Open Doors - North West, Spring 2012

Open D

oors – The Regional Training ProspectusIssue 3 | N

orth West Edition | Spring 2012

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re Awesom

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NOrth WESt EDitiON issue 3 - Spring 2012ISSN: 2046-6552

ApprENticEShipS · cArEErS · JObS · trAiNiNg · A-LEvELS · cOLLEgE · UNi

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feel free to put a link to our website www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk on your schools resources web pages or intranet

Throughout this Prospectus, you’ll see lots of facts and figures about our region and its sectors. We get them from UK National Statistics, various Sector Skills Councils, regional local authorities and industry experts. It’s all official stuff, there’s no Wikipedia where we’re involved!

HEllO, wE’rE OpEN DOOrS...

Open Doors – Spring 2012 - North West edition

Open Doors – The Regional Training Prospectus is published by Open Doors Media Ltd ©2011.

ISSN: 2046-6552All 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 effort 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.

... and this is our Regional Training Prospectus, here to help you decide what to do next.

It’s an exciting time, after all – young people like you up and down the country are planning for their futures in September 2012 – and did you know that there are endless opportunities, right on your doorstep! You could start earning money with an Apprenticeship; get a taste of the working world with employer funded study; carry on learning at sixth form or college, and much more.

In this issue we will profile some of the biggest sectors in your region and explain how to take the first step to a career in the ones that interest you. We’ll also cover all of the main sectors out there, explore trends in your area, and take a look at some remarkable true stories of young people who have had success after leaving school.

But that’s not all! We also have a guide to all of the confusing qualifications out there, advice on how to make the most of our social media and we will answer some of the most common questions that you might have.

the future is in your hands... right here in this prospectus. So turn the page and let’s get started!

Publisher – Karl [email protected]

Editor – Stan [email protected]

Business Development – Simon [email protected]

Production Manager – Lindsey [email protected]

Design – Studio Belly [email protected]

Distribution/Subscriptions [email protected]

To contact us:01765 694120 | [email protected]

www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

03

the intro bits

07 HOw TO ApplY Here we answer some of the most common queries you might have

10 QUAlIFICATIONS TABlE See how different qualifications add up, and how they compare

12 lIFE STOrIES Past and present students tell us all about their experiences and how they succeeded

17 CUSTOmEr SErvICE & ADmIN SECTOr Learn the skills that can be applied to almost every area of business

21 CONSTrUCTION SECTOr Build a successful career for yourself

25 CrEATIvE, DIgITAl & mEDIA SECTOr Exciting, trendy careers for artistic types

29 ENvIrONmENTAl & lAND-BASED SECTOr Consider a career out in the fresh air

33 SpOrT & FITNESS SECTOr How about a healthy career helping people stay fit?

37 ImAgINE A CArEEr... We give you a heads-up on the other sectors out there, which we’ll cover in later issues

p17 Customer service

& admin sector

the perfect place to start, jump straight to any section that instantly appeals or keep turning the pages and continue reading – it’s all here to help you find your dream career

CONTENTS

The Intro Bits Careers Insight

the intro bits

04


p25 Creative, digital

& media sector

43 SpOTlIgHT ON THE NOrTH wEST All about your region

52 mOrE HElpFUl STUFF Useful links, contact details and more – because you can never have too much information

54 CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAl mEDIA A step by step guide on how to find us on facebook, twitter and google +

p21 Construction sector

p33 Sport & fitness sector

p29 Environmental & land-based sector

HErE’S How IT workSEvery term, we publish a new issue of Open Doors that covers five sectors in detail so you get a good idea of what a career in those industries would be like. Don’t worry if the sector you’re keen on isn’t one of the five – you’ll find it in our overview of remaining sectors in the ‘Imagine a career in...’ article. With each new issue, we’ll cover five totally new sectors in detail, so make sure you look out for us next term.If there’s anything else you’d like us to cover, or if you just want to say hello, email us at [email protected]. We want to make sure our magazine offers everything you need (or just want to read about)! Happy reading, and hope you have a great term.

Useful Stuff


05

the intro bits

HOw TO ApplY

How do you approach a

company for work experience?

Do you know what the Common

Application Process is?

Now you have an idea of what course or subjects would be right for you it’s time to think about taking the next step and making an application...

Around 70% of 16 year olds choose to remain in full time education

70%

of employers say relevant work experience is the

most important part of an application

34%

(number of school leavers and graduates who enter the job market each year)

800,000

Applications without spelling mistakes

are 61% more likely to get a reply

(number of apprenticeship starts in England each year)

275,000+there are more than

university places in the UK each year

500,000


07

the intro bits

Common APPlICATIon ProCESS14-19 area prospectuses use an online resource called the Common

Application Process (CAP) which makes it easier to apply for different

types of courses at age 14 or 16.

What is the Common Application Process?

Basically the CAP allows you to easily manage all of the applications

you want to make for different courses. There might be lots of courses

that interest you and the CAP lets you upload your application details

so that you can quickly apply for any courses on your local 14-19

area prospectus. This means that you should not have to fill out lots of

different application forms but can just upload your details once and

then browse courses and click to apply.

The system also keeps track of the status of all of your applications so

you can check their progress and see if you have any offers of places.

It also links to local Information Advice and Guidance services so that

you can get some helpful advice if the providers you have applied to

are unable to make you an offer.

What kind of courses does the Common Application Process

help me apply for?The courses on here are those offered by local colleges and training

providers. As it is used for all applications through your 14-19 area

prospectus you can use it to apply for the following types of courses:

• ASandALevels• Basic/KeySkills• BTEC’s• GCSE’s• HigherEducationCourses• VocationalQualifications

HowdoIgetinvolved?Your school should be able to give you a login to use on your 14-19

area prospectus, which will allow you to complete a personal profile and

application form, browse the available courses and apply for them online.

For the details of your 14-19 area prospectus turn to page 52 of this

magazine or head to www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk. Most of the 14-19

area prospectuses are very easy to use but if you do have problems

don’t be afraid to email them, they will be happy to help and guide you.

APPrEnTICESHIPSYou might have decided that an apprenticeship is the way to go! The National Apprenticeship Service operates a vacancy matching service that allows you to search apprenticeship opportunities and make applications for them online. To apply for an apprenticeship follow these simple steps:

• Headtowww.apprenticeships.org.ukandclick‘search for vacancies’.

• Registeronthesiteandactivateyouraccount.You only have to do this once and you will get a homepage that allows you to track your applications.

• Searchforapprenticeshipsbykeywords,jobroles,locations or learning providers. (Make sure to check the site regularly as new vacancies are uploaded all the time.)

• Whenyoufindtheapprenticeshipyouwantyoucan click to apply through the site. You’ll be asked to fill in your personal info, outline your experience and possibly answer some questions. You can even save your application as a draft and return later if you have to.

• Keepapplying!Youcanapplyforupto10vacanciesand if successful will be invited for an interview or assessment.

HOw TO ApplYBy now you will have some good ideas about what industry and job role appeals to you. You will also be aware of what types of courses andproviderscanhelpyougetthere,buthowdoyouapply?Herewe cover some of the application processes for further and higher education courses as well as some general tips on how to make a successful application...

FInD oUT morE

So now you may have a bit more of an idea about

what type of course or learning provider might be

right for you there’s loads more to discover. You can

find out what courses and qualifications are available

in your local area with your local 14-19 prospectus,

they’re on page 52.

... check out www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk for

details of people who can help in your area.

the intro bits

08


UCAS APPlICATIon ProCESSThe Universities and Colleges Application System

(UCAS) is the system for higher education course

applications. You’ve probably seen it on the news as

hundreds of thousands of people apply to university

each year. The system is not just for undergraduate

degrees; foundation degrees, postgraduate degrees

and most higher education courses are on this site.

The basic steps to applying for university are:

Choosing your course – There are literally

thousands available, make sure to do your research

on which course is right for you, there are lots of

resources on the site to help. Also consider where

you want to do the course, some institutions

specialise in certain courses.

Applying – The application system is all online and

you select on the site which institutions you would

like to apply to, these are your ‘choices’. You need

to provide a personal statement saying why you’re

right for the course as part of this, too so make sure

to take your time.

Offers – If a university wants to offer you a place

they will let you know on the UCAS system what

results they expect you to get. You will have to reply

to accept or refuse these offers.

Results – If you get the results the university asked

for, they will probably offer you a place and you will be

able to start planning for your new course. If you fail to

get the necessary grades, you can still find a course at

a different university through the ‘clearing’ system.

Your teachers will be able to offer you further help

using the system, which you can find at

www.ucas.ac.uk.

GEnErAl TIPS on APPlICATIonSApplications vary greatly on the system you are using or the course or job you are applying for, but there are some general tips that can be applied to most cases.

GrammarandSpellingTake your time when applying. None of the application systems covered on this page force you to log on, find a course and apply all in one go. This means you have plenty of time to check your application thoroughly, applications with spelling mistakes or grammatical errors suggest that you have rushed the process. You might like to word process your application and then ‘cut & paste’. It’s often a good idea to get your parents, teachers or friends to help you by double checking!

Work ExperienceYou may decide to get some work experience to help you get the course, apprenticeship or job that you want. This can often be a good way to get ahead. If you have a company in mind for work experience you could telephone to find out who to approach or send a polite, and well written, letter or email with a CV attached.

Be Yourself!This is a top tip for any application. In many cases the people you are applying to have to look through hundreds of application forms. Try to show what would make YOU the right person for the course. Do you have a real passion for the subject or is it your dream to go into a career in that sector? What makes you stand out as a good applicant and the best candidate for the course or job? Make sure you’re picking the course or job that suits your personality and skills best!

If you are having trouble with your application your school careers advisor should be able to help.

Top 5 CV writing Tips from InspireEducationSometimes, 70 people or even more will apply for every vacancy, and most companies will select only 4

people to attend an interview. It is essential to get your CV and Covering Letter right to give you the best

chance of being interviewed.

1. Spelling and Grammar mistakes will put your CV at the bottom of the pile, always use a word processor

and get someone to check it for you.

2. Remember your audience; CV’s can be boring to read especially if an employer has 70 to read! Keep your CV, clear,

easy to read and to the point. You might want to tweak your CV to emphasize particular points or experience, which are

relevant to that particular job.3. A good Personal Statement at the start of your CV will be the hook that makes the reader carry on or dismiss the

application. In 3 – 4 sentences you need to say who you are and why you would be good for the job, inspire them to

want to interview you.4. Bullet point your key skills, the reader will need to see quickly if your skills match their requirements, using bullet points

will make it easier for them.5. Do not list “reading, going to the cinema and socialising” in your hobbies, everyone does this; you need to stand out from

the crowd and show them how involved in your community, activities and environment you are.

Finding a job part-time or full-time is very tough; InspireEducation helps students to be successful post education.

See our website for more information on our IAG workshops. www.i2e-education.co.uk


09

the intro bits

QUAlIFICATIONSExplAINED

Did you know that completing an Advanced Apprenticeship is the same as getting an A level? There are lots of different qualifications – here’s how they compare. Remember that within any one level, qualifications can cover a wide mix of subjects, and take different amounts of time to complete.

ENTrY lEvEl lEvEl 1 lEvEl 2 lEvEl 3

Entry level Certificates

5 gCSEs (grades D-g)

5 gCSEs (grades A*-C) A levels

Skills for life

BTEC Introductory

Diplomas and Certificates

Advanced Apprenticeship

Functional Skills at entry level

(English, maths and ICT)

OCr NationalsBTEC First

Diplomas and Certificates

gCE in applied subjects

Diploma of Higher Education

Awards, Certificates, and

Diplomas at entry level

NvQs at level 1

Foundation Diploma

NvQs at level 2

Higher Diploma

BTEC Diplomas, Certificates and

Awards

NvQs at level 3

Advanced Diploma

HND, HNC

lEvEl 4-8

the intro bits

10


IntermediateApprenticeship

FoundationDegree

HigherApprenticeship

Foundation Diploma

We have a wide range of Apprenticeships available at Intraining • Health and Social Care* • Business Administration • Contact Centre • Sales and Telesales • Customer Service • Team Leading

• Management • Playwork* • Hospitality* • Retail • Travel and Tourism • Warehousing and Storage

Earn

while you

learn!Take the first steponto your career withan Apprenticeship.

www.intraining.co.uk/apprenticeships

*Only delivered in certain locations

If you are 16-24 and want to earn a recognised qualification. Call us today 0330 123 1300 (quote RTP001)

JEmmA’S In THE PInkJemma O’Neil, 26,

had two children at

a young age and

her circumstances

left her looking for

work and struggling

with childcare. She

secured employment

through the Future

Jobs Fund and completing an NVQ

at College set her on

the path to success.

“When I finished

the NVQ, it was my

assessor at College

who suggested I apply for an Apprenticeship”

explains Jemma. “I had an interview with Pink Link

then a trial day and I’ve been here since February.”

“I love my job – I’m working on events, meeting loads

of people and getting qualifications which will help

me to move on in my career and feel more confident.

I’ve finished my Level 2 in Business Administration

now so next I’m planning to progress to Level 3.”

Having an apprentice has been so beneficial for

boss Coral Horne that she is already looking through

CVs for another: “We were lucky to find the perfect

candidate in Jemma. She’s helped the business

launch a new events section as well as coming on in

her own development.

“We use Blackpool and The Fylde College as we

want to hire local people to help the economy.

They’ve been professional and supportive

throughout, filtering CVs and even offering us a

meeting room to conduct interviews.”

For more information about Apprenticeships with

Blackpool and The Fylde College, call 01253 504030,

email [email protected] or visit www.

blackpool.ac.uk/apprenticeships

lIFE STOrIESYoUnG AnD GIFTED, THE FUTUrE IS lookInG BrIGHT For TAlEnTED HAnnAH mAY.The 18-year-old began working for Midlands-based letting agent Howland Jones after starting an apprenticeship with national training provider Intraining.

And through her apprenticeship, Hannah demonstrated so much talent, dedication and enthusiasm that after less than six months, she won Property Professional Awards Young Letting Agent Of The Year.

She said: “I am delighted and still shocked to have won.

“Without the training and support I have received from both my employer and Intraining, I would never have had the confidence and ability to win.”

In her work, Hannah deals with inquiries from tenants and landlords, carries out property viewings and advertises any new homes that have come onto the letting market. While working, she also has completed NVQ Business Administration Levels Two and Three.

She says: “I really enjoy my work. “I have been able to gain experience of a career,

earn money and develop new skills at the same time.“I would definitely recommend apprenticeships.”

Director Rebecca Howland said the team knew from the start that Hannah had something special.

She said: “Hannah decided to take the Apprenticeship route, rather than going to university, and she has shown that she can compete with the best. She is continuing with her studies, while getting a good grounding in the business, which is a combination for success.

“We are incredibly proud of Hannah for what she has achieved in such a short time with us. She has taken to the lettings industry very quickly and is Immensely talented and able, and, although still an apprentice, we have increased her salary to reflect that.

“This is just the beginning for her.”

For more information visit:www.intraining.co.uk/apprenticeshipsTel: 0330 123 1300

the intro bits

12


lAUrA roDrIGUEz, AGED 18, workS For mArSH BElloFrAmOn leaving school she decided she would like to gain some qualifications and experience in Business Administration, which will one day allow her to follow her dream and join the Army as a Military Administrative Clerk.

She applied to Babington for an Apprenticeship in Business and Administration, and after being accepted, Babington helped Laura to find employment as an Office Junior at Marsh Bellofram.

Laura has been working for the company for two years now. She has completed an Apprenticeship in Business Administration.

Laura really enjoys her job at Marsh Bellofram. She likes being part of the team, and gets on well with her colleagues. She has progressed considerably since starting work for the company, and is now involved in sales and meetings as well as general administration.

Laura said, ““Babington Business College have supported me all the way through my qualification. They have excellent pass rates, you get work experience and I am gaining a recognised qualification all at the same time!”

Laura feels that undertaking the Apprenticeship has helped her progress at work. She also knows that the experience and qualifications will assist her in meeting her career goal of working as an Administrator in the Army.

For more information call 0845 605 6045 or visit www.babingtonbusinesscollege.co.uk

nEw rESTAUrAnT SETS APPrEnTICES oFF To A FlYInG STArTKendal’s oldest building has become Kendal

College’s latest training ground for young aspiring

hospitality professionals. The Castle Dairy

opened its doors

as a restaurant just a few short weeks ago, staffed by Kendal College apprentices

who will spend the next two years learning their trade

both at the front of house and in the busy kitchen.

The apprentices have been joined by chef Robert

Stacey, who will develop the restaurant’s menu, to

create a fine dining experience for luncheons and

dinners. Although aged only 22, Robert has worked

in the prestigious More London development, as

the Michelin-starred Galvin at Windows and Cold.

Veg. Sauce.

The new restaurant will set apprentices off to a flying

start: giving them two years’ of practical experience

in a commercial restaurant as well as nationally

recognized qualifications.

The Castle Dairy, a grade 1 listed 14th Century building

situated on the North side of Kendal, has sat empty

since 2005. A project with Kendal College and the local

council saw the interior of the Castle Dairy restored and

refurbished with a new gallery area and commercial

kitchen. As owners of the building, the council invested

£120,000 into the development with further financial

support from English Heritage who allocated a grant of

£30,527 to help restore the building.

The college, which was judged Outstanding by

Ofsted in January 2011 has spent over £24 million

on new build and facilities over the past four years,

including a new Heritage Construction Centre,

conference suite and seminar rooms and a new

performance space, The Box . The college also

manages Kendal Museum as part of a 10-year

partnership agreement with the local council.

For more information on the fantastic training

opportunities at Kendal College, call 01539 814700

or see our website at www.kendal.ac.uk


13

the intro bits

HArD work AnD DEDICATIon ArE THE kEYTwo professional

cookery students

at The Manchester

College have enjoyed

a string of successes

in competitions,

including winning the

UK Young Seafood

Chef of the Year

trophy. Chelsea Taylor and Danielle

Heron were also

offered jobs in a top

restaurant when they

finish their studied.

Hard work, dedication and supportive

tutors have been key, according to Chelsea, 18, and

Danielle, 19. The students were offered jobs at the

Villa Country House Hotel after showing impressive

dedication and teamwork at a competition earlier

this year.

Chelsea and Danielle competed as a team at the UK

Young Seafood Chef of the Year competition, held in

Grimsby. Competitions and work placements have

given the girls an opportunity to travel around the UK

and meet students from other regions. When asked

what advice she’d give future students Danielle said:

‘If you work hard and dedicate yourself you’ll get the

most out of it. Always ask for more jobs, don’t just

slack off in the corner! You’ll get to learn more.’

Chelsea has won Lancashire Young Student Chef

of the Year with Danielle assisting her. Danielle also

finished runner-up in the final of Essential Cuisine

North West Young Chef of the Year in June.

For more information call 0161 203 2100 (option 2)

or visit www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk

APPrEnTICESHIPS PUT SAm In THE DrIVInG SEAT!Seventeen-year-old Sam Dysart turned his hobby into a career with the help of Blackburn-based training provider, Training 2000.

Sam had enjoyed working on cars since the age of 14, and used Training 2000’s Train Up Pre- Apprenticeship programme to help him gain the skills and experience necessary to work in the motor trade. After achieving Level 1 in English, Maths and Motor Vehicle, he has now begun his Level 2 Apprenticeship in Motor Vehicle at National Tyres, Blackburn.

“I didn’t like doing school work, but I enjoyed being in a real working environment during my Train Up placement.” Sam said.

“I’m really pleased to have been accepted on an Apprenticeship and I would definitely recommend Train Up to other people because the work placement gives you real on-the-job skills and it is totally different to school.”

Sam’s supervisor at National Tyres, Andy Hilton, said: “Sam has made an excellent start to his Apprenticeship and we would like to thank Training 2000 for providing a great scheme to young people in the area which helps them gain interest in a career and get on the first rung of the ladder.”

For more information about Apprenticeships at Training 2000 call 01254 54659 or visit www.t2k.org.uk

the intro bits www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

14

lIFE STOrIES

Jump into the future with T2K Apprenticeships!• Automotive

• Business

• Construction

• Dental

• Engineering

• Health & Social Care

Apply Online at: www.t2k.org.ukTel: 01254 54659 | Email: [email protected]

FM.M

K_34

4/01

Nov

201

1 Re

f: M

244

Training 2000 is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England: 2380675 Registered Charity: 701770

Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/training2000

To find out more come to one of our Apprenticeship events which are:Thursday 2nd February 2012 at our Nelson site, Netherfield Road, Nelson,Lancashire, BB9 9AR from 5.30pm to 8.00pm.Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th February 2012 at our Blackburn site,Furthergate Business Park, Harwood Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 3BDfrom 5.30pm to 8.00pm.Thursday 23rd February 2012 at our Blackpool site, 250 Bristol Avenue, Bispham, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY2 0JF from 5.30pm to 8.00pm.

Engineering – what’s in it for me? Make the right choice with Bright Links

Bright Links Engineering ementoring gives you the support you need to make those tough decisions about your future.

Direct contact with people currently working in engineering-related jobs and a database full of information means you will find answers to questions like:

• What types of jobs could studying engineering lead to?

• Should I get a job or do further study?

• What are my study options?

• How do I get an apprenticeship?

• What are my career options?

• How much could I earn?

Sign up for free at www.brightlinksengineering.org

Supported by

Royal Academy of Engineering Ad v3.indd 1 13/12/2011 10:41

With our industry approved Apprenticeships you’ll work in a real job from day one, it’s a great way to start your career and the perfect stepping stone to getting ahead. And the best part? You’ll earn a wage and gain invaluable experience too.

• Hairdressing and Barbering• Health and Social Care• Hospitality and Catering• Retail

Want to earn while you learn?

The employmentand skills group

Take your first step towards a brighter future and call us now on 0333 444 3973, or

text JOB to 80011 and we’ll give you a call back. You can also visit www.esggroup.co.uk

The choice is yours…

During your Apprenticeship you’ll receive training, within a work environment. All of our training is sector specific and will equip you with the right skills to get you where you want to be. You can get qualifications in areas such as:

• Business Administration• Childcare• Customer Service

Open Doors Advert Oct 2011 version.indd 1 03/11/2011 09:34

CUSTOmEr SErvICE & ADmIN SECTOr

(number of businesses

that say they rely on

admin)

97%

Many top executives were once

administrators

take a fantastic first step on the career ladder…

£20,725 per year

(average full-time administrators

wage in the UK)

You could be the face of a major national company, like Orange or bt

Statistics show that

86% of customers stop using companies when they receive bad customer

service. You could be

vital to your company’s success or

failure.

86%

(the number of admin job

openings expected by 2017)

140,000


17

careers insight

CUSTOmEr SErvICE & ADmIN

norTH wEST FoCUSCustomer service and admin is more than just a sector, it is a

driver of business across all sectors here. Businesses across

the region need friendly employees to provide their customers

with the best service possible, to keep them coming! From

serving the customers in Manchester’s retail outlets to

welcoming the tourists to the Lake District, the North West has

plenty of customer service opportunities.

Fast facts:• Hometosomeofthecountry’sbestandbiggestshops;

they need great customer service representatives.

• ThesamegoesfortheNorthWest’smanyrestaurants,

hotels, bars and tourist attractions.

• ApprenticeshipsareavailableinCustomerService,

Contact Centres and Business and Administration.

Start learning!Want to find a course in the North West? Then turn to page

52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It

will tell you who’s offering what course in your local area, or

you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

GET A JoBThere are many admin and customer service roles that

don’t require previous experience or qualifications. If you’re

interested in admin, then look for office junior, receptionist

and administrative assistant vacancies. If you’re interested in

customer service, working in any high street shop or a call

centre will give you real experience.

Once you’ve got a job, you can start working towards work-

based qualifications like NVQs. Your employer could even help

turn your job into an Apprenticeship.

The benefits: You’ll get on the career ladder and start earning

money – you’ll also be in a good position to pick up work-based

qualifications.

customer serviceYou’ve probably heard the phrase ‘the customer’s always right’. Any business that wants to be successful has to keep its customers happy, and that’s what customer service is all about. From helping a shopper find the right size at Topshop to answering customer queries at a BT call centre, customer service jobs come in all shapes and sizes.

For this career, you need to be good with people and able to help them with any questions or problems they might have. You’ll also need to learn your organisation’s products and services inside and out. It can be a very rewarding career – you’ll get satisfaction every time you help a customer.

Entry-level roles: Customer service representative, call centre operator, plus lots of other jobs involve customer service. Earnings: Salaries start around £12,000 to £18,000 a year. Career progression: With experience, you could become a team leader or manager, which could lead to a higher salary. Customer service skills are transferable to other careers too.

AdministrationBusinesses can’t function without administrators – in fact, 97% of organisations say that administration is crucial to their success. Administrators are responsible for running the daily operations of the office. They answer the phone, input data, keep schedules, type up letters and anything else that needs to be done. They’re an important part of business, which is why there are over 5 million of them in the UK.

For this career, you’ll need to be organised and have good computer skills. Since administrators are needed in most organisations, you could work across many sectors.

You could be a receptionist in a record company, or help run the office of a national charity. Whatever you do, you’ll be learning skills that will help you progress in your career.

Entry-level roles: Administrative assistant, office junior, personal assistant, office secretary Earnings: Salaries start around £15,000 to £20,000 a year. Career progression: Admin is a great way to get in with a company and move up the ladder. Admin skills are transferable to many other careers as well.

it’s more than a sector – customer service and administration help drive businesses forward in all industries. Learn these skills and you’ll be very, very employable…

careers insight

18


CASE STUDYNaomi has a great partnership with OTC

Naomi Crabtree was encouraged to join OTC through a friend. She chose to take up the work-based learning route rather than go to university. Here is what she has to say about her apprenticeship:

“I started my NVQ in Business Admin and Customer Services in August 2010. I attended The Blue Coat School from September 2003 until the summer of 2008 achieving 11 GCSE’s A*-B, I then continued my studies at Blue Coat 6th form completing 4 A-levels September 2008 –May 2010.

I wanted to continue training, but through experience rather than academically and so university was never on the cards. My friend Ste, who is currently training as an engineer at OTC, mentioned this as an option. Once the initial forms were complete I was offered a position at TP Matrix, a local electronic and manufacturing company as Service Administrator on the 16th July 2010.

As an employee I get all the benefits plus my training at OTC. I attend OTC every Thursday where I am undertaking a Diploma in Administration completing numerous units within my online e-Portfolio qualification, allowing me to work both at the centre, in work or at home. Since starting my role at work, the number of responsibilities has massively increased and I feel much more confident at dealing with different situations and working under pressure. I also had the opportunity to complete a telephone techniques one day training OTC.

OTC has helped me greatly offering support and carrying out regular reviews and observations on my work ethic within a business environment. It’s a great partnership.”

For more information call 0161 624 5360 or visit www.otctraining.co.uk

USEFUl lInkSwww.breakinto.biz - for more information about

admin careers.

www.instituteofcustomerservice.com - The Institute of

Customer Service .

www.cfa.uk.com - The Council for Administration.

www.careersbox.co.uk - Careers films on the web.

www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk - Our online careers resource.

GET QUAlIFIEDThere are plenty of vocational and academic courses relevant for this sector...

ApprenticeshipsThere are several Apprenticeships available: customer service, contact centres, and business & administration. In all of them, you’ll learn on the job while attending a college or training provider on day release, and earn the right qualifications that will help you progress. Here are the Apprenticeship frameworks relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 2:•BusinessandAdministration•ContactCentres•CustomerService•Sales&Telesales

Advanced Apprenticeships Advanced Apprenticeships are equivalent to A Levels, but like Apprenticeships are advantageous for practical roles. Advanced Apprenticeships help you become more qualified whilst gaining employment experience. You can build on all of the above Apprenticeships; all of these frameworks are NVQ level 3:•BusinessandAdministration•ContactCentres•CustomerService•Sales&Telesales

You can also do a Higher Apprenticeship, NVQ level 4 in:•ContactCentres

A Levels A Levels can either lead to university or a Foundation Degree, which are explained below. Most employers will value your personality most of all, but certain subjects do give you skills that could be useful in this sector. Here are some recommended A Level subjects, which could set you in the right direction:•BusinessStudies•English•ICT

Foundation DegreesA Foundation Degree is a higher education qualification which combines academic study with practical hands-on experience. Designed jointly by universities, colleges and employers, they should give you the right skills to be ready for employment. They are university-level qualifications and are equivalent to the first two years of an Honours Degree. A typical full-time Foundation Degree takes two years to complete, and are different from Honours Degrees as they usually involve learning in the workplace as well as at university or college. You can do a Foundation Degree in Customer Service Management.

college coursesA college course can also be a great route into this sector. To see which colleges have relevant courses in your region check out www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk.


19

careers insight

Apprenticeship TrainingLancaster & Morecambe College

Due to popular demand and thesuccess of our existing Apprenticeshipprogrammes Lancaster & MorecambeCollege have added NEW subject areasincluding:• Property Sales & Management• Sales• Equine Studies• Data Cabling and

Telecommunications

• Creative Media• Business & Finance Administration• Bar Management• Beauty• General Maintenance –

Construction• Teaching Assistant• Information Technology

Qualification• Business Improvement Techniques

Make Apprenticeships Work for YOUCall 01524 521413 or e-mail [email protected]

Zoe TaylorWorks at Lou-b-Lou as a full timestylistCompleted Level 2 and 3hairdressing apprenticeship

What is your job role?I have my own clients who I see ona regular basis. I help manage theSalon when my boss is off andsupervise our trainee hairdresser.

What is your favourite thingabout your job?Making people happy! I really enjoyworking on the weddings as well.

What were the best bits about theapprenticeship?I really enjoyed coming into college

and learning new anddifferent techniques, I learnta lot on the job but thenwhen I came into collegethey showed us differentways of cutting hair so Icould bring this informationback and share it with mycolleagues.

What would you say tosomeone who was thinkingabout doing the course?It’s hard work and you haveto be really committed toHairdressing as a career, if itis what you want to do thengo for it, it’s 100% worth it!

open doors regional training ad aug 11:Layout 1 03/08/2011 13:09 Page 1

THE CONSTrUCTION SECTOr

Of people in this sector are self employed

investment in green technology will create more

demand for construction skills

Supervisory roles can pay as

much as £45,000

a year!

there are over 2.35 million people employed in this

sector in the UK

Your work could be admired

by people for years to

come…

it’s not just for the boys – almost 200,000 women work in this sector too

construction Apprentices earn

around

£8,700 in their first year!

Number of new workers are needed in the sector each year

43,000 37% Apprenticeship Training

Lancaster & Morecambe College

Due to popular demand and thesuccess of our existing Apprenticeshipprogrammes Lancaster & MorecambeCollege have added NEW subject areasincluding:• Property Sales & Management• Sales• Equine Studies• Data Cabling and

Telecommunications

• Creative Media• Business & Finance Administration• Bar Management• Beauty• General Maintenance –

Construction• Teaching Assistant• Information Technology

Qualification• Business Improvement Techniques

Make Apprenticeships Work for YOUCall 01524 521413 or e-mail [email protected]

Zoe TaylorWorks at Lou-b-Lou as a full timestylistCompleted Level 2 and 3hairdressing apprenticeship

What is your job role?I have my own clients who I see ona regular basis. I help manage theSalon when my boss is off andsupervise our trainee hairdresser.

What is your favourite thingabout your job?Making people happy! I really enjoyworking on the weddings as well.

What were the best bits about theapprenticeship?I really enjoyed coming into college

and learning new anddifferent techniques, I learnta lot on the job but thenwhen I came into collegethey showed us differentways of cutting hair so Icould bring this informationback and share it with mycolleagues.

What would you say tosomeone who was thinkingabout doing the course?It’s hard work and you haveto be really committed toHairdressing as a career, if itis what you want to do thengo for it, it’s 100% worth it!

open doors regional training ad aug 11:Layout 1 03/08/2011 13:09 Page 1


21

careers insight

norTH wEST FoCUSThe construction sector has been continually on the rise here,

which means good news for future construction hopefuls! There

are a variety of sub-sectors in construction that you can work

in, from repair and maintenance to public housing and industrial.

The biggest sub-sector here is repair and maintenance; we have

a larger than average infrastructure sub-sector here.

Fast Facts• Non-constructionoperativesandarchitectsandtechnical

engineers are the most common job roles in construction here.

• TheNorthWesthasahigher-than-averagenumberof

electricians, wood traders, glaziers, technical staff and plant

mechanics/fitters.

Start learning!Want a course in the North West? Then turn to page 52 to find

out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you

who’s offering what course in your local area, or you could visit


it’s more than just bricks and mortar. the construction industry is worth billions and builds the world around us, from hospitals and houses to bridges and football stadiums. be a part of it!

CONSTrUCTION

bricklayingOne of the most popular trades and Apprenticeships, bricklaying is about building and repairing walls, using a range of materials and techniques. It can be really creative work too and you may be called on to produce decorative and interesting effects.Salary Range: £17,000 - £28,000

plasteringThere are two types of plastering roles: Solid Plasterers apply wet finishes to walls, ceilings and floors, and Fibrous Plasterers work in workshops to produce ornamental plasterwork as decoration.Salary Range: £17,000 - £28,000

plumbingThere never seems to be a plumber when you need one. Plumbing is the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures for drinking water systems, the drainage of waste and heating systems. It is one of the most varied roles, you could be working on existing pipe work or installing something new.Salary Range: £16,500 - £35,000

painting and decoratingApplying the finishing touch to surfaces, like wallpaper, gloss and emulsion; Painter and Decorators can work on construction sites or on commercial and domestic projects.Salary Range: £17,000 - £23,000

civil engineeringCivil engineering is about the design and construction of buildings and other important structures like pipelines, bridges, railways and roads. They provide technical support on construction projects to help turn complex designs into reality.Salary Range: £15,000 - £37,000

carpentry and joineryAs timber is so widely used, the building and installation of wood products, such as floors, staircases, doors and roof trusses, is vital work. Joiners can work on construction sites and domestic premises – bench joiners work in joiner’s shops on complex wood products.Salary Range: £17,000 - £31,000

ScaffoldingBuilding safe working platforms for construction workers to use when working on buildings and other structures. Scaffolders work on a variety of projects, including some very tall buildings.Salary Range: £17,000 - £26,000

SurveyingBuilding surveyors give detailed advice on the construction, design and maintenance of proposed or existing buildings. They have to work out the distances and angles between various points of the construction. Salary Range: £15,000 - £37,000

Construction is one of the UK’s biggest industries and turns over billions of pounds a year. This sector is responsible for creating the buildings and structures we rely on – the houses we live in, the motorways we drive across, the stadiums we watch matches in, the bridges we cross, and so on.

As you can imagine, it takes a lot of people working together to pull off major construction projects. Whether you like physical outdoor work or drawing technical plans in the office, there is a career path to suit everyone.

Here are some of the most popular trades. You can get into all of these areas through a Construction Apprenticeship:

SAlArYGenerally, tradespeople with a Level 2 qualification will earn around £325 a week and those with a Level 3 will earn close to £385 a week.

If you choose to do a Construction Apprenticeship, you can expect to earn around £8,700 the first year, £11,600 the next, and £15,350 the third year.

careers insight

22


USEFUl lInkSwww.bconstructive.co.uk - For information about

Construction careers.

www.bconstructive.co.uk/contact/offices/index - Find

your local Construction Skills office.

www.careersbox.co.uk - careers films on the web


CASE STUDYDaniel Roarty Apprenticeship:Carpentry&JoineryLevel3

After working in various jobs since leaving sixth form as I decided I wanted to learn a trade. My dad was a carpenter and after helping him out at work many times over the years I knew it was the trade that most interested me.

After completing my apprenticeship worked for the same company until I decided to travel to Australia. At first, I lived in Perth, Western Australia and worked for a builder doing carpentry work on home renovations. I decided I wanted to try and live permanently in Australia so needed to find a company to sponsor me. From the thirty companies I contacted, the one who offered me sponsorship was a luxury yacht builders. Although I had never worked on boats before, the owner of the company said the carpentry skills I had would be relevant.

My job role involves many different aspects of building the yachts and I use all the skills I learnt during my apprenticeship. Each yacht is totally custom made so everything on it is unique. My favourite thing about my work is the fact that I am learning lots of new skills because the job is a whole different side of carpentry.

My course at College was interesting and there was a good mix between practical and classroom work. The tutors were always there to help out if anybody struggled and their standard of teaching and level of knowledge was very high in both the classroom and workshop.I chose Lancaster & Morecambe College because I heard it was a good place to go. I would definitely recommend it to anyone and after three years I have a qualification which I can use anywhere in the world.

To find out more about the wide range of Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships available at Lancaster and Morecambe College visit www.lmc.ac.uk or call contact us on 0800 306 306 / [email protected]

GET QUAlIFIED!Vocational qualifications are the way to get ahead in this sector...

ApprenticeshipsThis is one of the best ways to get into the industry. The construction Apprenticeship scheme is a two-year programme for a level 2 award. To apply, you’ll need to have found an employer that will sponsor you. Get in touch with your local Construction Skills office for job opportunities and vacancies in your area (see useful links box). As well as those already mentioned on the previous page, here are the Apprenticeship frameworks relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 2:•Construction•ElectricalandElectronicsServicing•Engineering•Construction•Plumbing•Heating,Ventilating,AirConditioning&Refrigeration•ConstructionBuilding – Painter and Decorator, Maintenance Operative (repairs, tiling, plastering), Bricklayer, Craft Mason, Carpenter, Joiner, Woodmachinist •ConstructionTechnical,Supervision and Management – Team Leader•ConstructionCivilEngineering – Construction Operative, Formworker, Highways Maintenance, Plant Mechanic, Plant Operator, Tunnelling Operative •ConstructionSpecialist – Scaffolder, Roofer, Roof Tiler, Wall and Floor Tiler, Kitchen/Bathroom Fitter, Floor Layer, Dry Liner, Ceiling Fixer, Partitioner, Mastic Asphalter, Plasterer, Thatcher, Stone Mason, Insulation Installer

Advanced ApprenticeshipAdvanced Apprenticeships are equivalent to A Levels, but like Apprenticeships are advantageous for practical roles. Advanced Apprenticeships in construction are a one-year addition to the two-year apprenticeship. Here are the some of the advanced Apprenticeship frameworks relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 3:•BuildingServicesEngineeringTechnicians•Construction ElectricalandElectronicsServicing•Electrotechnical •EngineeringConstruction•Heating,Ventilating,AirConditioning&Refrigeration•Plumbing•Surveying•Construction Building – Bricklayer, Carpenter, Joiner •ConstructionTechnical,SupervisionandManagement– SiteTechnician,CivilEngineeringTechnician,WorkSupervisor•Construction Civil Engineering - Plant Mechanic •Construction Specialist – Plasterer, Roofer, Stone Mason, Wall and Floor Tiler

A Levels A Levels can either lead to university or a Foundation Degree, which are explained below. Most employers and universities value practical and scientific subjects; these demonstrate that you would be able to understand how things work. Here are some recommended A Level subjects, which could set you in the right direction:•Chemistry•Design&Technology •Electronics•Maths•Physics

Foundation DegreesA Foundation Degree is a higher education qualification which combines academic study with practical hands-on experience. Designed jointly by universities, colleges and employers, they should give you the right skills to be ready for employment.

They are university-level qualifications and are equivalent to the first two years of an Honours Degree. A typical full-time Foundation Degree takes two years to complete, and are different from Honours Degrees as they usually involve learning in the workplace as well as at university or college.



23

careers insight

How do I get to work in a theatre? What opportunitiesare available to me? What grades do I need?

How do I get to work in a theatre? What opportunities are available to me? What grades do I need?

All of these questions and more can be answered at www.getintotheatre.org,where you’ll find the latest training and job opportunities, advice from professionals already in the industry and loads more...

What are the best routes into the live music industry? Whatroles are there? Where can I find work experience opportunites?

All of these questions and more can be answered at www.getintolivemusic.org,where you’ll find advice from industry professionals, the opportunity to askthem questions, training & workshop events and loads more...

CrEATIvE, DIgITAl & mEDIA SECTOr

Size of the tv workforce50,100

Want to work with famous actors on a tv set?

people work in creative Media

in England

506,000

(percentage of female

employees in creative media

industries)

39%

You could chase down hot stories for a newspaper

£22,300 per year (average wage in the publishing industry)

if you’re a creative person,

there are so many exciting career paths before you…

Lots of self-employed or freelance workers in this sector

20% 12%of animation

workforceof publishing

workforce


25

careers insight

From fashion and film to design and new media, it’s all about the creative buzz in this exciting, fast-paced industry. vocational learning is a great way to get your foot in the door!

USEFUl lInkScourses.skillset.org – Great place to search for media courses.

www.skillset.org – The sector skills council for creative, digital

and media.www.ccskills.org.uk – Creative and Cultural Skills.

www.bbc.co.uk/workexperience – work experience

placements at the BBC.www.careersbox.co.uk - Careers films on the web.


graphic designWe live in a world of visual messages: websites, billboards, magazines, signs, packaging, etc. A graphic designer uses type (lettering) and images to get information across and make an impact. The wide use of graphic design means you could be working on any variety of projects.Earnings: Salaries start anywhere between £13,000 and £18,000 a year.

Film & tvWe all know who the actors are, but what about the hundreds of names that scroll by during the end credits? They all perform technical roles that equal a great film: production assistants, camera operators, set designers, lighting technicians, directors, special effects people, etc. This is one part of the sector where there are similar levels of male and female employees.Earnings: Salaries start quite low (£12,000 a year), but can build up with experience and hard work.

performing artsIt takes years of practice, talent, hard work (and luck) to be a performer, but there are plenty of supporting roles on offer. You could help light the productions, dress the actors in wardrobe or man the ticket booth – all without the risk of stage fright!Earnings: Salaries are between £12,000 and £16,000 a year.

interactive mediaInteractive media or ‘new media’ covers any digital product that responds to the user’s action by presenting pop-ups, text, video and sound. Facebook is a perfect example – others include iPhone apps, viral ads and dynamic websites. It’s all things digital, and it’s a fast-paced industry where technology pushes forward each day.Earnings: As creative and IT-type role, salaries are quite high for the industry – you could make between £16,000 and £20,000 a year.

CrEATIvE, DIgITAl& mEDIA

Forget the starving artist. If you’re a creative person, there are many ways to have a successful career. This industry covers things that play a big role in our everyday lives, from the television we watch to the websites we click on. Because it’s such an exciting sector, competition for jobs can be high so work experience and on-the-job training is highly recommended.

Herearesomeofthebiggestareaswithinthissector:

computer gamesIt takes a team of creative types to produce something like Call of Duty – level designers who map out the game, graphic designers who imagine what it all looks like, and games testers to make sure there’s no glitches. There are just under 7,000 people working in this sector.Earnings: Salaries start between £15,000 and £19,000 a year.

FashionThis stylish industry needs fashion designers to dream up the next hot look, pattern cutters to turn the designs into real clothes, buyers to stock shops with the best trends, managers to make sure everything runs to budget, plus many more hard-working people.Earnings: Starting around £12,000-£15,000.

publishingWithout this industry, the media you’re reading wouldn’t exist. From journalists looking for the big story to book editors crafting an author’s manuscript into a bestseller, this is an industry for people who love the written word. Many publishing companies are small and specialised, focusing on a particular niche type of publishing.Earnings: Starting between £15,000 & £20,000 a year.

AnimationIt’s more than just cartoons – films like Toy Story proved just how profitable animation can be. In addition to films, you’ll find animated content on TV, in films, adverts, website and computer and video games. Earnings: Between £16,000 and £20,000.

careers insight

26


GET QUAlIFIED!There are plenty of vocational & academic courses in this sector...

ApprenticeshipsThe creative Apprenticeship is a way to get your foot in the door

of this exciting industry. You’ll get a job with an employer and do

half of your learning on the job, and half in the classroom with a

college or training provider. The work experience will give you a

real advantage over other candidates. Here are the Apprenticeship

frameworks relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 2:

•Creative•Design•FashionandTextiles

•Freelance(MusicPractitioner)•GamesTesting

Advanced ApprenticeshipsAdvanced Apprenticeships are equivalent to A Levels, but like

Apprenticeships are advantageous for practical roles. Advanced

Apprenticeships help you become more qualified whilst gaining

employment experience. Here are the Apprenticeship frameworks

relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 3:

•Creative•CreativeandDigitalMedia•Design

•FashionandTextiles•Freelance(MusicPractitioner)

•PhotoImagingforStaffPhotographers

A Levels A Levels can either lead to university or a Foundation Degree,

which are explained below. Most employers and universities

will value subjects that demonstrate you have solid base level

knowledge and would be able to develop skills relevant to the

industry. Here are some recommended A Level subjects, which

could set you in the right direction:•ArtandDesign•Dance•DramaandTheatreStudies

•FineArt•GraphicDesign•HistoryofArt•MediaStudies

•Music/MusicTechnology•PerformanceStudies

•PerformingArts•Photography•3DDesign

Foundation DegreesA Foundation Degree is a higher education qualification which

combines academic study with practical hands-on experience.

Designed jointly by universities, colleges and employers, they should

give you the right skills to be ready for employment.

They are university-level qualifications and are equivalent to the

first two years of an honours degree. A typical full-time Foundation

Degree takes two years to complete, and are different from Honours

Degrees as they usually involve learning in the workplace as well

as at university or college. They are available in a range of subjects,

such as creative writing or animation.

college coursesA college course can also be a great route into this sector. To see

which colleges have relevant courses in your region check out

www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk.

CASE STUDYMohammad Reza Mojaddar Asil (Jordan)

Jordan is a highly committed and motivated learner, and has enjoyed many successes in the last academic year 10-11. He constantly strives for and achieves high grades throughout the disciplines within the performing arts. As well as being dedicated member of the performing arts team, Jordan represented the college at open evenings and college events as a student ambassador. He even appeared in this year’s college video and was the ‘face’ of the college in its marketing campaigns.

Jordan’s commitment to his studies paid off this year when he was the youngest student ever to make it through all the stages at the Central School of Speech and Drama.

Jordan even took the time to mentor other learners through the UCAS process. Last summer, Jordan represented the college at the BYFA Summer School and landed a leading role in their forthcoming film R-evolution.

He won a Greater Manchester Aimhigher Award this year and he is now studying BA (Hons) Contemporary Theatre & Performance at the Manchester School Of Theatre (Manchester Metropolitan University), and his latest achievement is winning the Stockport Young Star Award. He also recently won the Stockport College Major Prize for the academic year 2010-11 which is the highest profile prize that a student can win.

Jordan is a talented, polite, intelligent and modest individual who is a great example of what can be achieved at Stockport College.

For more inrofmation call 0161 958 3100 or visit www.stockport.ac.uk

norTH wEST FoCUSA lot of people in our region are employed in this industry, and it is growing. We have the largest number of broadcasting

employees outside of London. If you like the idea of not being tied down to one employer, freelancing is quite common in this

industry. The roles available vary from content production and photo imaging to publishing and computer game production.

Manchester is opening an entire ‘Media City’, set to train and nurture the next generation of creative talent, you.

Fast facts:•Over34,000peopleworkinthisindustryhere.•TheBBCarerelocating5ofitsdepartmentstoManchesterin2011/12.

•Manchester’snewMediaCityissettorivalothercreativehubsaroundtheworld.

Start learning!Want to find a course in the North West? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell

you who’s offering what course in your local area, or you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk


27

careers insight

Myfuture

If you’re leaving school or college this year and aren’t sure ofthe next step – take a look at the full-time courses, degrees andwork based apprenticeships available at Myerscough College.There’s a great choice of subjects, excellent teaching andamazing facilities! Plus superb regional transport links andgreat on-site accommodation for 750 students.

Agriculture - Animal Studies - Arboriculture - Cricket - Ecology andConservation - Equine Studies - Farriery - Fishing Studies - Floral Design - Football Coaching - Garden Design - Golf Coaching - Horticulture - Landscape - Mechanisation - Motorsports - Photography - Rugby - Sports Studies - Sportsturf - Veterinary Nursing - Dedicated Access Courses

To receive a prospectus call 01995 642211or visit www.myersco ugh.ac.ukMystudiesMysuccessMyrewardsMyfutureMyambitionMycourseMyerscough

MORNINGSEVERY MONTH • CHECK WEBSITE FOR DATES

Myerscough College, Bilsborrow, Preston, Lancashire. PR3 0RY

My Future 210x297 Open Doors 30451_Layout 1 05/04/2011 14:13 Page 1

ENvIrONmENTAl & lAND BASED SECTOr

(of workers in the sector are self employed)

42%You could work in an area of natural beauty

£60,000 per year (Experienced farm managers earnings)

On average you’ll earn £100 more a week in this sector

than you would in the retail, hotel or restaurant industries

You could protect wildlife, grow the home turf of your

football club or care for animals

So, why spend your life tied to a desk? continue reading to start

growing your potential…

Almost 50,000 people are

employed in veterinary activities

in the UK

50,000

From 2010 – 2020 lots more workers will be needed in the sector:

40,000 people with level 1 Qualifications47,000 people with level 2 Qualifications44,000 people with level 3 Qualifications34,000 people with level 4 Qualifications


29

careers insight

norTH wEST FoCUSAround 87,000 people are employed in this sector here. If you don’t like the idea of working for someone else then perhaps this is the industry for you; over half of the workforce here are self-employed. There are a number of areas within this sector that you could work in, including floristry, landscaping, animal care and environmental conservation. The sub-sector with the most employees here is agricultural crops and livestock.

Fast facts:• Therearearound18,000environmental

and land based businesses in the North West.

• 81%ofemployeesworkfulltime.• TheNorthWesthasabiggerconcentration

of skilled trades in this sector than the country as a whole.

Start learning!Want to find an environmental course in the North West? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering what course in your local area, or you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Not everyone has to spend their career tied to a desk – in this sector, you could be one of the lucky people who get to work outside. It’s an exciting time to join this sector, Britain is trying to produce more of its own food, fight climate change, and protect areas of natural beauty. There are lots of opportunities to make a difference to the planet, and future generations.

So what can you do? Loads! This sector covers farming; protecting the environment; landscaping; growing flowers; caring for animals and wildlife; maintaining the turf on pitches and much, much more.

Herearesomeofthemainsub-sectors:

horticulture & landscapingThis is about creating and looking after designed landscapes in cities and the countryside. It covers work like maintaining sports turf, gardens, parks, golf courses and even business grounds. This role can be very hands on or, as in the case of landscape managers, can focus on environmental knowledge and advising on the long-term care and development of sites.Earnings: From £12,000 to £20,000 a year.

AgricultureAs the UK strives to increase its own food production, opportunity is growing in this area. Agriculture covers work in farms, dairies and ‘agribusinesses’ or companies that supply the industry with things like animal feed, fertilisers and farm machinery. A growing area in the industry is the role of agricultural advisors and consultants who offer specialist support to farmers on specific areas, like crop production or livestock.Earnings: From £12,000 to £17,000 a year.

Animal careFrom running a cattery to training horses, this career is for the animal lovers. Animal care is about handling, supervising and caring for animals, from small domestic pets to wildlife. Includes work with breeders, pet shops, groomers, animal welfare charities and zoos. Veterinary nurses are some of the most popular roles in the industry and can range from household pets, exotic animals and equine specialism’s.Earnings: From £11,000 to £13,000 a year for animal care. £14,000 to £22,000 for veterinary nurses.

Environmental conservationThis area is for people who are passionate about environmental issues. It’s not just about saving the planet – conservation is all about coming up with solutions that will lead to a more sustainable, healthy environment. From park rangers to farm managers environmental considerations are very important across this sector. Environmental policy officers can work for the government, industry or charities.Earnings: From £15,000 to £20,000 a year.

Land-based engineeringThese are the people who design, manufacture and maintain agricultural equipment, like combine harvesters and tractors. Working for dealerships and manufacturers, these engineers use technical knowledge to solve problems for the agricultural industry. Roles in this area could involve field testing, technical support and the education of customers.Earnings: From £20,000 to £26,000 a year.

From agriculture and animal care to conservation and horticulture, there are many paths towards a rewarding career in this sector…

ENvIrONmENTAl& lAND BASED

careers insight

30


USEFUl lInkSwww.land-force.com - Jobsite for land-based careers

www.lantra.co.uk - The Sector Skills Council for

the industry.www.lantracoursefinder.co.uk - Helps you find a course in

your area.www.growcareers.info - Careers in horticulture for young

people.www.careersbox.co.uk - Careers films on the web.


GET QUAlIFIED!There are plenty of vocational routes into this sector...

ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships are the recommended route into this sector. You’ll get a job with an employer and do half of your learning on the job, and half in the classroom with a college or training provider. There are Apprenticeships ranging from agriculture to animal care, and more, here are the Apprenticeship frameworks relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 2:•Agriculture•AnimalCare•EnvironmentalConservation•Equine•Fencing•Floristry•GameandWildlifeManagement•Horticulture•Land-basedEngineering•TreesandTimber•VeterinaryNursing

Advanced ApprenticeshipAdvanced Apprenticeships are equivalent to A Levels, but like Apprenticeships are advantageous for practical roles. Advanced Apprenticeships help you become more qualified whilst gaining employment experience. Here are the Apprenticeship frameworks relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 3:•Agriculture•AnimalCare•EnvironmentalConservation•Equine•Farriery•Floristry•GameandWildlifeManagement•Horticulture•Land-basedEngineering•VeterinaryNursing

A Levels A Levels can either lead to university or a Foundation Degree, which are explained below. Most employers and universities will value subjects that demonstrate you have solid base level knowledge and would be able to develop skills relevant to the industry. Here are some recommended A Level subjects, which could set you in the right direction:•Biology•EnvironmentalScience•Geology

Foundation DegreesA Foundation Degree is a higher education qualification which combines academic study with practical hands-on experience. Designed jointly by universities, colleges and employers, they should give you the right skills to be ready for employment.

They are university-level qualifications and are equivalent to the first two years of an honours degree. A typical full-time Foundation Degree takes two years to complete, and are different from Honours Degrees as they usually involve learning in the workplace as well as at university or college. They are available in a range of subjects, from trees and timber to farm management.


CASE STUDYPaul comes to the rescue at Real Madrid

Paul Burgess, Head Groundsman for Spanish Football giants Real Madrid, demonstrates that the sky’s the limit for those with determination and talent.

Paul joined Blackpool Football Club as an Apprentice Groundsman after leaving school at the age of 16 and immediately started his three-year course at Myerscough College in 1994, during which time he successfully applied for the Assistant Groundsman post at Arsenal.

When he began work at the club, then based at Highbury, he continued his studies on a pioneering distance-learning programme provided by tutors at Myerscough. He acknowledges that the practical experience he gained, alongside his qualifications and references from his tutors, helped launch his meteoric career.

He said: “I’m very lucky to have had the opportunity to study at such a fantastic college. It’s no coincidence that so many top venues around the world feature groundsmen who have trained at Myerscough College. The facilities, the quality of the teaching and the support they give is second to none.”

Considered by many in the profession to be the best at what he does, Paul swiftly progressed to Head Groundsman at Arsenal in 2000 and oversaw the design and construction of the club’s new grounds at the Emirates Stadium.

He acted as an advisor to UEFA for the 2004 and 2008 European Championships, the UEFA Cup and the Champions League Finals at various stadiums around the world before he was headhunted by Real Madrid in 2009 and asked to rescue their pitch at the Santiago Bernabéu.

For more information contact Myerscough College, Bilsborrow, Preston, PR3 0RY. Tel: 01995 642222www.myerscough.ac.uk


31

careers insight

SpOrT & FITNESS SECTOr

Of the workforce in this sector is female

58%

Love sport?

You could make

a career out of it ...

With the 2012 Olympics

around the corner, this sector is set

to boom over the next few

years!

What do employees in this sector do?

Sport and recreation – 311,200 employees

health and Fitness – 43,200 employeesplaywork – 126,600 employeesOutdoors – 21,900 employees

£30,000 per year

(You could be earning more than this as senior staff)

16-24 year olds make up 24% of the employees in this sector

Don’t want to be stuck behind a desk? get

paid to enjoy your hobbies ...

More than 2 million people volunteer to get involved in sports every week. it’s a good way to get ahead with a sporting career!


33

careers insight

You don’t have to be a world-class athlete for a career in sport. With the build-up to London 2012, now’s the perfect time to get involved in this booming sector…

Many people think the only way you can get a career in sport is to become a professional athlete or a PE teacher – but this couldn’t be further from the truth. For example, behind every professional football player are the people running the club, maintaining the pitch, training the players, keeping the spectators safe and so on – and that’s just football.

This sector is about more than just sport – it’s about promoting health and fitness, helping people enjoy the outdoors and public health. No matter what your interests or physical abilities are, there’s a rewarding career path for you.

Here are some of the main areas within this thriving industry – you can take a vocational route into any of them.

SpOrT & FITNESS

Exercise & FitnessThis is about helping people stay fit and healthy, and includes roles like personal trainer, fitness instructor, yoga instructor and swimming teacher. You could work for a gym or leisure centre, or be self-employed and choose your own hours. All types of people need fitness instructors, from children to the elderly, or high level athletes.

coachingCoaches are needed to teach skills and techniques at all levels, from beginner to professional. They help teams and individuals train to reach their full potential. Coaches need to get a special qualification recognised by their sport’s national governing body. These roles vary greatly depending on the sport and skill level, volunteering is a good way to get started in this career.

playworkPlayworkers organise and lead play activities for children (aged between 4 and 15) in after-school clubs, play schemes and youth clubs. This is one of the job roles in which you can use a Foundation Degree to get ahead.

Activity LeadershipOutdoor activity instructors help people enjoy themselves in the great outdoors. They lead a wide range of expeditions and trips, such as walking, hiking, canoeing and rock climbing. You need good people and leadership skills, and to be a natural with young people to be a successful activity leader.

Spectator controlEvent stewards and marshals make sure crowds are safe and under control at matches and other large events. You can do an NVQ in spectator safety, some of the key areas include: teamwork, conflict management and dealing with emergencies.

OperationsIt takes all sorts of people to run a leisure centre or gym, from leisure centre assistants and managers to cleaning and maintenance staff. Sports management can include anything from making sure the facilities are maintained properly to making sure everything financial is in order too.

What will i earn?For all of these areas, salaries start around £12,000 and can rise to £25,000 with experience and qualifications. Senior staff could earn more than £30,000.

norTH wEST FoCUSMost of the sport and fitness employees are aged between 16-24- so you’ll fit right in! The sector is about to get bigger too, the world’s biggest sporting event- The Olympic Games- is going to be held in London in 2012; they’re going to need a lot of employees to keep it running smoothly! The new 2012 Sport England initiative will bring bigger opportunities and budgets to the North West.

Fast facts:• Coachingbursariesareavailableinthe North West.• The‘PersonalBest’programme,inspiredby

the London 2012 Olympics provides even more opportunities.

Start learning!Want to find a course in the North West? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering what course in your local area, or you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

careers insight

34


GET QUAlIFIED!How to get your foot in the door...

ApprenticeshipsThe Apprenticeship in active leisure and learning

covers a wide range of career paths, whether you’d

like to coach, be a fitness instructor, lead outdoor

activities or run a leisure centre. You’ll learn on the job

while attending a college or training provider on day

release, and earn the right qualifications that will help

you progress. So even though this is the only NVQ

level 2 Apprenticeship framework in the sector it can

take you a number of directions:• ActiveLeisureandLearning

Advanced ApprenticeshipAdvanced Apprenticeships are equivalent to A

Levels, but like Apprenticeships are advantageous for

practical roles. Advanced Apprenticeships help you

become more qualified whilst gaining employment

experience. Here are the Apprenticeship frameworks

relevant to the sector, all of these are NVQ level 3:

• ActiveLeisureandLearning• FacilitiesManagement• SportingExcellence

A LevelsA Levels can either lead to university or a Foundation

Degree, which are explained below, but which ones

are right for you depend on what role you want to do.

As there are so many varied careers in the industry,

from coaching to operations, no single subject is right

for everyone, but here are some which could set you

in the right direction:• Biology(Human)• LeisureStudies• SportandPhysicalEducation

Foundation DegreesA Foundation Degree is a higher education

qualification which combines academic study with

practical hands-on experience. Designed jointly by

universities, colleges and employers, they should give

you the right skills to be ready for employment.

They are university-level qualifications and are

equivalent to the first two years of an Honours

Degree. A typical full-time Foundation Degree

takes two years to complete, and are different from

honours degrees as they usually involve learning in

the workplace as well as at university or college. They

can be done in playwork and youth studies.

college coursesA college course can also be a great route into this

sector. To see which colleges have relevant courses in

your region check out www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk.

USEFUl lInkSwww.skillsactive.com - The Sector Skills Council for this

sector.www.careers-in-sport.co.uk - Learn about different careers

in sport here.

www.careersbox.co.uk - Careers films on the web.


CASE STUDYIan aims high

Once a gang member at a very young age, Ian Perkins 21, knows only too well the tragedy of taking the wrong path in life and losing friends due to crime and unrest. Looking for his second chance in life and to prove wrong those people who once doubted him, Ian’s determination and will to succeed led him to Lifetime.

Enrolling into the Lifetime Fitness Academy and with the support of tutor Mark Pemberton, Ian successfully completed his Level 2 Fitness Instructor Apprenticeship; not only could Ian earn while he learned, but he was able to gain ‘on the job’ skills and a true understanding of the industry.

Ian says: “I have turned my life around, influenced people and shown never to give up on anyone. In the space of just 20 months I have come from “just an apprentice” to becoming the youngest ever Health and Fitness Manager of the largest Fitness First club in Europe. I have received two awards from my employer on consecutive months, which has never been achieved by anyone in the company. I always aimed high from the very start and never gave up on that goal.”

A bright future awaits Ian; he now teaches ‘PT Business’ courses and has worked hard to establish himself in the fitness industry. “Eventually I want to have a say in how the industry is run. I feel that my passion behind health and fitness can influence change; my ambition is to aim high!”

For more information please get in touchT: 0870 120 1207W: www.lifetimetraining.co.uk/looking-for-a-jobE: [email protected]


35

careers insight

We offer a different way of learning that leads to great jobs with exciting prospects.COURSES AVAILABLE IN:-n Adventuren Agriculture & Land Managementn Animal Management & Vet Nursingn Businessn Countryside & the Environment

n Land-based Technologyn Equinen Forestry & Arboriculturen Horticulturen Motorsport Engineeringn Outdoor learning

n Forensic Sciencen Childcaren Health & Social Caren Skills for working lifen Floristry

These areour classrooms.

Imagine what the leisure facilitieslook like.

Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0AHT: 01768 893400 E: [email protected]

www.newtonrigg.ac.uk








Designing websites

organising holidays

making big

money deals

Travelling around the

world

repairing sports cars

leading outdoor

expeditions

Helping to cure life threatening

diseases

Cooking five-star meals

Fitting shop frontsrenovating

old houses

Caring for

animalsworking behind

the scenes in TV

Saving the

planet

ImAgINE A CArEEr...









37

careers insight

YOUr CArEEr, YOUr CHOICEWondering what other careers are out there?here are some of the other sectors in your region...

Armed Forces Britain’s armed forces – the Army, Royal Navy, RAF and MoD – all invest a lot in their personnel to give them an education that’s relevant in the civilian world as well as in the services. They all offer Apprenticeships so recruits can earn nationally recognised trade qualifications alongside their regular training. For example, a cook for the Royal Navy could also complete a chef Apprenticeship. Each organisation offers different schemes, so visit their websites for more details.

Salary: Starting around £13,400 the first year, with excellent benefits and progression. Qualifications:The armed forces offer Apprenticeships in many areas, including Engineering, Fitting, Maintenance, Cookery, IT, Admin, Marine Engineering and more.

business & Finance This sector is about money – saving it, borrowing it, managing it and most of all, making lots more of it. It’s the UK’s most global industry and covers a wide range of services and products that everyone uses like bank accounts, mortgages, pensions, credit cards and insurance. The perk of working with money is that salaries tend to be higher than average.

Job roles: Accounts assistant, payroll assistant, admin assistant, bank cashier, trainee accountant. Salary: Starting between £13,000 and £20,000. Qualifications:Apprenticeships in Business & Admin and Financial Services; A-level Traineeships; Foundation Degrees.

Energy & renewablesThis essential sector deals with the utilities we rely on: water, electricity and gas. It also covers waste management and alternative sources of power like nuclear energy, wind power and solar energy. Careers in this sector cover the distribution and supply of gas; the generation and transmission of electricity; the collection and purification of water; the treatment of sewage; and nuclear fuel processing. Apprenticeships are a recognised route into this industry and offer excellent career progression.

Job roles: Gas network engineer, gas service technician, wastewater plant worker, process operator, decommissioning operative.

Salary: Starting anywhere between £12,000 and £20,000 a year. Qualifications:Apprenticeships in Gas, Nuclear and Utilities; Foundation Degrees, including Power Distribution.

EngineeringAt the heart of every technological advance is an engineer. Chemical engineers create new fuels to keep vehicles moving; civil engineers design our railways and roads; and aerospace engineers design the most modern aircraft. Engineers use problem solving, creativity and imagination to come up with answers to problems. The main challenge is doing more with less. How can they make something more cheaply, quickly and effectively than ever before? Engineering is one of the most varied sectors out there, with specialist areas like chemical, mechanical, electrical, aerospace, marine and defence.

Job roles: Maintenance fitter, welder, mechanical engineering technician.Salary: Starting anywhere between £15,000 and £18,000 per year.Qualifications: Apprenticeships in Engineering; Foundation Degrees.

careers insight

38


Food & Drink Food and drink is one of the largest industries in the UK – in fact, it even helped pull the country out of the recession. This sector is about taking what’s grown by farmers and transforming it into our favourite foods and beverages. It takes a lot of people working together to make this happen, which means loads of career paths on offer. You could be processing ingredients, fixing machines on the production floor, processing meat, baking cakes or testing quality.

Job roles: Production operative, bottling operative, baker, warehouse worker. Salary: Starting between £11,000 and £17,000 a year. Qualifications:Food Manufacture Apprenticeships; Foundation Degree in Food & Drink Management.

health & Social care If you’ve got a big heart and want to work with people, then a career in Health and Social Care could be for you. This sector is about helping people live healthy, full lives. Health care covers careers in medicine (nurses, physiotherapists, dental nurses, etc) while social care is about supporting people with special needs. Most people in this sector work for the NHS while the rest are employed by private practices. Because healthcare is an essential part of our society, there’ll always be jobs on offer for qualified people. In fact, this is one sector that continues to thrive during recessions.

Job roles: Care assistant, nursing assistant, dental nurse, porter. Salary: Starting between £13,000 and £16,000 a year. Qualifications: Apprenticeships and Foundation degrees in Health and Social Care.

hair & beauty This industry is all about helping people look good and feel better about themselves. It’s a booming sector that makes billions each year. There are many different paths within this sector – hairdressing, nail services, beauty therapy, spa therapy – and all of them require common skills: creativity, the ability to work on your feet for long hours, good hand-eye co-ordination and up-to-date knowledge of what’s in (and what’s out). Job roles: Hairdresser, spa therapist, beauty therapist, aromatherapist Salary: Starting between £13,000 and £16,000 a year. Qualifications: Apprenticeships from Hairdressing to Beauty Therapy; Foundation Degree in Salon Management.

it & telecoms From mobile phones and satellite TV to broadband and fibre optics, IT & Telecoms are a major part of life – it helps us keep in touch with our friends, stay entertained, conduct business and more. The IT side of things is all about computers and information systems – designing them, developing them, making them, selling them and installing them. Telecoms is a broad term for any technology that transmits

information, like phone lines, broadband, TV, mobile phones and satellites. This industry includes internet suppliers, mobile phone companies and the big companies like BT and SKY.

Job roles: IT trainer, helpdesk assistant, telecoms technician, customer service representative. Salary: Starting £16,000 - £20,000 for IT and £12,000 - £15,000 for Telecoms. Qualifications: IT Apprenticeships and Foundation Degrees.

Manufacturing From the cars on the motorway to the clothes in your wardrobe, many of the things we rely on have been manufactured. This sector is all about making things on a massive scale: cars, TVs, clothes, aeroplanes, fuel… it’s a very important industry. There are many career paths in the sector, from operating machinery that makes plastics or testing the quality of finished engine parts.

Job roles: Production and process engineers, technicians, maintenance engineers, welders and machine setters. Salary: Starting between £13,000 and £18,000 a year. Qualifications:Manufacturing Apprenticeships and Foundation Degrees.


39

careers insight

Search ‘Take Off in Aerospace’

@takeoffnw

STArT lEArnInGWant to find a course in one of these sectors? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering what in your local area.

Motor vehicles This sector deals with all aspects of cars, vans and motorcycles – selling them, fixing them, servicing them and even rescuing stranded drivers. There are lots of career paths on offer, from technical to customer service based roles; maintenance and repair; sales; body and paint operations; roadside assistance; and fitting and selling motor vehicle parts.

Job roles: Maintenance and repair technician, sales assistant, fast-fit technician, body repair technician.Salary: Starting between£13,000 and £18,000 per year.Qualifications:Apprenticeships in Motor Vehicles; Engineering Foundation Degrees (Automotive specific).

public Services In this sector, your work could help other people and improve your local community. Public services are an essential part of our society – education, housing, the police, and the fire service are all services that the government provides for its citizens (that’s you and us). In this sector, you could help organise a community arts programme, work for a housing association or support a teacher in the classroom. Your local council is a large employer in this sector. Contact them directly for job vacancies.

Job roles: Classroom assistant, nursery nurse, admin assistant, youth support worker. Salary: Starting between £13,000 and £16,000 a year. Qualifications: Apprenticeships & Foundation Degrees in Public Services.

retailRetail is about the sale of products and services to consumers (that’s people like you walking around the shops). It covers high street shops, supermarkets, independent shops, large national chains and more. It’s also one of the most fun and young industries out there, with more than one third of the workforce under 25 years old. Whether your strengths are creativity or organisation, there’s a role for you in Retail. The main areas are: store operations, buying, visual merchandising, and management.

Job roles: Sales assistant, visual merchandiser, team leader, buyer.Salary: Starting between £12,000 and £18,000 per year.Qualifications: Apprenticeships and Foundation Degrees in Retailing, Employer sponsored traineeships.

transport & Logistics This sector deals with all sorts of vehicles and their different purposes – the cars and motorcycles we drive, the lorries that transport goods, the trains and buses that travel across the country, even the aeroplanes that arrive and depart from our airports. All of these vehicles require skilled mechanics to keep them running, drivers to operate them safely, and organised people behind the scenes keeping everything to schedule. Many jobs involve manual and mechanical skills, however many roles deal with the public, so people skills are important too.

Job roles: Vehicle technician, bodywork repairer, rail engineering technician, lorry driver, baggage handler. Salary: Starting between £12,000 and £17,000 a year. Qualifications: Apprenticeships and Foundation Degrees.

travel & hospitality This sector helps people enjoy themselves during their free time and holidays. People working in this industry arrange our holidays, cook for us in restaurants, serve drinks at the bar, pamper us in salons, and more. It’s a buzzing, exciting sector with many opportunities to work in the UK and abroad. You could be a chef, a spa therapist or even a member of air cabin crew! While working hours often take place when other people are enjoying themselves (evenings and weekends), many prefer escaping the typical 9-5 lifestyle.

Job roles: Travel agent, waiter, trainee chef, air cabin crewmember. Salary: Starting between £11,000 and £16,000 a year. Qualifications: Travel Services and Hospitality & Catering Apprenticeships; Foundation Degrees in Hospitality Management.

41


41

careers insight

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take a look at some of the major opportunities in the North West

YOUr rEgION

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CheshireKeycolleges:Aquinas College, Macclesfield College, Mid-Cheshire College, Priestley College, Reaseheath College, Riverside College, Sir John Deane’s College, South Cheshire College, Warrington Collegiate, West Cheshire College.Keyuniversity: University of Chester.

Cheshire is home to a number of large employers in a number of sectors. There are plenty of careers with international leaders in the food and drink industry, particularly packaging; Quinn Glass is a packaging technology leader based in Cheshire. British Salt also call the region home – Cheshire has been famous for Salt production since Roman times! Creative industries are a big employer in the Cheshire and Warrington area. There are almost 1,800 businesses in the sector in the Cheshire East area alone. McCann Erickson is one of the highest ranking advertising agencies in the world, and they have an office in Prestbury.

Keycity:Chester Chester is a strong financial centre for the country; this sector employs over 12% of Chester’s population. Not surprising when Chester houses Bank of America, HBOS and Marks and Spencer Financial Services.

Keyemployers: Bank of America, HBOS, Marks and Spencer, Airbus UK14-19 prospectuses: www.wayahead-cheshireeast.co.uk, www.wayahead-warrington.co.uk

CumbriaKeycolleges:Barrow-in-Furness Sixth Form College, Carlisle

College, Furness College, Kendal College, Lakes College.

Keyuniversity: University of Cumbria.

Known for its beautiful Lake District, Cumbria is a hive of tourist

activity. This is thanks to the Lake District National Park (the largest

in the UK) and the Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Site. A huge 1 in 4 jobs

here are in the tourism industry, which brings in around 16 million

visitors each year. Other cultural industries are important here too:

creative industries, sport and leisure, and heritage together provide

over 15% of employment in the whole of Cumbria.

Keycity:CarlisleCarlisle, Cumbria’s only city provides plenty of jobs in the service

sector. Private firms in the service sector, including hotels and

restaurants for example, combined with public sector services,

account for nearly three quarters of the employment here.

Keyplaces:Carlisle, Barrow-in-Furness, Penrith and Kendal

Key employers: Nestle, Center Parcs, Kimberley Clark, The

Stobart Group14-19 prospectus: www.applycumbria.co.uk

wElComE To THE norTH wEST

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44


LancashireKeycolleges: Accrington & Rossendale College, Ashton-under-Lyme Sixth Form College, Blackburn College,

Blackpool and The Flyde College, Blackpool Sixth Form College, Burnley College, Cardinal Newman College,

Lancaster and Morecombe College, Myerscough College, Nelson and Colne College, Preston College, Runshaw

College, St Mary’s College.

Keyuniversities:University of Central Lancashire, Lancaster University.

Lancashire is home to a world class aerospace and advanced manufacturing industry, with an estimated 19,500

employees. This contributes nearly a quarter of the manufacturing jobs in the county. International businesses like

Rolls Royce Jet Engines and BAE Systems make use of Lancashire’s outstanding facilities to develop aerospace

technology. Manufacturing firms like Leyland Trucks also call the region home and the region is also important in the

Energy sector. With a heritage of nuclear energy output British Energy operate several power plants in the region.

Tourism is key to Lancashire’s economy. Blackpool, the UK’s most popular seaside town, is another of the UK’s

big tourist destinations that is found in the North West, providing opportunities in the leisure and tourism sector.

Lancashire is also home to several other tourist destinations such as Lancaster, Morecambe, Lytham St Annes

and Fleetwood. Both Blackpool and Morecambe are investing more money into tourism, which means even more

opportunities for local businesses and careers in this sector.

Keyplaces: Lancaster, Preston, Blackburn and Blackpool

Keyemployers: Rolls Royce, BAE Systems, James Hall & Co

14-19 prospectus: www.steps4me.co.uk

Greater ManchesterKeycolleges:Bolton College, Bolton Sixth Form College, Bury College, Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College, Holy Cross College, Hopwood Hall College, Loreto College, Manchester College, Oldham College, Oldham Sixth Form College, Rochdale Sixth Form College, Salford City College, St John Rigby College, Stockport College, Tameside College, Trafford College, Wigan and Leigh College, Winstanley College, Xaverian College.

Keyuniversities: University of Bolton, The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Salford.

Greater Manchester makes up around 40% of the regions overall economy so there are opportunities in most sectors. The creative sector is big here. As well as having a reputation for musical exports like Oasis an entire ‘Media City’ has been developed in Salford Quays. This creative industry hub is now home to the BBC, which has moved 5 departments here from London, as well as northern classics like Coronation Street.As with many big cities retail and customer service are big employers here. The Trafford Centre, providing 8000 retail sector jobs in one building alone! Manchester city centre also provides the UK’s largest city centre shopping mall.Manchester’s biomedical community is also thriving for both manufacturing and clinical research companies. It’s also the biggest commercial finance centre outside of London; it houses massive financial institutions such as Bank of New York Mellon and Handelsbanken.

Keyemployers: PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Kelloggs, Arcadia Group, BBC, ITV Granada, Adidas14-19 prospectus: http://gm.portal.s-cool.co.uk/

MerseysideKeycolleges:Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Carmel

College, Hugh Baird College, King George V College,

Knowsley Community College, Liverpool Community

College, Southport College, St Helens College, Wirral

Metropolitan College.

Keyuniversities: Edge Hill University, Liverpool Hope

University, Liverpool John Moores University.

Merseyside, particularly its main attraction – Liverpool

– is a rapidly growing centre for a number of industries.

The financial and professional sector has undergone

a lot of growth in this region, particularly after

investment by JP Morgan Invest and Maersk. Financial

services make up the largest sub sector in Liverpool’s

‘knowledge’ economy bringing £4.3 billion each year

to the region.Nearly one in three workers in Merseyside are

employed in public administration, education and

health, and over 60,000 people are employed by the

councils of Merseyside; all in all there is a huge mix of

career opportunities.

Keycity:Liverpool

Liverpool is also a popular location for computer

game designers and manufacturers; Sony Computer

Entertainment has its main European creative studio in

Liverpool, providing plenty of exciting job opportunities

in the creative industry.

Keyemployers: Sony, Nichols PLC, Bridgewater

Paper Co Ltd, Barclays, HMRC

14-19 prospectus: www.i-chooseliverpool.org.uk


45

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0 5 10 15 20 25

Public admin, arts and other

Education, Health & Social Care

Admin & support

Professional, scientific & technical

Real estate

Financial & Insurance

Information and Communication

Accommodation & food services

Transportation & Logistics

Wholesale & retail, motor vehicle repair

Construction

Production Industries

Agriculture, hunting, forestry & fishing

% OF NORTH WEST WORKFORCE IN EACH INDUSTRY

Digital industries employ approximately 64,000 people in the region

the region’s aerospace industry supplies 60,000 jobs

there are 300 nuclear related businesses across

the region, employing 25,000 people

there are plenty of graduate vacancies in the North West; over 65% of people finishing a degree at a North West University find employment in the region.

Over 25% of the UK’s

chemicals workforce are

employed in this region

103,000 people are employed in the Food and Drink industry in the North West

the biomedical sector employs 20,000 people in this region

320,000 people are employed in the digital and

creative sectors combined

www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk Useful Stuff

47

75% of the top 100 companies in the country have bases in the North West, which means there are plenty of opportunities in England’s third most populated region ...

IN THE NOrTH wEST...

WELBECK DEFENCE SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

WHERE LEARNINGMEETS ADVENTURE.

AND ENGINEERSMEET THEIR FUTURE.

Have you ever thought about

starting an Apprenticeship?

You earn while you learn, gain

a variety of skills and work

towards nationally recognised

qualifications that enable you to

progress in your chosen career.

You’ll be in good company;

there are over a half a million

apprentices working in England.

This year the fifth annual National

Apprenticeship Week takes place

from 6-10 February and celebrates

apprentices across the country.It is

an excellent opportunity to find out

more about Apprenticeships, so

if you’re considering your future

options and career path then why not

go along to a careers event or open

day? At apprenticeships.org.uk

you can find out what’s taking place

near you.

The website also gives you the

opportunity to search and apply

for Apprenticeship vacancies.

At any one time there are

thousands of jobs available in a

variety of industry sectors across

England. You can apply for as

many as you like.

Apprenticeships are increasingly

recognised as the gold standard

for work-based learning. There are

more than 200 different types of

Apprenticeships suitable for over

1,200 job roles, in a range of

industry sectors, from engineering

to financial advice, veterinary

nursing to accountancy.

Career progression is excellent for

apprentices, and over the course

of their careers, those with an

Apprenticeship earn, on average,

£100,000 more than those without.

Some Apprenticeships already

attract UCAS points or allow you to

study for a Technical Certificate.

Once the Apprenticeship has

finished there’s the opportunity to

carry on working, maybe get

promoted or go on to higher

education in a college or university.

What types of

Apprenticeship are there?

An Apprenticeship includes a work-based

learning qualification, functional skills, a

knowledge-based qualification and in some

cases a technical certificate.

• Intermediate Level Apprenticeship (level 2)

• Advanced Level Apprenticeship (level 3)

• Higher Apprenticeship (level 4 or above)

Key Benefits:• earn a salary

• get paid holidays

• receive training

• gain qualifications

• learn job-specific skills

Climb the Career Ladder

with an Apprenticeship

apprenticeships.org.ukNational Apprenticeship Week6 - 10 February 2012

Shane’s story…Shane Trevitt, 22, a plumber and apprentice from Wirral, who works for NG Bailey triumphed at the largest global skills competition there is, WorldSkills London 2011, winning the gold medal in plumbing and heating. Shane was part of Team UK who competed against 1,000 competitors from 52 countries/regions, watched by over 200,000 visitors over the four days of tough competition they had to compete. Shane said: “It is an amazing feeling to be crowned the best in the world at plumbing and heating. This is what I’ve been training for all this time, and I am just so pleased I’ve been able to make my family, friends, training manager and all those who have supported me along the way, so proud. Just as importantly, I hope my success will inspire others to think about their career options and that I’ve managed to show everyone that there are options for them. I’d definitely say that a career in plumbing is very rewarding!” Team UK consisted of 43 competitors aged 19-24 competing in 37 skills ranging from Mobile Robotics, Electronics and Manufacturing Team Challenge through to Landscape Gardening, Cooking and Bricklaying. Two in three Team UK Members were current or former apprentices.For more information and to be inspired by other apprentices in Team UK visit www.worldskillsteamuk.org

Apprentice Triumphsat WorldSkills London 2011C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Apprencticeship-DPS-ShaneTrevitt.pdf 1 07/12/2011 10:30

Burnley Collegewww.burnley.ac.uk01282 733373

Bury Collegewww.burycollege.ac.uk0161 280 8280

Cardinal Newman Collegewww.cardinalnewman.org.uk01772 460181

HolyCrossCollegewww.holycross.ac.uk0161 762 4500

Myerscough Collegewww.myerscough.ac.uk01995 642211

Nelson and Colne Collegewww.nelson.ac.uk01282 440200

Preston Collegewww.preston.ac.uk01772 22 55 22

Runshaw Collegewww.runshaw.ac.uk01772 622677

Skelmersdale and Ormskirk Collegeswww.skelmersdale.ac.uk01695 52300

St. Mary’s Collegewww.stmarysblackburn.ac.uk01254 586996

CUmBrIA

Askham Bryanwww.newtonrigg.ac.uk01768 893696

Barrow in Furness Sixth Form Collegewww.barrow6fc.ac.uk01229 828377

ONlINE 14-19 prOSpECTUSES

Blackburn & Darwenwww.steps4me.co.uk

Blackpoolwww.steps4me.co.uk

Boltonbolton.portal.s-cool.co.uk

Burybury.portal.s-cool.co.uk

Cheshire Eastwww.wayahead-cheshirewestandchester.co.uk

Cheshire West and Chesterwww.wayahead-cheshirewestandchester.co.uk

Cumbriawww.applycumbria.co.uk

Knowsleywww.i-chooseknowsley.org.uk

Lancashirewww.steps4me.co.uk

Manchestergm.portal.s-cool.co.uk

Oldhamprospectus.yourchoice14plus.co.uk

Rochdalerochdale.portal.s-cool.co.uk

Salfordsalford.portal.s-cool.co.uk

Seftonwww.i-choosesefton.org.uk

St.Helenssecure.apply-sthelens.com

Stockportstockport.futures4me.co.uk

Tamesidewww.yourchoiceintameside.co.uk

Traffordwww.trafford14-19.co.uk

Warringtonwww.wayahead-warrington.co.uk

Wiganwigan.portal.s-cool.co.uk

Wirralwww.i-choosewirral.org.uk CAP Home.aspx

lOCAl COUNCIlS

LocalCouncilshttp: mycouncil.direct.gov.uk

COllEgES

lANCASHIrE

Accrington and Rossendale Collegewww.accross.ac.uk01254 389933

Blackburn Collegewww.blackburn.ac.uk01254 55144

Blackpool and Fylde Collegewww.blackpool.ac.uk01253 504343

Blackpool Sixth Form Collegewww.blackpoolsixth.ac.uk01253 394911

Bolton Collegewww.boltoncollege.ac.uk 01204 482000

Bolton Sixth Form Collegewww.bolton-sfc.ac.uk0800 052 1460

USEFUl lINKSDIrECTOrY

Useful Stuff

52


Carlisle Collegewww.carlisle.ac.uk01228 822 700

Furness Collegewww.furness.ac.uk01229 825017

KendalCollegewww.kendal.ac.uk01539 814700

LakesCollegeWestCumbriawww.lcwc.ac.uk01946 839302

LancasterandMorecambeCollegewww.lmc.ac.uk0800 306 306

grEATEr mANCHESTEr

AshtonUnderLyneSixthFormCollegewww.asfc.ac.uk0161 330 2330

The Cooperative Collegewww.co-op.ac.uk0161 246 2926

HopwoodCollegewww.hopwood.ac.uk0161 643 7560

LoretoSixthFormCollegewww.loreto.ac.uk0161 226 5156

Macclesfield Collegewww.macclesfield.ac.uk01625 410002

Manchester Business Schoolwww.mbs.ac.uk0161 275 6333

Royal Northern College of Musicwww.rncm.ac.uk0161 907 5200

Oldham Collegewww.oldham.ac.uk0800 269 480

Oldham Sixth Form Collegewww.osfc.ac.uk0161 287 8000

Salford Collegewww.salford-col.ac.uk0161 631 5000

Tameside Collegewww.tamesidecollege.ac.uk0161 908 6789

The Manchester Collegewww.themanchestercollege.ac.uk0800 068 8585

Trafford Collegewww.trafford.ac.uk0161 886 7000

WiganandLeighCollegewww.wigan-leigh.ac.uk01942 76 16 00

Winstanley Collegewww.winstanley.ac.uk01695 633244

Xaverian Collegewww.xaverian.ac.uk0161 224 1781

mErSEYSIDE

Birkenhead Sixth Form Collegewww.bsfc.ac.uk0151 652 5575

Carmel Collegewww.carmel.ac.uk01744 452200

HughBairdCollegewww.hughbaird.ac.uk0151 353 4444

KingGeorgeVCollegewww.kgv.ac.uk01704 530601

KnowsleyCommunityCollegewww.knowsleycollege.ac.uk0845 155 1055

LiverpoolCommunityCollegewww.liv-coll.ac.uk0151 252 3000

LiverpoolInstituteforPerformingArtswww.lipa.ac.uk 0151 330 3000

Southport Collegewww.southport-college.ac.uk01704 500606

St.HelensCollegewww.sthelens.ac.uk01744 733766

St. John Rigby Sixth Form Collegewww.sjr.ac.uk01942 214797

Wirral Metropolitan Collegewww.wmc.ac.uk0151 551 7777

CHESHIrE

Aquinas Collegewww.aquinas.ac.uk0161 483 3237

Cheadle & Marple Sixth Form Collegewww.camsfc.ac.uk 0161 486 4600

Mid Cheshire Collegewww.midchesh.ac.uk01606 74444

Priestley Collegewww.priestleycollege.ac.uk01925 633591

Reaseheath Collegewww.reaseheath.ac.uk01270 625131

Riverside College www.riversidecollege.ac.uk0151 257 2800

Sir John Deane’s Collegewww.sjd.ac.uk01606 810020

South Cheshire Collegewww.s-cheshire.ac.uk01270 654654

Stockport Collegewww.stockport.ac.uk 0161 958 3100

Warrington Collegiate Institutewww.warrington.ac.uk01925 494 494

West Cheshire Collegewww.west-cheshire.ac.uk01244 670600

OTHEr USEFUl SITES

Careers Advicewww.careersadvice.direct.gov.uk

Careers Boxwww.careersbox.co.uk

Jobcentre Pluswww.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

National Apprenticeship Servicewww.apprenticeships.org.uk

Skillwww.skill.org.uk

Work Experiencewww.work-experience.org


53

Useful Stuff

THE rEgIONAl TrAININg prOSpECTUS ON SOCIAl mEDIAYou’ve reached the end of the mag, but that’s not all the Open Doors team have to offer! If you’re on facebook, twitter or even google +1 you can come and say hello...

So if you don’t want to miss out on your dream career you can like us, follow us, or even +1 us. Come say hello, we don’t bite!

FACEBookIt couldn’t be easier to find our facebook page you can visit our website

(www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk) and click on the facebook logo at the top corner of the

page or search ‘The Regional Training Prospectus’ whilst you’re chatting to your

mates on facebook.

• Checkoutourwall We post information, articles, success stories, and much

more. You can even ask us any careers questions you have, just write on our wall.

• Uploadyourphotos Our magazine goes all over the country, and so do we,

so upload pics of you with the mag and you’ll win a mini prize.

• Winprizes We love to give away prizes, and not just for your photos, but every

time we get 1000 more “likes” we give away a great prize such as an ipod or computer

games! We’re too generous.

FIND USON FACEBOOK

TwITTErLoads of people use twitter to follow their fave celebs or share their funny thoughts, but did you know you can use twitter to get top careers advice?!• Followus Search @opendoorsmedia and you’ll find us, just look for our logo, click

follow and we do the rest.• Readourtweets We’re always tweeting the best careers opportunities and latest

news. We also re-tweet lots of colleges and training providers.• Tweetus Why not say hi? You can ask us any question you’re struggling with on

twitter, or even re-tweet any opportunities we promote for your friends.

GooGlE +1You may not have tried it yet but the Open Doors team are already +1 experts...

• +1us If you head to www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk you’ll see the +1 logo on our

homepage (or on any of our pages). Clicking this gives us your personal stamp

of approval (that would make us very happy) and adds us to your recommended

pages so you can easily keep up to date with the latest opportunities in your area.

It also allows you to share all of the exciting news and careers opportunities with

your friends!

Useful Stuff

54


• Accounting (AAT) • Beauty Therapy• Bricklaying• Business Administration• Carpentry & Joinery• Catering & Hospitality• Childcare• Civil Engineering• Cleaning• Construction• Customer Service• Electrical Installation• Engineering• Fashion and Textiles• Hairdressing/Barbering• Healthcare

• IT Systems Professionals• Management• Motor Vehicle• Nail Services• Painting & Decorating• Performing Engineering Operation• Plastering• Plumbing• Retail• Sales• Sport• Spa Therapy• Teaching Assistants• Team Leading• Warehousing & Storage

Currently on offer

Apprenticeshipsare a great way to set you apart from the rest.Employers are more likely to employ people who have the right skills and experience todo the job. An Apprenticeship will give you real work experience while you study for aqualification part-time, and you are paid a wage. Wigan & Leigh College work with employers to offer a wide range of training programmes:

To find out more about how you can apply forone of our Apprenticeship programmes visit

www.wigan-leigh.ac.uk or call 01942 761111

You can also search for job vacancies in your area at

www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprenticeships

30104. Wigan & Leigh Press Advert:Layout 1 15/8/11 16:35 Page 1

Open Doors - North West, Spring 2012

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