“Career Coach supporting the

Admissions Journey”

Ben OwenHead of Student Services

Background

‘Pupils need not only access careers guidance but also the knowledge and skills to use the information and guidance provided to plan

and manage their career choices and transitions’

Careers Education in schools. Andrews, D (2011). Highflyers Publishing: Staffordshire

Background“What support has the LA provided to schools to assist them in taking on the new duty for securing access for pupils to independent and impartial careers guidance?”

  Response % Response Count

Briefings 84.2% 28Providing a traded service 61.8% 21Provision of information on training providers and opportunities

55.9% 19

Provision of information on work based learning opportunities

52.9% 18

Provision of labour market information 44.1% 15

Consultancy support 38.2% 13Guidance on commissioning 26.5% 9

Commissioning services on behalf of schools

20.6% 7

Lists of approved suppliers 17.6% 6

Source: Langley et al 2014

Local picture - Derbyshire

In Derbyshire the LA have developed a traded Universal Career Service

However, many schools have brought in external provision as well

Many schools have reduced the level of Careers Support, in one example one school reduced Careers Adviser support from 4 days per week to ½ day per week

With this local picture post 16 advice and guidance has greatly diminished, which in turn could have had a significant impact on recruitment of post 16 students onto the right course

Student feedback

Student feedback

Student feedback

Concept

Adding in a Guidance and Assessment stage that all applicants receive, greatly improving the consistency of the first experience of college

This stage will also allow the Guidance Team to work with applicants on why they are coming into college, using career research tools and LMI to see where their course choice leads them

Initial assessment at this stage will ensure that applicants will start to look at what their entry level will be, as well as ensuring all applicants receive this as part of their admissions journey

Concept

Process

Guidance activity to ensure the student is on the right course Fast Tomato or the Skills Health Check (National Careers

Service site)

Use Career Coach to explore study path to career goal

Ask set questions from the Interview Record Form

If a student is still unsure after this they are referred to a Guidance Officer for a full guidance interview

The personal approach

2014 Admissions survey – feedback (student)

“I was interviewing a young lady who started a L3 Art & Design course in September 2013, she said her attendance wasn’t too good and she realised too late that she didn’t like the course and couldn’t transfer onto another course. She has now applied for L3 Business here at College as she feels this will help her achieve her goal of owning her own business.

While in the interview she told me that if her interview had been this process last year she may have changed her option.”

2014 Admissions – feedback (Curriculum Manager)

12 people were down to attend and 100% attended (although one person was late with a plausible reason).

There was one applicant who had previously disclosed that she had colour blindness and it was a good opportunity to chat with her about this and her father wanted to pass on favourable comments. The applicant has also applied to Aldecar 6th form and he expressed that our college seemed to be a lot more professional with its interview system, initial assessment, the mini-public service taster (we did last night prior to the interview) and interview. At a local Sixth Form interview they attended all they talked about A-levels and that was it, he pointed out.

Thanks for letting me know about the colour blindness prior to interview. The time in between the initial interview and our interview last night gave me the opportunity to find out some info on this that I was able to discuss with the applicant and the amount of time in between these interviews was just right to cope with a busy CM schedule.

From our area point of view the pre-area interviews allowed the team to discuss each applicant and highlight any support needs and our mini-taster gave us the opportunity to observe these and comment in the interview stage.

Curriculum Manager Public Services

2014 Admissions survey – feedback

2014 Admissions survey – feedback

2014 Admissions survey – feedback

2014 Admissions survey – feedback

2014 Admissions – feedback (Ofsted)

During our Ofsted Inspection in October 2013, where the College received an overall “good” grade, we received some extremely positive feedback from inspectors, such as;

“particularly good information, advice and guidance ensures learners are on the appropriate programmes”

“the student services team provides highly effective and timely support for learners”

“Managers and staff use LMI very well to plan provision in their areas”

2015 Admissions – development

HE and 19+ processes will be changed for next year in line with student and staff feedback

Next years process will see the removal of the Fast Tomato/NCS stage and promote more of a guidance review with Guidance Officers leading on this aspect of the process

LU Apprenticeship recruitment processes will be brought in line with this process as well

Thank you for your time

Are there any questions?