Careers programme and resources
Careers Learning at New College
The Careers Lead for New College is Sharon O’Connor. Her contact details can be found below. You can also view our Careers Policy and Provider Access Legislation Statement (PDF 262.35KB)
Sharon O’Connor
Careers Lead
New College
New College Drive
Swindon SN3 1AH
Tel: 01793 236 487 ext 9522
Email: sharon.oconnor@newcollege.ac.uk
Our Careers Programme:
We have a single, online, careers programme, which is delivered across both campuses. It is supported via delivery of specific sessions within the Tutorial STAR Programme.
'Future Skills' is our online careers course, designed to help students develop the skills and attributes needed to enter and progress successfully into the world of work. This course is delivered as a discrete, online study programme, with set targets throughout the academic year. Students are directed to the relevant sections when attending tutorial sessions with lecturers and Progress Coaches.
Additionally, careers related talks, presentations, visiting speakers and other events will also run throughout the year and in addition to the online Careers Programme, students can also access individual support from the College Careers Team whenever they need support.
Future Skills covers all of the normal careers related topics, but has been branded to reflect the requirements of the workplace. Future Skills has five themes all focused on improving student's employability. Each theme is accompanied by assessments that assess learning. The themes are as follows:
1 : All About You
2 : Options and Planning
3 : All About the Workplace
4 : Getting that Job
5 : Life Skills
Accessing the Future Skills Careers Programme
Access for students Access for Parents and Carers
Students are provided with the relevant links during their STAR Tutorial sessions. This link takes students to the Careers area of the VLE.
Access for Parents and Careers Access arrangements for Training Providers
Parents and Carers can view their young person’s account with them through the VLE, or can request more detailed information by contacting the College’s Careers lead email
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, by emailing Sharon.oconnor@newcollege.ac.uk
Download our Careers Policy and Provider Access Legislation Statement here
Measuring the impact of our Careers Programme
There are regular assessments built into each of the Future Skills themes to ensure that learning is taking place. Additionally, we also speak to students, parents, careers, and local employers to ensure our programme is fit for purpose.
Review of the Careers Programme
- Date of Programme Inception: September 2017
- Date of First Evaluation: July 2018
- Date of Next Evaluation: July 2019
- Date of new Programme Inception: December 2020
- Date of Evaluation: July 2021
- Date of new amendments: February 2022
- Date of Next Evaluation: July 2022
Labour Market Information
Having access to labour market information is critical when exploring career options and making career decisions. Labour market information can tell us; skills currently sought by employers, areas of work that are growing and those that are in decline, education or training required for particular jobs, industries that are prominent in particular areas of the UK, where there may be demand for workers. When making career decisions it is important to take all these factors into account. The Start programme is a comprehensive digital platform to help simplify career choices and provide labour market information. Details of employment trends by region, future employment prospects and the current level of demand for workers can be found for the jobs and industries featured.
National Careers Service
The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work.