The Careers Team

The Careers Team can help in a number of ways, depending on what stage of your career journey you’re at.

Career Exploration and Planning

We can provide one to one sessions to help:

• Explore what type of careers might suit students
• Plan how to get into their chosen career
• Creating your CV
• Job and apprenticeship searches
• Apply for university and university funding

Careers Resources

We have a wide range of impartial careers related resources we can signpost students to. These resources will help:

• Identify skills, interests and strengths
• Find out information about Labour Market Information (where jobs are and what they pay)
• Explore apprenticeships and careers

Job Search Support and Networking Opportunities.

Working in partnership with the Employability Team, we can help with the job application process, including where to look for work, making applications and practice interviews. Both teams also organise events where students can meet and network with potential employers and universities.

Skills Development

We run a range of webinars and workshops to supplement our Careers Programme, aimed at helping students prepare for higher education and the workplace. By utilising the resources and support offered by the Careers Team, we can help students navigate the job market, develop professional skills and work towards career goals.

Book an appointment with the Careers Team here!

Careers Programme

The careers programme called ‘Bitesize Careers’ is delivered by our Personal Development Tutors, during tutorial time. The programme runs across both campuses and is different depending on your level of study. Students who are in their second year of a two-year programme, have a different focus, with the emphasis on applying to university, apprenticeships or the workplace. The programme is designed to help students develop the skills and attributes needed to enter and progress successfully into the world of work. Additionally, careers-related talks, guest speakers, career fairs and other events run throughout the year.

Bitesize Careers has been developed in response to feedback and research that indicates students prefer to learn in short ‘Bitesize’ chunks, which helps hold focus and interest. 

If you would like to take part in the review, you can do so here.

Careers Programme Content

The programme has been developed after a mapping project, which incorporated Matrix, Career Mark, and The Careers Development Institute.  It is currently being evaluated with the following cohorts:

• Students
• Parents/Carers
• College Staff
• Employers
• Swindon Borough Council

Although themes and topics are the same for every student, the lesson content has been changed to be delivered at the right level, and to make sure that students do not repeat learning as they progress.

Levels are set as follows:

• Inclusive Learning
• Level 1
• Level 2
• Level 3 (Year 1)
• Level 3 (Year 2)
• Higher Education

The Bitesize sessions are being supported by an online programme, which ensures learners are still able to learn, even when not in college.

The Programme has been developed using best practice identified within the Career Development Institute (CDI), Matrix, Careermark and the Gatsby Benchmarks. The modules cover the following topics:

• Introduction to careers
• Self-awareness, asking for help & skills identification
• Explore career options
• Types of employment
• Employment skills
• CV writing
• Volunteering & community involvement
• Understanding the job market (LMI)
• Career planning, self reflective & lifelong learning (CPD)
• Progression opportunities
• Apprenticeships
• Job search strategies
• LinkedIn
• Job applications
• AI and recruitment
• Interview skills (in person and online)
• Behaviour in the workplace & cultural awareness
• Challenging prejudice, stereotypes, discrimination
• Virtual work experience
• Networking
• Communication skills, business writing, time management & project management (Agile)
• Financial work literacy
• Leadership and teamwork
• Problem-solving, critical thinking & conflict resolution
• Work life balance & looking after yourself
• Ethical decision making & seeing the ‘bigger picture’
• Global career opportunities
• Retirement planning
• Resilience in the workplace
• Job hunting review

Accessing the Careers Programme

Access for students

Students are expected to attend all timetabled tutorial sessions and will get their careers tutorials through this medium. There are also a large number of resources in the careers area of the VLE. Students who have been absent during Tutorial Sessions will be able to access the learning through the online version.

Access for parents and carers

We cannot provide access to the tutorials for parents and carers, but we can provide copies of the presentations themselves, on request.

Access arrangements for training providers

Training providers who would like to arrange to visit our College should contact the Careers Lead in the first instance.

Measuring the impact of our careers programme

There are regular assessments built into each of the tutorial themes to ensure that learning is taking place. Additionally, we work with students, parents, carers, and local employers to ensure our programme is fit for purpose.