Employability Skills
You will have already learnt some of the Employability Skills - also known as Key Skills - which are crucial to job success and your personal development. Build the development of these key skills into your choice of subjects and courses and log them as you go. The Employability Skills are:
* Communication * IT * Working with Others * Problem Solving *
* Improving your own Learning and Performance * Application of Number *
Every Day Counts!
Click HERE for information on attendance issues for schools, young people, parents and businesses.
Getting an Exam Result?
Unexpected results? Don't panic! There are probably more options open to you than you think...
The waiting is over and you've finished your course. You may have received exam results. Did you do better or worse than you had hoped? You may have got just what you expected. Wherever you're at, you still have some important decisions to make.
Whatever your results Connexions West of England can help you find out about all the options available. Whether it's work, training or full-time education you are interested in we have information to support you. Visit your local Connexions Centre or phone our Learner Helpline: 0800 923 0323.
Click here to view the Futures4Me database of learning and training opportunities
What Qualifications are best for you?
There are a huge range of qualifications available. Here's just some:
- NVQs - Work related training www.dfes.gov.uk/nvq
- AS & A2 levels
- BTEC National Diploma
- International Baccalaureate
- Foundation Degree
- Degree
- BTEC Higher National Diplomas
To find out more about qualifications visit www.dfes.gov.uk/qualifications or telephone 0345 665588. You can also visit the Qualifications & Curriculum Authority at www.qca.org.uk
Stop Press! New Qualification!
Diplomas are new employer-designed qualifications offered at three levels in 14 broad employment sectors. Completing a Diploma allows students to progress to further study, university or employment.
Diplomas are different – they will give young people a fully rounded education, which combines theoretical and practical learning.
The first five Diplomas will be available in 2008. In the West of England the following will be offered:
Construction and the Built Environment
Creative and Media
Society, Health and Development
Information Technology
Engineering
Click here to find where you can study the new Diploma.
Further Education
Keep in learning or training for as long as possible. There is an increasing demand, even in the traditional craft occupations such as plumbing, electrican and motor mechanic, for level 3 qualifications
Find out more - many schools and sixth form colleges have websites. Colleges of further education also have websites that explain what is on offer. They include up-to-date prospectus information, descriptions of college facilities as well as advice on other aspects of student life.
Higher Education
The opportunities in Higher Education are extremely wide with options designed to attract students with a variety of experience and qualifications.
This includes universities, colleges of higher education and further education colleges. They offer degrees and other HE courses. There are also open learning routes to gaining a Higher Education qualification.
A levels and the new Advanced qualifications, BTEC National can all open the door to higher education. The Key Skills you have developed are taken into account when you apply for a course.
Mature students (over 21 or 23 in some cases) may want to enrol on an Access course which is designed for those who have few or no qualifications and can prepare you for a particular Higher Education course.
To find out about going on to college or university visit Aim Higher
UCAS
There is a central applications system – called UCAS - for all Higher Education courses.
Visit their site to see what courses are available and where. www.ucas.ac.uk
You can apply to UCAS on-line via the electronic application system (EAS) which is available in our Connexions Centres.
UCAS Conventions
UCAS Conventions take place in the South West during March to May. They are an opportunity to talk directly to representatives from hundreds of universities and colleges across the country. Over 10,000 people attended the 2006 Higher Education Convention held at the University of Bath. There was also a full programme of seminars including sessions on Choosing a Course and Taking a Gap Year and information on adjusting to student life, including student finances.
To find out about life as student visit:
Learner Helpline
For information on higher education courses in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristlol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire contact the Learner Helpline 0800 923 0323. The Helpline advisers can help you identify a course to suit your individual needs.
Information is also available on funding including Student or Career Development Loans and charities and trusts, as well as practical tips on things like travel.
Learndirect
To find out about on-line learning opportunities visit the website www.learndirect.co.uk or you can telephone 0800 100 900.
Look at our Contacts section and our 1 Big Database for lots of useful organisations, links and telephone numbers on a whole range of issues that affect young people. |
