the right grades. Of course this only matters to you if you dont pass your Maths and English exams rst time around. It can be seen as a little push to try your best in your exams, but lets be honest you should be doing that already, and you really dont want additional subjects looming over your head when youre trying to think about where you want your career to go. Post 16 study is hard enough without having to think about left-over GCSEs as well!

    The change goes hand-in-hand with the Raised Participation Age of education (discussed in the previous issue of Careers World) which means school-leavers are required to stay in some form of education until they are 17, which is soon to be extended to 18.

    FINAL THOUGHTSWhile this new system may seem unfair to a lot of you, it really does make sense. If you could see the amount of job listings out there that say must have English and Maths GCSE Grade C or equivalent your collective jaws would drop. Its not just courses and careers where youre required to write or add up; employers like to know that if they hand you any task that crops up, youll be able to handle it.

    The most important thing to take away from it is that even if the work is that bit tougher now, in the long run it will be good for you. Youll be able to apply for tonnes more jobs and the satisfaction youll get from knowing that you passed is worth all the extra e ort.

  • 0124 Careers World Advert 2013 Cadets+Apprentices_AW3_QRcodes.indd 6 04/12/2013 14:52

  • 11www.careersworld.co.uk

    Section Heading

    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.

    Laing ORourke is a globally diverse engineering enterprise. We fund, design, manufacture, construct and maintain the built environment providing the facilities to accommodate, educate, employ, transport, care for and sustain communities.

    Web: www.laingorourke.com

    CAREERS AND EDUCATION CHOICES CAN BE SCARY! HOW SHOULD APPLICANTS MAKE THEIR DECISION?

    There are a great deal of career choices available to you, therefore its important that applicants research as much as possible. Speak to people who are already in the industry that you are considering, read as much as you can and think about what motivates you.

    Construction is an exciting and ever changing industry that o ers a huge variety of job opportunities, including traditional trade Apprenticeships and sponsored learning programmes.

    WHAT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT CAN SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS EXPECT WITH YOU?

    When you join Laing ORourke you will be fully supported through your learning. Successful applicants will receive expert training from both our vastly experienced trades-people on site, and through a huge network of UK colleges. Our Apprenticeship programme also includes a number of personal development modules delivered over four years which are aimed at broadening your learning experience beyond your trade.

    WHAT SUPPORT DO YOU OFFER SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS?

    A dedicated programme manager will work closely with the project teams, apprentice mentors and training providers to make sure the apprentices are supported and on track to meet all their initial goals and to assist in their development within the business.

    WHY SHOULD CANDIDATES PICK YOU?We work hard to create an environment that brings out the best in our people. So as a Laing ORourke employee you can be sure your career is in good hands. Our Apprenticeship programme is designed to give our apprentices the best possible start to their career in construction, creating a solid foundation that could take them to great heights.

    The Employer

  • 12 www.careersworld.co.uk

    Lisa OLoughlin is Vice Principal for HE and Adult at The Manchester College. The College has campuses across the city o ering a range of higher education courses including Foundation degrees, HNDs and HNCs.

    Web: www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk

    CAREERS AND EDUCATION CHOICES CAN BE SCARY! HOW SHOULD APPLICANTS MAKE THEIR DECISION?

    Education has a huge impact on peoples lives and choosing the right subject is key. Think about what you enjoy doing. Make sure you give the decision plenty of thought and research thoroughly. The chances are you will feel more con dent, and more likely to do well in, something you enjoy.

    WHAT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT CAN SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS EXPECT WITH YOU?

    Whichever path you choose, we believe in giving you a learning experience to prepare

    The College

    The University of Liverpool is the original Redbrick university, a Russell Group institution o ering research-led teaching within a culture of innovation and ambition.

    Web: liv.ac.uk

    CAREERS AND EDUCATION CHOICES CAN BE SCARY! HOW SHOULD APPLICANTS MAKE THEIR DECISION?

    Identify your strengths and weaknesses, be honest with yourself and seek the opinions of those who know you best. Determine your skills and qualities and how could use them in a speci c career/subject area. Choose a subject you enjoy by making sure you research on www.ucas.com. After all, you will spend at least three years studying it! Remember, not all courses with the same title will be taught in the same way so look closely at course content on university websites. Most importantly, START EARLY dont leave everything to the last minute and nd yourself rushed into making a decision that could impact on the rest of your life.

    The University

    ProCo is a forward-looking training organisation o ering a wide range of learning opportunities to individual learners and businesses. The provision available includes Government funded programmes including Young Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships, Advanced Apprenticeships, Foundation Learning and Work Placed Learning.Web: www.proconw.co.uk

    CAREERS AND EDUCATION CHOICES CAN BE SCARY! HOW SHOULD APPLICANTS MAKE THEIR DECISION?

    It is a scary time when it comes to career and education choices. On leaving school, many young people are bored by the idea of moving on to do full time further education, and are keen to become independent, enter the world of work and start earning. But doing any job will involve learning; employers want people with the knowledge and experience.

    Apprenticeships give you the quali cations and experience to help you succeed in the world of word. Basically if you know what you want to do, an Apprenticeship will help you make a professional start in your chosen career. An Apprenticeship is true investment for your future.

    The Training Provider

  • 13www.careersworld.co.uk

    you for the world of work. Our facilities are some of the best in the country - exciting campus buildings, industry standard training restaurants and hair & beauty salons, high tech recording studios, media suites and great live performance venues, tness suites, and sports facilities.

    Our experienced teaching sta are industry professionals who will help you learn the relevant skills for your chosen industry.

    In the latest National Student Survey our undergraduates gave us the thumbs up, with their experience at the college being above the national average.

    WHAT SUPPORT DO YOU OFFER SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS?

    Our fantastic teaching and support sta are fully quali ed to provide you with the advice and guidance you need to get you on the right track and help you think about things you may not have otherwise considered. We have small class sizes so that we can o er each and every student a personal level of support.

    We o er a university education that is a ordable for all, with some of the lowest tuition fees in the country.

    WHY SHOULD CANDIDATES PICK YOU?We believe that the expertise and dedication of our sta , the quality of facilities and equipment, and the support we provide our students are second to none. We aim to give you the con dence and quali cations to be who you want to be.

    Whatever you want to do, whoever you want to be, The Manchester College can make it happen.

    WHAT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT CAN SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS EXPECT WITH YOU?

    A university is an academic environment and the University of Liverpool is no di erent. We o er courses in over 150 subject areas and provide a high quality, engaging learning experience encompassing lectures, seminars, practical classes, oral presentations, and tutorial sessions. Your day-to-day will vary on what subject you choose.

    WHAT SUPPORT DO YOU OFFER SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS?

    We have an award winning Careers &

    Employability Service and Liverpool is one of the top 25 most targeted universities by leading graduate recruiters (High Fliers Research, 2013).

    Your time at University is an excellent opportunity to develop your CV beyond your studies, opportunities include learning an additional language, enhancing computer skills, volunteering and developing leadership skills.

    WHY SHOULD CANDIDATES PICK YOU?We o er a dynamic, international and vibrant research-led academic environment associated with eight Nobel Laureates. You will be taught by academics at the forefront of their elds, responsible for world leading research.

    We constantly invest in the future. Our 660 million campus investment programme includes award winning facilities such as our Central Teaching Hub (Best Facilities at the Guardian University Awards) and our superb Vine Court eco-residences.

    All this is against the backdrop of our wonderful vibrant city - rich in culture and heritage. A city where people feel immediately at home, with more galleries and museums than any other city outside London. With almost 22,000 students on campus from over 150 countries we are truly a student city within a city!

    WHAT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT CAN SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS EXPECT WITH YOU?

    In order to complete the Apprenticeship programme, each learner must successfully achieve a framework. Apprenticeships can be done in a wide range of occupational areas.

    The framework is an integrated programme of learning that combines practical work experience with appropriate training arranged by a learning provider, like ProCo.NW Ltd. Apprenticeships will o er a range on learning opportunities, both on-job and o -job.

    The framework is a nationally recognised group of vocational quali cations that includes NVQs (usually o ered at Levels

    2 or 3); Technical Certi cates, which cover the under-pinning knowledge and understanding of the quali cation; Functional skills, as required by the speci c framework; development of Personal Thinking and Learning Skills (PTLS); and basic understanding of Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR)

    WHAT SUPPORT DO YOU OFFER SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS?

    ProCo NW Ltd work closely in partnership with employers to help all apprentices achieve their learning aims and goals. Apprentices will be supported and guided throughout their quali cation by highly quali ed sta . All employers are expected to develop and support the learners and give

    them as much experience as necessary in their organisation to be competent in all of the NVQs mandatory and optional units.

    WHY SHOULD CANDIDATES PICK YOU?We are a local central based training provider that has a wealth of experience in supporting young people learn while they earn. We o er real jobs in industry that will give you the experience you need with an Apprenticeship of choice.

  • FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND

    TWITTER

    www.makeit.org.uk/aerospace

    Deciding what to do after college or university can be a daunting experience, and choosing which career path to take is often a difficult decision. North West England is home to hundreds of aerospace companies, many of which offer apprenticeships or graduate schemes in a variety of roles from project management to finance to engineering. So if the wish list for your ideal job includes above average pay, excellent training opportunities and global travel; a career in aerospace could be for you! Check out the Take Off in Aerospace web pages for video case studies, day in the life profiles, careers information and where to find your local aerospace companies.

    Apprentices can get paid up to 210 per week

    Where do I go next?

    Untitled-1 1 3/11/2013 2:27:42 PM

  • 15www.careersworld.co.uk 15www.careersworld.co.uk

    We like to keep you up to date with the latest goings-on of your local institutions, as well as providing you with case studies and stories from people who have been in your position and seen the light at the end of the tunnel; this is their forum for connecting with you.

    Creative AcademyCreative Academy o ers 18-23 year olds the chance to study for a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care. The programme combines intensive structured learning with practical experience to develop essential skills for a successful future in a rewarding job role.

    We spoke to Sarah, one of our current apprentices, who said:

    My college tutor encouraged me to apply for a place on the Creative Academy Apprenticeship programme because she knew that the organisation has an excellent reputation and she thought Id be the right person for the job. I enjoy working with my new colleagues; the atmosphere is very upbeat, and the service users I support have great

    personalities. My advice to anyone whos thinking of applying would be not to hesitate! Im already looking forward to a successful career with Creative Support when I nish my Diploma quali cation.

    Creative Academy manager Ray Corry added:

    Creative Academy is the training department of Creative Support, a nationwide social care provider with over twenty years experience of improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, mental health issues and other support needs. We are an Investors in People Silver accredited employer. Our advanced Apprenticeship programme will equip our apprentices with the knowledge, and most importantly the values and skills, to make their career rewarding and ful lling.

    Web: www.creativesupport.co.ukTel: 0161 238 7664

    Email: [email protected]

    HayleyRickard Keen LLPAfter completing A-levels in Psychology, Human Biology, Chemistry and Maths, I chose to study with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) instead of going to university. Once I had successfully completed the AAT quali cation I decided to pursue a career as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and progressed to the ACA quali cation.

    I dont regret not going to university, as once Id decided on chartered accountancy, I started looking for jobs with training programmes and found a place on the Rickard Keen AAT-ACA Fast Track programme. Sometimes I think I would have liked to have lived the university lifestyle, but when I hear my friends comparing their

    student debt, Im glad I didnt go!

    My current role is Audit and Accounts Senior, which involves working on some of the rms largest client audits alongside the Director of Audit. Not only is it great experience, but its fun too!

    One piece of advice I would give to students looking into chartered accountancy as a career is to consider training with rms of di erent sizes. Although the salaries o ered in bigger London rms seem very appealing, the environment in a smaller rm may o er a wider range of experiences whilst training.

    To nd out more about how to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant

    visit icaew.com/careers or nd us on Facebook at facebook.com/

    icaewstartingpoint

  • 16 www.careersworld.co.uk

    Myerscough Collegeyour Number One choice!Myerscough College is one of the UKs largest land-based and sports colleges, o ering a wide range of courses across 20 subject areas. Its a popular choice for students, with a stunning parkland campus situated between Preston and Lancaster. Myerscough is the number one college in the UK for land-based student achievement rates and 2nd nationwide for student satisfaction according to the 2013 National Student Survey results. It was recently awarded an OUTSTANDING classi cation for its Agriculture and Countryside Studies provision by Ofsted.

    For students working towards their GCSEs, the College o ers a range of entry level introductory courses, right through to A-Level equivalent Level Three Diplomas, ideal for progression to university degrees. As well as the main campus at Preston, Myerscough also has additional learning centres at Croxteth Park in Liverpool, Witton Park in Blackburn and Crow Wood Equestrian Centre, Burnley.

    For students taking A-Levels, there are great opportunities to progress to Foundation and Honours Degree courses at the College. Myerscough is an Associate School of the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), one of the largest universities in the UK with around 35,000 students as well as 11 world-leading and 17 internationally excellent research areas.

    Myerscough o ers superb on-site residential accommodation for more than 700 students, with a fantastic range of social activities organised by the Colleges Students Union. For students already living in the North West, dedicated bus routes provide direct College transport from various towns and cities.

    Find out more at one of their Saturday Open Mornings held regularly throughout the year.

    Web: www.myerscough.ac.uk

    A day in the life of Jon Berrisford, BAE SystemsAs an Aircraft Fitter on the Typhoon nal assembly I have an active role in putting together one of Europes most impressive ghter jets. The parts for the Typhoon are made all over Europe, but the RAF jets end up in Warton, to be put together.

    The day begins with a start up meeting, which gives the team an opportunity to suggest ideas for making our working life easier and more e cient. The ideas can be to do with anything from reducing production times to improving health and safety.

    I grab a cup of co ee and head over to the production line, where a shipment has just arrived in from Italy. We get components from all over the world, and my role comes at the start of the nal assembly production. Today were bolting the left wing to the main body of the aircraft. It could take us a while to nish this - as you

    can imagine, piecing together specialist parts takes patience and skill to get right.

    Following lunch, Ive been called over to assist another team on the aircraft theyre producing. This happens quite a lot in my role, and I enjoy it as it gives me a chance to have a nosy at whats going on at the other end of the production line! Its also a change to the usual work I do, which gives me a chance to make use of the di erent skills I learnt during my training as well as developing new ones.

    Since joining BAE Systems he has completed a BTEC National Diploma, NVQ Level 3 in Aeronautical Engineering and a HNC in Manufacturing Engineering. He is about to take the HND in Manufacturing Engineering.

    Web: www.makeit.org/aerospaceTel: 01772 648 800

    EUROPEAN UNIONInvesting in Your FutureEuropean RegionalDevelopment Fund 2007-13

  • 17www.careersworld.co.uk

    Tobias Miller, QA Apprentice at Resolve IT SolutionsI made the best decision of my life so far when I chose to join QA Apprenticeships to train and nd myself a job in my desired sector, IT.

    After secondary school, where I gained four years of low level experience in ICT, I chose college to gain some more knowledge in IT. After almost a year studying for my A Levels, I decided that it was not right for me and realised I must move on in order to pursue a career.

    After spending some time looking for something new with no success, I was contacted by QA Apprenticeships to attend an interview and to see whether I could be a candidate for their Apprenticeship scheme. I was successful and managed to get an interview with Resolve IT Solutions, an award-winning IT company in my home city of She eld. I was again successful in getting a place as an apprentice at their company.

    When I look back to how I was before the Apprenticeship its unbelievable; I am much more mature and knowledgeable, and my ability to communicate

    with others has vastly improved, so much so that people might struggle to recognise me now!

    I would recommend an Apprenticeship in IT without hesitation because I have gained so much from it. I have made new friends and achieved industry recognised quali cations, which illustrate how much I have learnt. I have now completed my Apprenticeship and have a full-time job, which I love, at an inspiring company with such great prospects; Im really excited about the future.

    Apply now for a QA Apprenticeship in IT:Web: www.qa.com/apprenticeships

    Tel: 0845 074 7825Email: [email protected]

    OllieOllie 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 health issues. 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 member of the team from the outset. Initially he began shadowing project workers, getting to know service users and taking on his own responsibilities. All this support helped Ollie gain con dence.

    Every day is di erent for Ollie. His tasks are varied and can

    include escorting service users to medical appointments, helping them to shop and cook, or just o ering emotional support over a cup of tea.

    Ollie works with a wide selection of adults with varying needs across a range of di erent 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 it is clear to him now 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 de nitely 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.

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

  • 19www.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 become, the more you will earn!

    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.

    EngineeringYou 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

    You ask us...

    Web: www.stegta.co.uk

    THE REAL WORLDStegtaI enrolled on STEGTAs ESF NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) Programme in January 2013, an 18 week programme which would give me the chance to gain some hands on experience in a workshop by completing a Level 1 Hand Fitting Unit and also provide me with support to enhance my CV and interview technique.

    During the programme, I developed my knowledge in the basic principles of hand tting skills such as drilling, ling and sawing. I also produced some T and U pieces using mild steel, brass and aluminium. I gained vital experience and received one on one training with a STEGTA Training O cer at their training centre based in Wellacre Academy in Flixton.

    I attended a job interview at Harland Machine Systems Ltd, who were looking for an Apprentice Fitter Wireman. I presented the work I had produced as part of the course and the company o ered me a trial. Following the trial I was o ered the position and began employment in September 2013.

    I am currently working towards a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering and attend College on day release to study BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Operations and Maintenance Engineering.

  • 20 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 o shore 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..

    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.

    Engineering

  • 21www.careersworld.co.uk

    REGIONAL FOCUSThis region has a strong

    background of engineering and manufacturing. Ever

    since the industrial revolution, Manchester has been a hub for industry and remains one of the countrys hotspots for engineering and innovation, with research being carried

    out at the university. Liverpool has engineering

    links in a variety of disciplines because of its rich history of industry, with the rst

    railways, steamships, trams and electric trains all being

    pioneered in the city!

    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.

    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

    Engineering

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

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  • 23www.careersworld.co.uk

    WHATS THE BUSINESS & CUSTOMER SERVICE SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

    Its a huge sector that covers nearly every other industry out there. Everybody needs to make money to survive, from your local corner shop to the worlds largest companies. It goes hand in hand with customer service, which businesses rely on to not only attract new customers, but also keep hold of current ones. This sector covers everything from management to being an entrepreneur and starting your own business. With regards to customer service, youll nd roles in telesales, reception and more!

    WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN? It depends on your role in a business and the type of company you work for. As a money orientated sector, youll be making plenty of cash if you keep hitting targets. The average salary for starters in business is around the 15,000 mark, but dont be surprised to see this gure increase very quickly. Customer Service starts out at about 11,000, but is a career ladder thats easy to climb with the right attitude and can in some cases lead to a career in PR.

    WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?A business environment is competitive and fast paced; sales targets have to be met in order to satisfy customers and management alike. If youre ambitious and enjoy a challenge then youll revel in it and go far. Customer Service is a little di erent, as you have to act as the face of the company and therefore require a more relaxed demeanour (youll still have to be professional; dont be greeting top customers with Yo dude, hows it hanging?!).

    HOW DOES THIS SECTOR COMPARE TO OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

    This country sees over 8000 new businesses started every week; some from current companies merging, others starting up with just one sta member in their living room. Nearly a quarter of UK private enterprises are situated in the business services sector and recently new schemes have been brought in to help people aged 18-24 start up their own companies.

    WHERE IS THE WORK MOST CONCENTRATED? It probably wont surprise you to hear that the largest concentration of work in the business sector can be found in the South of England, towards the London area. However, many new start up companies are found in the North, around major cities such as Manchester and She eld. Leeds is also renowned for its business district, where the headquarters of supermarket giants Asda, hair product company GHD and video games developer Rockstar are located.

    Business &Customer ServiceBusiness is all about getting stu done. Whether its launching and selling a product or starting up a company in your kitchen, business boils down to one thing; making money. If you have good business acumen, then you wont be far from success. Every business is hinged on meeting and dealing with customers and for that youll need a good customer service ethos. A smile, a friendly demeanour and a professional but helpful attitude will help your customers feel at ease and in good hands.

    You ask us...

  • 24 www.careersworld.co.uk

    ADMINISTRATIONAdministration is the part of business that we as customers rarely see. Whenever we sign up for a contract on a phone or buy a house, that contract has to be processed, checked and led away for future reference. These arent skills to be taken lightly and the function of admin should never be underestimated. You can expect to earn between 15,000 and 20,000, with the possibility to earn more with progression.

    CUSTOMER SERVICECustomer Service is all about making customers feel like theyre in safe hands when doing business with your company. Whether its a friendly telephone demeanor or a simple smile and a handshake, a companys treatment of their clients goes a long way to doing future business. It also helps garner reputation to attract new customers that previously slipped through the net. Starting salaries are around 12,000, but progression can come quickly and with it comes a higher wage.

    HUMAN RESOURCESSomebody has to look after the employees in a company and this job falls to the human resources department. This is no easy task, especially when its a large company with hundreds of people in various job roles. Responsibilities for the HR department include hiring and recruiting, keeping employee records, dealing with complaints and providing sta training for development. Salaries start out at around 15,000, while managers can earn close to 50,000 a year.

    ENTREPRENEURIALEver wonder why there isnt a product in the world that probably should exist but doesnt? Then why not go for it and start up your own business? Perhaps you have a talent which you can showcase as a service to other people or know how to turn a struggling business into a successful one. The government is currently running a scheme for 18-24 year olds who want to start their own business, providing funding, training and help to make sure young people starting from scratch are on the right path.

    Careers ChoicesBusiness is vital to our economy; without it, there wouldnt be any money. And without money, thered be no society. So its imperative to make sure that businesses run to their best potential. To make these businesses work, there are many cogs in the machine, such as administration, human resources and management, all of which require a different set of skills.

    Business & Customer Service

  • 25www.careersworld.co.uk

    REGIONAL FOCUSWith some of the countrys biggest cities in the North West, its no surprise that

    business is certainly a very pro table trade. Hailed as

    the capital of the north, Manchester is home to

    Kellogs, Betfred, Adidas and many more. Due to Liverpool and Manchester being very

    close, much business is done between the two cities, though the north of the region

    is much less corporate.

    Manchester and Liverpool are great hubs for jobs

    in administration, mainly because of the amount of

    large businesses in the area that have a need for admin

    assistants and HR sta .

    APPRENTICESHIPSIf you are 16 or over then you can enter an Apprenticeship, which would teach you the skills that you need while you work, youll also earn a salary. On your Apprenticeship, half of your time will be spent doing the job and the other half will be spent learning in the classroom. 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: Business and Administration Contact Centre Operations Customer Service Management Sales and Telesales

    ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPSThese are equivalent to A-Levels and can usually be joined after you complete the associated Intermediate Apprenticeship. Advanced Apprenticeships are perfect for those who want a practical role as they learn while gaining relevant employment experience. People with Advanced Apprenticeships often progress up the career ladder faster than those without, because the skills that they learn are more suited to management or supervisory roles. Here are some of the Apprenticeship Frameworks for this sector, completing any of these will result in a Level 3 quali cation such as a BTEC, NVQ or Diploma.Business and Administration Contact Centre Operations Customer Service Enterprise Management Sales and Telesales

    A-LEVELSA-Levels are the most popular route into University and are sought after by most employers. The following A-levels provide a great path into this sector:English Language Maths Business Studies IT

    FOUNDATION DEGREESA foundation degree combines the University lifestyle with practical, hands on work. Its basically a cross between an Apprenticeship and an Honours Degree. They are both used as gateway quali cations to a full time Degree because they count towards the rst two years of your Honours Degree. Foundation Degrees normally take about two years to complete and you will be in both the work place and on the university site. Nearly all universities provide Foundation and full Honours degrees in Business related elds.

    COLLEGE COURSESA College course is another good way to get into the Business and Customer Service sector. To nd out more about these courses, have a look atwww.careersworld.co.uk.

    4.7 MILLION

    SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS THE UK

    BUSINESS SKILLS CAN BE TRANSFERRED

    TO ALMOST ANY OTHER SECTOR!

    A FULLY QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANT CAN

    EARN OVER50,000 PA

    Business &Customer ServiceWhere to begin

    Fancy a career in business? Well read on to nd out how you can get started...

  • 27www.careersworld.co.uk

    WHATS THE CREATIVE, MEDIA AND ARTS SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

    Its everywhere. On your TV, on your computer, on your games consoles, in every newspaper, painting, t-shirt, magazine, book, website or newsletter, its a massive sector that covers the things we enjoy most at home.

    WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

    Youll start o on somewhere in the region of 10,000 to 18,000 depending on what you do. Some of the newer roles, such as interactive and digital media tend to pay more because they are more specialised, but nearly all the career paths available will have room for advancement and as the market continues to expand new roles will become available.

    WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

    Most media companies work out of o ces and studios; this isnt anywhere near as boring as it sounds as most creative o ces are bustling with ideas and tend to be more laid back than the bigger corporations. Of course TV and Film would have you working in various settings both indoor and outdoor and the fashion industry could take you from a cat walk to a high street shop.

    HOW DOES THIS SECTOR COMPARE TO OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

    The Creative sector will soon become one of the most important in the country. As technology advances, people need to keep up to date and thats where you come in. At present, the industry is worth 36 billion a year; in the time it takes you to read to the bottom of this section, the Creative sector will have generated over 70,000. Around 1 in every 10 of our exports are in this sector, which means that other countries favour our approach to Media, Creativity and The Arts.

    WHERE IS THE WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

    It obviously depends on what you specialise in, but generally there is more work the further towards London you go. However, the BBC has recently relocated a lot of its programming to Salford (near Manchester) and there are of course independent publishing companies, newspapers and digital media companies all over the country. It really is a case of moving to where the work is, but once you become established, moving wont be an issue.

    Creative, Media& The ArtsFacebook, Emmerdale, The Mona Lisa, Call of Duty. All these things have one thing in common they all fall into Creative, Media and Arts sector and they could be the basis of your future career!

    You ask us...

    Web: www.futureworks.co.ukTel: 0161 214 4600

    Email: [email protected]: Futureworks, Riverside, New

    Bailey Street, Manchester M3 5FS

    THE REAL WORLDFutureworksAt Futureworks, Manchesters School of Media, all of our tutors are practising industry professionals. Our students often nd themselves working in their chosen industries before theyve even nished their courses!

    Recent Visual E ects graduate Daniel Hammonds has worked on the brand new Keanu Reeves lm 47 Ronin for visual e ects company, Framestore. In addition, some of our visual e ects students managed to earn themselves acknowledgement from the BBC for their work on visual e ects for the CBBC TV series The 4 OClock Club.

    In our games department, games design graduate Joseph Grainger was picked up by Matmi, who produce award-winning mobile and social apps for iOS and Android. His rst project was on a brand new iOS game called Rollabear.

    Our Audio Engineering & Production graduate Will Brown has become a rising star under his alias Compa, having his music signed and performing at the Warehouse Project in Manchester.

    How do they achieve all this? Futureworks tutors boast great industry connections, and their students work harder within the smaller class sizes. Portfolio projects and exercises in self-promotion make up part of the curriculum for all courses, and when it comes to their Professional Diplomas, students looking to work part-time or full-time can t their studies around any jobs they wish to undertake.

  • 28 www.careersworld.co.uk

    PUBLISHINGThis magazine you are reading wouldnt exist without publishing and it covers everything to do with written word. Most publishers are small and deal with specialist publications, such as career speci c magazines or travel guides. Starting salaries are quite high, ranging from 15,000 to 20,000.

    FILM & TELEVISIONFancy yourself as the next Phillip Seymour Ho man? What do you mean who?! Well, its not all about the actors; all those names that scroll at the end of the credits (that you probably leave the cinema half way through) are roles that make lm and television work. Cameramen, sound and lighting operators, makeup artists, special e ects specialists and directors are just some of the roles available. Salaries usually start out fairly low (about 12,000) but will grow as your experience does.

    PERFORMANCE ARTSAll the worlds a stage. Not only does this cover the performers, but also the supporting crew; you could be in wardrobe, stage management or directing the whole show! Starting salaries are usually between 12,000 and 16,000 depending on your role.

    INTERACTIVE MEDIAAlso known as New Media, everything from Facebook and Youtube to apps and websites is covered here. Youll have to move with the times, as in this industry something could go from popular to forgotten in just a few seconds. Remember Bebo? No, me neither. Starting salaries are pretty high because its a specialist subject; expect to earn between 16,000 and 20,000 with more to come as you become more experienced.

    FASHIONIf you know whats hot and whats not, whats in and whats out, then this could be right up your alley. Fashion covers designing new clothes, patterns and styles as well as buying stock for high street shops to sell. You can expect to start on between 12,000 and 15,000.

    PUBLIC RELATIONSPR is all about networking you might be representing a small company looking to expand or a high pro le celebrity in search of that next big blockbuster. Starting salaries in PR are usually higher than others in this sector; youre looking at 19,000 to start out with, but experienced PR people at the top of the ladder can earn upwards of 100,000! Thats a lot of chicken dinners

    ANIMATIONFinding Nemo, Toy Story and Shrek; all are huge animated lms that started life on a drawing board. Animators work on bringing still images to life. Animation isnt just limited to lm; it appears in TV, on websites, adverts and video games. Starting salaries are between 16,000 and 20,000 and can increase with experience.

    CURATORS/CONSERVATORSMuseums, heritage sites and art galleries all require experts to look after the exhibits that guests come to see. Whether its bringing new exhibits in or restoring old ones to display quality, its a varied job that will give you a lot of grati cation. There is a minimum salary (by law) of 20,895, which you can expect to rise as you gain experience.

    Careers ChoicesIf you have the imagination to match your ambition and desire to succeed, then you will go far in this sector. From television to fashion, theres a whole host of different career paths to be taken, but be aware that this is a very popular sector to get into, so its best to get some work experience behind you to make you more attractive to employers. Here are some of the biggest areas within this sector:

    Creative, Media & The Arts

  • 29www.careersworld.co.uk

    REGIONAL FOCUSThe North West has long been known as a cultural hotspot; with music icons like The Beatles and Oasis

    coming from the area, theres a lot to live up to! Ian Brown of The Stone

    Roses said Manchester has everything except a beach,

    and its certainly true in a cultural sense. It was host to the biggest exhibition of ne art in the UK, has an

    excellent theatre culture, and of course, many emerging

    bands.

    Liverpool is also a hotspot for creativity, with events such as the International Gothic Festival in November 2013

    and a huge art scene.

    APPRENTICESHIPSWith over 48,000 di erent companies in this sector, an Apprenticeship might be the easier route to take to get into a very tough sector. Competition for places in this industry are super high, so having one foot in the door and earning as you learn could be a great way to go. Here are the frameworks you can expect to see in this industry and all Apprenticeships result in a Level 2 BTEC, Diploma or NVQ.Design Games Testing Performing Arts (Theatre) Fashion and Textiles Music Business Creative

    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. 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.Creative Creative and Digital Media Design Performing Arts Photography Photo Imaging

    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:Art and Design Dance Drama Fine Art Graphic Design Media Studies Music Technology Photography

    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. Example degrees include Creative Writing, Animation and Photography.

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

    55,900PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED

    WITHIN TV - 11% OF THE CREATIVE

    INDUSTRY

    50%OF THE TV WORKFORCE

    HAS UNDERTAKEN UNPAID WORK

    MORE THAN

    1/3OF PEOPLE WORKING

    IN MEDIA ARE FREELANCE

    Creative, Media & The ArtsWhere to begin

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

  • 01772 [email protected]

    TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT APPRENTICESHIPS WITH PRESTONS COLLEGEAt Prestons College, we have Apprenticeships available in a range of industries from Accountancy to Motor Vehicle, Hairdressing to Laboratory Operations and much more.

    If you want to earn while you learn call 01772 225186 now and speak to an advisor.

  • 31www.careersworld.co.uk

    WHATS THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR ALL ABOUT?

    Construction is a broad term for all things building related. It doesnt just cover bricks, tiles and pipes; youll nd a whole host of job roles that use skills such as problem solving, design and leadership. You could be planning a development project for a rundown area, installing plumbing systems or even supervising a team working on a skyscraper!

    WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

    The starting salaries in construction are pretty high; most practical job roles start out at around 16,000. Jobs in areas such as civil engineering and surveying tend to start out with a salary of around 15,000, but fully quali ed professionals can earn in excess of 40,000. Its also worth noting that almost a third of this industry is self employed; this means you set your own schedule and prices. It could also mean getting up on a Monday morning would just be for a slice of toast and a cup of tea.

    WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WOULD I BE WORKING IN?

    A construction environment isnt always just a building site; you could be in a design studio planning out the structure of the building, or working underground checking on the maintenance of the gas and water pipes. Heck, you could be operating a

    crane at 150ft! Most of these job roles require working with heavy machinery so youll need some specialist training, just in case you end up driving a cement mixer onto the motorway. Or accidentally building an o ce block on top of a graveyard.

    HOW DOES THIS SECTOR COMPARE TO OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

    Construction is one of the countrys largest sectors; it employs over 2.35 million people, which equates to around 8% of the UK workforce. Due to the self employed nature of this industry, a whopping 92% of organisations employ less than 10 people, meaning employment in private companies is becoming harder to nd.

    WHERE IS THE WORK MOST CONCENTRATED?

    Unlike other industries, construction isnt usually xed to one place; youll have to go where the work is. The company you work for will have a catchment area which you will work in; obviously larger companies will be able to cover larger geographical areas. Domestic construction, which includes improvements, repairs and the building of housing, usually takes place wherever the client lives. New housing projects usually spring up on the outskirts of towns and villages, whereas larger buildings such as o ce blocks and commercial retail areas are usually built on out of town business and retail parks.

    ConstructionEver wondered how they built some of the most iconic buildings of our time? Perhaps you think Big Ben isnt big enough, or that The Leaning Tower of Pisa is just a bit rubbish; if you think you can make a di erence to the buildings we see, then the Construction industry is for you.

    You ask us...

    Web: www.preston.ac.ukTel: 01772 22 55 22

    THE REAL WORLDArian HajdariA construction trainee from Prestons College has won a place at the nals of the UKs largest multi-trade competition, SkillBuild 2013. Arian Hajdari has already triumphed at the North West regional heat and will compete against the other regional winners at The Skills Show, the UKs biggest skills and careers show which takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 14-16 November. Arian will be competing in the Painting & Decorating category against the best trainees in the country.

    Mick Hamill, Regional Delivery Manager for CITB in the North West, said: The SkillBuild 2013 nals will celebrate the enormous amount of construction talent across the nation. The nals bring together the countrys most promising construction trainees and we are really excited to see another year of outstanding achievement.

    A spokesperson from Prestons College commented: Were delighted to see Arian go through to the national nals of SkillBuild 2013. Its a real testament to the work that he has been doing, and we foresee a bright future ahead of him in the construction industry.

    Entering competitions such as SkillBuild is a key part of our programmes here at Prestons College as they really give learners the opportunity to set themselves apart when it comes to getting a job and progressing in their career.

    SkillBuild is run by the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board (CITB) as part of its commitment to training and excellence across the construction industry. The competition will be followed by a SkillBuild reception event, and then an awards event held in conjunction with the Skills Show.

  • 32 www.careersworld.co.uk

    PAINTING & DECORATINGIts not as di cult as your parents make it look! Painters and decorators can work in a variety of places on a wide range of projects, from wallpapering a bedroom to painting a hospital exterior. Salaries vary depending on experience, but senior supervisors can well over 30,000.

    BRICKLAYINGA popular choice for people who like to work with their hands, Bricklaying involves building, repairing and demolishing walls using a variety of techniques, it isnt just staring at a brick wall. Salaries usually start at around 17,000, but rise with experience.

    CIVIL ENGINEERINGCivil Engineers design a whole range of structures, such as bridges, pipelines and railways as well as drawing up plans for new buildings. You will work both in an o ce and on site so be prepared for a varied day! Salaries can be upwards of 36,000 with progression.

    PLUMBINGRemember Super Mario? This is how he got started. You might not end up having a day like him, but your work will be just as varied; you could be repairing a broken pipeline, or installing a completely new system to your own design. Dont be afraid to get a little wet in this line of work! Salaries usually range from 17,000 for newly quali ed plumbers to 35,000 with progression.

    SCAFFOLDINGCreating a safe working environment is a priority in any career and sca olders provide this on a range of projects, from simple building sites to towering o ce blocks. You will be building platforms for the construction crew to work on and can expect to earn between 17,000 and 26,000.

    CARPENTRY & JOINERYWood. Its all over the place. Its the job of Carpenters and Joiners to take it and turn it into a useful product for widespread use. You could be carving an ornate staircase in a hotel, or building a roof support for a mansion. With experience you can expect to earn more than 30,000.

    PLASTERINGPlastering is now considered a specialist skill within this trade; from simple walls to extravagant statues, you will be creating something important wherever you work. You can expect to earn between 17,000 and 28,000 in this line of work.

    SURVEYINGSurveyors are like teachers; they point out aws in work and then tell you how to improve it. Or, they tell you to destroy it completely. There are so many roles in the eld of Surveying, such as Cartography (thats map making to you and me), improving run down areas of cities, developing land for future building work and so much more. Like the roles, the salary varies depending on what you specialise in, but a trainee surveyor can expect to start on 15,000 and earn up to 60,000+ in some elds.

    Careers ChoicesWere you a dab hand with Lego as a kid? Every structure you see, from your local corner shop to towering skyscrapers in the big cities, is a result of the Construction industry. This sector generates billions of pounds a year for the economy and has a diverse range of careers and roles to choose from.

    Whether you prefer working with tools outdoors on a site, in an of ce designing buildings or installing facilities in peoples homes, theres a career for everyone in this industry. There is an emphasis on teamwork, so if you enjoy working with others then this could be the career for you. And if not, you can work in your own of ce giving plans and directions to others!

    Here are some of the more popular trades you can choose; we couldnt possibly print them all, there are far too many!

    Construction

  • 33www.careersworld.co.uk

    REGIONAL FOCUSThe North West Is the third

    largest region for population but the eight in terms of actual space, this means

    there are a lot of people to house but not much room to do it! The biggest sector of construction is repair and maintenance, meaning you

    might not be building so much as keeping properties

    safe and sound. Non-physical positions are very popular in this region, with many architects and technical

    engineers calling the North West home.

    APPRENTICESHIPSThis where most people in the industry start out. An apprenticeship allows you to learn you trade while also being paid a salary. There are many employers out there who provide apprenticeship schemes; to get an idea of whos out there, head to websites on our Useful Links page. Below you will nd the Apprenticeships frameworks relevant to this industry, which will give you an idea of what youll be able to choose from. All these frameworks result in a Level 2 quali cation, such as NVQs BTECs or Diplomas, are the equivalent of 5 GCSE passes and takes two years to complete.Construction Building Construction Technical, Supervision and Management Construction Civil Engineering Construction Specialist

    ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPSThis is the equivalent of two A levels, but without sitting in a classroom studying. Like a regular Apprenticeship, its suited to more practical elds of work. Advanced Apprenticeships in construction only take a year and on completion you will receive a Level 3 Quali cation, again either a BTEC, an NVQ or a Diploma