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


Monday 16 May 2016

Have a Sandwich

The number of students taking a sandwich degree has risen from 113,795 in 2009-10 to 153,535 in 2014-15. This is partially down to an improving economy, which makes obtaining placements easier and a growing awareness of their benefits: destination data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency shows that 82% of graduates from a sandwich course were in employment, compared to 74% for other graduates. In addition, the maximum fee that universities can charge for students for the sandwich year has been dropped to £1800 from 2014-15, whilst many charge less than this. The majority of students also earn on their sandwich year, although remuneration is very much dependent on the industry concerned.

Monday 2 May 2016

Be a farmer!

Agriculture is the fastest growing subject in UK universities. There are over 19,000 people studying Agriculture and related subjects and while at first glance the subject may seem quite narrow, in fact those that do not wish to pursue a career in farming can find work with food retailers, suppliers or work in research, technology and education. Read more here.

Rise in success rates of Apprenticeships

Latest figures from the Skills Funding Agency indicate that the apprenticeship success rate has risen by 2.8% to 71.7%. 

In related news, the Sutton Trust has published research that suggests that apprentices with a Level 5 qualification could earn £50,000 more in their working lifetime than those with an undergraduate degree from a non-Russell Group university.

Russell Group leads in studying STEM subjects

For those students with an eye on a Russell Group university, studying STEM subjects or languages are more likely to see them succeed. New research has found that 47% of students who study STEM subjects at A-level went on to a Russell Group university in 2011/12. Read more here.

More Graduates = Less Earning Power

A Bank of England study has shown that the growing number of university students is affecting graduate earning power. One in three workers now has a degree, compared to just one in 10 back in 1985. On the positive side, the survey also showed that those with a degree could still expect to earn more over their working life than those without academic qualifications. Understanding the opportunities, access routes and potential earnings are all important factors when it comes to deciding on a career path. Read the full story here.

Leading the world in graduate debt

Graduates in England have more debt than their peers in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, according to the Sutton Trust. It said that the average English graduate owes £44,000, whereas the average debts in the other countries ranged from £15,000 to £29,000. American graduates, on average, owe between £20,500, for students at public or private non-profit universities, and £23,000, for those at private for-profit universities. Canadian graduates owe on average £15,000, Australian graduates £20,900, and graduates from New Zealand £23,300.

STEM subjects do not guarantee employment

A study by Sir William Wakeham, the former Vice-Chancellor of Southampton University, into the employment rate of various Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) degrees has concluded that Biological Sciences are a ‘particular problem’. His report said, “Something like 40% of graduates were in non-graduate jobs, and many were in low paying occupations, even years after graduation”. Another area of concern was Computer Science, although this was very much linked to the university attended, with Oxford Computer Science graduates actually top of the graduate starting salaries. 

For some STEM areas, the results were nuanced, for example Chemical Engineering graduates had high unemployment rates but also the highest salaries of all engineers, again linked to the institution attended. Bio-engineering employers normally demanded a post-graduate qualification. For Systems Engineering graduates, Sir William said that “Nobody is any longer employing people from these courses, and it would be better if students didn’t start them”. He also said that there were some concerns with Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences and Agriculture Science. 

Sir William also said that a major concern was graduates' “attitude to work”, with many lacking work experience and training in mathematical and statistical skills. He also said that, “Students are not engaged with their own career until after the final year examinations, and that is not good enough”.  [source GTAssociates]

UCAS Personal Statement "don'ts"

UCAS has published a list of Top 10 overused and cliched phrases students use in their Personal Statements.

  • From a young age I have (always) been ...
  • For as long as I can remember I have ...
  • I am applying for this course because ...
  • I have always been interested in ...
  • Throughout my life, I have always enjoyed ...
  • Reflecting on my educational experience ...
  • XX is a very challenging and demanding (career/profession/course) ...
  • Academically, I have always been ...
  • I have always wanted to pursue a career in ...
  • I have always been passionate about ...

UCAS said it had released the information to encourage applicants to "convey a connection with the subject" in language that made them stand out. Their chief executive, Mary Curnock Cook, said: "The Personal Statement is supposed to be personal. Learning to write about yourself in a compelling way is a vital skill when applying for jobs; using hackneyed phrases is not the best way to stand out.