Careers

Going to university can be an option if you have completed or working towards a level 3 qualification such as A-Levels, BTEC Level 3 or Access Course. For further information on going to university click here.

• Graduate earnings
• Gain skills and experience for life and work
• Better employment prospects
• Meet lots of new friends – from all over the UK and the world
• Learn to live independently
• Study in depth a subject that interests you

• Expensive
• Time cost for completing a degree
• If you choose the wrong degree you have a large debt with no prospects and/or you may have to gain a further debt to re-train
• There may be a decline in careers in that sector on the year you graduate, that you were not aware about when enrolling

Student Finance

You can find out more about student finance here.

UCAS – Applying to University

All applications to University for full-time study must be made online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

To complete your UCAS form you will need:

• Personal Details
• Course Choices
• Correct details of your qualifications – dates, exam boards & centre numbers
• Details of employment
• A Personal Statement

To get started:

• Go to UCAS
• Register and Email verification
• Select ‘Applying through College/School’
• You will need the Buzzword for 2020 Entry: LCC2020
• Select your tutor from the drop down list. If they do not appear let them know
• Remember to make a note of your ID number, username and password

UCAS Form:

• APPLY – Complete all sections of UCAS application form and add your personal statement
• PAY – UCAS fee for 2020 entry is £20 for single choice or £25 for 2-5 choices – online payment
• SEND – Your form will be then sent to your tutor who will add reference and send form to UCAS

Deadlines:

• College advisory deadline for Oxford/Cambridge courses and applications for Medicine, Veterinary medicine/science or Dentistry courses is 27th September 2019 and UCAS deadline for submitting these applications, including your reference is 15th October 2019.
• Recommended college internal deadline for completing all other UCAS applications is 22nd November 2019.
• UCAS deadline for the majority of undergraduate courses – 15 January 2020.
• Some Art & Design courses may differ so check this online.
• Check the course details for the deadline of your chosen course.
• Please remember that a reference still has to be written before the application can be sent.

Applying to a Conservatoire

Each conservatoire has its own strengths and specialisms, so it is important to research all of them to find the right fit for you. For example, although all conservatoires offer music courses, only two offer drama courses. To help decide, research what graduates from each conservatoire have gone on to do, to see if this fits with your aspirations. Check to see the conservatoires in the scheme. List of conservatoires.

Additional Entry Tests:

Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing

National Admissions Test for Law

University Clinical Aptitude Test

BioMedical Admissions Test

UCAS Extra Useful Resources:

Mythbusters

Applicant UCAS Extra FAQ’s

UCAS Extra Flowchart

Parents’ Guide to UCAS

Useful Personal Statement Links:

UCAS Personal Statement Resources

Personal Statement Writing Tool

Get Help Writing Your Personal Statement

Looking for work can take a lot of effort, time and planning. There are lots of resources to help you, but you need to be clear about what kind of work you are looking for.

Overview:

• Research the area you want to work in by speaking to people in that area and using the internet to research companies.
• Make sure you can match your skills to the job to maximise your chances.
• Ensure you have a covering letter and an updated CV. You can then change it for each job you apply for.
• You may be required to complete an application form, this will give you an opportunity to give the employer specific information of your skills, which should be matched to the job specification.

Tips:

• Spread your search for work as wide as possible
• Make sure you understand what the advert is looking for
• Keep a record of any jobs you apply for and the responses you receive
• Check websites, newspapers, Job Centre Plus and Recruitment Agencies
• Use Social Media (be aware of your online presence. Over 80% of employers have checked up on applicants)
• Speak to relatives and friends as many jobs are not advertised externally

Useful Resources:

iCould

Universal Jobmatch

Indeed

Leeds Pathways

Yorkshire Graduate

Reed.co.uk

Indeed.co.uk

Jobsite.co.uk

Careerbuilder.co.uk

When you are looking for work, spread your search as wide as possible. There are numerous places to look and some excellent help available. You will need an up-to-date CV, most likely have to complete an online application form and then attend an interview.

What is Self-employment?

Self-employment means being your own boss and earning income from a trade or business.

Advantages of self-employment:

• Flexibility – Decide on your own working hours
• Independence – Freedom in making decisions and trailing new ideas
• Salary – Earning potential is much higher
• Being your own boss – making your own decisions

Disadvantages of self-employment:

• Benefits – No sick pay, holiday pay or any other employee benefits
• Finances – lack of job security as Income can be irregular and unpredictable
• Hours – Your working day may be longer than a typical employee’s
• Pressure – Success or failure is down to you, which can increase stress levels
• Responsibility – Increased responsibility of tax, accounts and stock

The Princes Trust

Helping young people 18-30 to turn ideas into a business reality through the Enterprise Programme. Click here to find out more.

Job Centre Plus New Enterprise Allowance

For those on Jobseekers and other benefits. They can receive up to £1274 training allowance and/or business loan to start up. Click here to find out more.

Useful Resources:

Gov.uk

Ioee

Bradford Kickstart

Airedale Enterprises

Start is a comprehensive digital platform, offering a single starting point to help simplify and improve careers guidance. Visit guest.startprofile.com, to create your own careers profile!

National Careers Service advisers work in partnership with Leeds City College staff and students. They deliver sessions on employability and career planning to groups on full time and part time courses. Student aged 19 or over can book careers guidance appointments by calling 0800 100 900.

The National Careers Service has great careers information and a telephone help line that anyone 13 and over can use. They are open 8am to 10pm, 7 days a week.

What is a CV?

A Curriculum Vitae is a written overview of your education, work experience and skills. You send your CV to prospective employers when looking for a job. This helps employers decide whether you are right for the job.

Tips to Help Your CV Stand out:

• Always check for spellings and grammar before sending your CV to a potential employer.
• Ensure your CV suits the requirements of the job that you are applying for.
• Your CV should contain details about your skills, qualities, education and any previous work experience.
• Try to keep your CV to two sides of A4 paper; employers prefer bullet points of information rather than reading lengthy paragraphs.
• Always tell the truth about your skills and experience.
• Using power words will help make your CV stand out and the personal profile will grab the employer’s attention.

Key Skills:

Communication

Confidence

Management

Creativity

Listening

Team Work

Organisation

Motivation

What is a Cover Letter?

A Cover Letter is a document sent with a CV to prospective employers. This usually appears as the front cover of a CV, specifically discussing the job you’re applying for.

This is where you can highlight all of the areas you think would make you perfect for the role.

Useful Resources:

Reed.co.uk

Indeed.co.uk

Jobsite.co.uk

Careerbuilder.co.uk

What is Volunteering?

Volunteering is about supporting charities, businesses and vulnerable people in your spare time. As a volunteer you can make a big difference in your local community and although you will not get paid for your work, you will gain valuable experience and develop new skills.

Benefits of volunteering:

• Improve your CV
• Gain employability skills
• Personal development
• Improved confidence
• Training and support
• Meet new people
• Helps with UCAS personal statement
• Work in an industry that interests you

vInspired

National Citizen Service

UK national volunteering database

Volunteering in Leeds

Volunteering in Keighley & District

Social Mobility Project

At Leeds City College, to help you plan your future career, you can expect

• Information to inspire you about  different jobs & careers, Higher Education, apprenticeships & further study
• Career Google Classrooms with information about jobs and further study in your vocational/academic area
• Digital tools such as Careers Coach to research careers/jobs, salaries and qualification/skill requirements locally, regionally and nationally
• Support to help you make a careers plan as part of your course or tutorial programme
• Opportunities to meet and talk to employers from your vocational or academic sector
• Work place visits and activities to try out your chosen sector, develop your employability skills and add to your CV 
• Enrichment activities to develop your personal skills and to add to your CV/personal statement,such as volunteering, Duke of Edinburgh, sports & exercise, Student Union societies and roles as student leaders
• Higher Education, employability and progression events and visits to help you make informed choices about your next steps
• Signposting to expert guidance from careers, University & apprenticeship providers across the city 
• Workshops to help you write your CV, personal statement, apply to work/apprenticeships/higher education
• Advice & guidance if you need extra support to plan and achieve your next steps
• 19+ learners can access face to face guidance from the National Careers Service

Our careers policy can be found here.

Our full careers programme for 19/20 can be found here.

Our Leeds City College 14+ Apprenticeship Academy and 14-16 Alternative
Provision: Provider Access Statement can be found here.

Today’s students have more options open to them than ever before and will be entering a world where jobs and employment are changing. It is important that our students get the help and support they need, enabling them to make informed choices and start careers that are personally and economically satisfying.

The Careers team has identified a range of information sources, organisations and links, to help you support your children with their choices and plans.

Start platform

Start is an online careers platform that is used during tutorial and in lessons to help our students find out about jobs, careers and industries they may be interested in. Parents can also access the site here.

National Careers Service 

This service provides jobs and careers information (including courses and LMI), including a free telephone service and support with career planning or updating a CV. Anyone who is 13 or over can call their helpline and those 19 and over can book an appointment. Click here to find out more.

Start in Leeds

Jobs, careers and course information for young people and their parents in Leeds. Click here to find out more.

Connexions Bradford 

Support service for all young people aged 13–19, (up to 25 if they have learning difficulties and disabilities). They offer advice, guidance and support on a range of issues such as education, training, jobs, money and lifestyle decisions, to help them make a smooth transition to adulthood and working life.  Click here to find out more.

Connexions Wakefield

Web advisers offer young people advice, guidance and support on a range of issues such as education, training, jobs, money and lifestyle decisions, to help them make a smooth transition to adulthood and working life. Click here to find out more.

Calderdale and Kirklees Careers

C&K Careers offer young people and adults advice about progression and job hunting (One-to-one appointments in all areas and telephone helpline).

Useful Resources

Higher Education Information for parents – Go Higher

Parents Guide to National Career Week 2021

UCAS (The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) advice for parents and guardians

Parent’s Pack

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