This blog is designed to keep you up-to-date with Careers Education, Information and Guidance (CEIAG) available locally, nationally and through the school. I’ll be posting information about employment and training opportunities available locally as well as details of open days and useful websites. The world of education, employment and training opportunities is changing rapidly so keep checking in for the latest information.

Mr Cross


Thursday 31 January 2013

Local Apprenticeship opportunity in Law

A local company, SA Law is offering an Apprenticeship scheme for entry this Summer. It is 'aimed at ambitious and able 17 and 18 year olds seeking a career path which offers the opportunity to gain practical experience and training through full time employment, supported by part time study'. 
For full details, click here.

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Pathways for School Leavers

A new website All About School Leavers collects together useful information for students about to leave school.  It features advice on applications, interviews and writing a CV as well as careers guidance linked to your qualifications.  It also has an up-to-date list of regional job and Apprenticeship opportunities.  Whether you're entering employment, training or Higher Education, the website has impartial information and guidance to help you.

Monday 28 January 2013

Music 'Experience Day'

The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance is offering students a free 'Experience Day' on Saturday 27th April.  Participants can take part in guitar, bass, drums and vocal lessons, culminating in a live Performance Workshop in which a full band will perform a contemporary song.  The day is aimed at 14 to 16 year-olds  with good technical playing or singing skills at an 'intermediate' level in their chosen instrument.  For more details click here.

Training opportunities at AECOM

AECOM is 'a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government'. It is offering Trainee Roles in Building Engineering in the St Albans area. No previous work experience is necessary but the position is ideally suited to recent school/college leavers who hold a minimum of five GCSEs, graded A*-C with two of these in Maths and Science (Physics preferred) and also hold a minimum of two A' Levels in Maths or Science related with at least one to be a predicted grade A.  For full details, click here.

"Your Future" Fair announced

The Alban Arena is hosting a free careers, training and education fair to be held on Tuesday 12th March 2013.  The morning session (10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.) is aimed at young people entering the world of employment while in the afternoon and evening, from 2.00 - 8.00 p.m. the emphasis is on training, Further and Higher Education opportunities and Apprenticeships.  Students and their parents are invited to attend where they will receive impartial advice and guidance from a range of local and national training and education providers.  The proposed format combines stalls with a programme of speakers on a range of relevant topics.

Oaklands College Open Evenings

Oaklands College is hosting a further series of Open Evenings this April.  They are open to anyone  -  parent or student  -  and you can meet course tutors and find out all you need to know about the opportunities available for courses starting this Autumn.  Year 11 students who are currently achieving an Average Points Score of less than 39 should definitely consider having a College course "back up" plan.  [ To work out your Average Point Score, see the back pages of the Sixth Form prospectus or visit the BeauSandVer website. ]

Monday 21 January 2013

Pre-Law and Pre-Med courses this Spring

If you are in Year 9 and above and you are interested in pursuing a career in Law or Medicine, there are one-day courses you can attend in London this April.  The PreLaw course, run by solicitors and barristers, promises to 'tell you everything you need to know about a career in law'.  The PreMed course covers application and interview advice as well as practical workshops in suturing, X-rays and ECGs.  The courses are held on Saturdays at UCL and Imperial College.  Click on the links for more information.

Friday 18 January 2013

5 Essential Resources for Year 11s

Now that you have had your Year 11 Guidance Meeting, you may still be looking for help with your next steps.  Hopefully, one of these will help you:
  1. Thinking about a College application?  Details of Oaklands Open Evenings can be found here.
  2. Still not sure about which 'A' levels to choose?  Youth Connexions has compiled a list of which subject combinations lead best into a range of different careers.  Download it here.  Also, the Russell Group of universities has created a booklet called Informed Choices with similar information and it also includes its list of 'Facilitating Subjects'  -  the ones they feel provide the greatest access to their university courses.
  3. Thinking of an Apprenticeship after GCSEs or 'A' levels?  Click here for information about how you can be in paid work and be in training at the same time.
  4. Thinking about entering Medicine or Vetinary Science?  Consider going on a MED-Link or VET-Link weekend conference in Year 12.  Details of these can be found here.  They also do conferences on Law, Journalism and a range of science-related careers.
  5. Looking for employment after your GCSEs?  The Herts 16-19 Jobs website is a good place to start.
If you're still all at sea click here or here for some reassurance, then come and see me for a chat!

Saturday 12 January 2013

Year 7 Work-Shadowing

All pupils in forms 7L, E and A are going 'Work-Shadowing' on Thursday 17th January as part of their Careers and Work-Related Education.  Forms 7R, N and S will have their turn later in the year. 
 
If you haven't got your Work Shadowing booklet, click here to download a copy.

Friday 11 January 2013

Interested in a Nature-based career?

Capel Manor College is the largest land-based college in Greater London for those interested in the environment, animals or working with plants, trees and flowers. Full and part-time courses, apprenticeships and professional short courses are offered leading to a range of nationally recognised qualifications, higher education and employment. 
 
They are holding an 'Advice Evening' on Wednesday 23rd January.  For more information, click here.

Thursday 10 January 2013

Year 10 Work Experience information

Thank you to all Year 10 parents and students who attended the Work Experience Information Evening.  As promised here is a copy of the PowerPoint presentation and you can find further information and downloads here on the Beaumont website.

Employment opportunities for School Leavers

SchoolLeaverJobs.co.uk is a new on-line database of over 2000 jobs and Apprenticeships suitable for young people leaving school at 16 -18.  You can search by job type and location and then view specific details about the work, including salary.

Work Experience opportunities at HSBC


HSBC is offering a programme of one week Work Experience placements to 14-18 year olds.  They also offer Apprenticeships in banking and financial services.  For information about both of these opportunities, click here.

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Work Experience opportunity at Cancer Research UK

The Clare Hall Laboratories of Cancer Research UK, offer a number of work experience placements to students in local Hertfordshire schools. They are based on a site in South Mimms on bus routes from St Albans and Potters Bar. Cancer Research UK is the UK's leading cancer charity and is at the forefront of international research. The London Research Institute carries out world class research to improve our understanding of cancer. The week-long placements are for 16+ aged students in Years 11 - 13 and cover aspects of laboratory research and its support. The placements are challenging but are also fun and offer the opportunity for pupils to work alongside scientists and gain experience of the laboratory, and scientific research. The placements on offer are:

Week 1: 2nd to 5th April 2013  

Week 2: 8th to 15th April 2013

Click on the links for further information and an application form.

Saturday 5 January 2013

Advice for Life ...

Cycling around the Internet and social media sites is advice for life, consisting of forty two well-being tips, written by a 90 year old woman from Cleveland, Ohio by the name of Regina Brett.  Why not start 2013 with a few well worn words of wisdom ...?