Increase in graduate and school-leaver salaries but ...

A survey by the Institute of Student of Employers (ISE) has found that the typical pay for graduates rose to £30,500 in 2021, up by £833; while school leavers saw a jump of £1,039. However, the number of applicants per job reached a record high of 91 per graduate vacancy, a 17% increase on last year. It also marks the highest number since the ISE started collecting data in 1999. The 2021 cohort of graduates has been competing for jobs against last year's cohort, who graduated in the year the pandemic began. The 177 respondents, each large employers of students and young people, suggested that the jobs market had still not recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

Don't underestimate the earning power of technical qualifications

A review of post-18 education and funding showed that only 66% of graduates were in high-skilled employment in 2019 and we have a smaller proportion of people with higher-level technical qualifications in this country compared to competitors like Germany and Canada, for example. Research shows that in the UK men with a higher technical (level 4) qualification earn on average £5,100 more at age 30 than those with a degree (level 6). For women achieving a higher technical (level 5) qualification, the difference is £2,700. [ source DfE ]

More details of 'T levels' released

UCAS has announced how T levels are to be graded. T-levels contain a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience, including a placement in the workplace of at least 315 hours. Candidates will be awarded one of four overall grades, ranging from Distinction* to a Pass. They will also get a nationally recognised certificate which will show their overall grade and a breakdown of what they have achieved across the T-level programme.

Need a "Plan B"?

If your GCSE results were not what you expected and you need to re-think your options, DON'T PANIC, help is at hand! There are lots of things you can do. Start by reading this ...

• Talk to someone at school. Senior Staff will be available in school on Results Day (Thursday 25th August, 9.00-11.00am.) and you can book an appointment to speak to someone to get advice about what you can do next, for example, if you need to change your Sixth Form courses.
• Talk to our Youth Connexions Personal Adviser, Claire Blanchard. She will be in school on Results Day and you can also contact her through the St Albans Youth Connexions website. She can work with you on a late application to College or help you with other pathways such as entering employment, training or an Apprenticeship. 
• If you have an offer from College but need to change course or your level of entry visit Oaklands on Results Day and talk to the tutors there  - they are expecting visits from potential students.
• Visit the Youth Connexions "one stop shop" in Catherine Street. You can find out the details here. It will be open on and after Results Day  -  details here.
• Think about an Apprenticeship. You can find all the information you need at Apprenticeships.gov. You simply fill in your details - like a mini CV - and then you can search the opportunities available and applying is easy as your information is stored.
• Think about applying to Oaklands College. They have Open Days this month for late applications. You can find the details here as well as on the Oaklands website. 
• Check out ChannelMogo for general information and advice.
• Use the 'search' tool on this blog to explore further options.

Keep calm and talk to someone to get the impartial advice and guidance you need ... Good luck!

Two pathways planned at 16+

The first skills white paper in a decade will bring an end to mixed provision and make 16-year-olds choose between academic courses leading to university or a new Technical Professional Education (TPE) route into work. The leaked, government  paper, is likely to be controversial for fear the plans will create a two-tier system between academic schools and vocational colleges. A three-year course could also be an option, with the first year preparing students to start on TPEs. There will be a substantial work experience element within each college-based TPE “pathway”, within its relevant industry.

Year 11 and Beyond Evening 14.10.14

The PowerPoint presentation for the Year 11 and Beyond evening, held on 14th October can be downloaded here.

Climb the 'Student Ladder'

Student Ladder is an excellent, free website.  As well as the typical advice about course choices and university applications you can get from sites of this type, it also has details of a range of Work Placements, Internships and Graduate Schemes available across the UK.  There are opportunities listed for anyone between the ages of 16 and 24, including first and second degree students.  This site doesn't just tell you how to write a CV or UCAS Personal Statement, it provides you with the opportunities and experiences to make yours stand out!

DfE announces Technical 'A' levels

The DfE has announced details on the first wave of 142 technical qualifications which are aimed to be a practical alternative to A-levels. Matthew Hancock, the Skills Minister, said: “We must be honest with our young people. For too long, too many students have been taking qualifications that do not help them get a job, into training, or to university.” Last year, the government stripped out 91% of the 3,721 vocational qualifications currently taught in England from future league tables. The new ‘Tech Levels’ will be included in league tables from 2016.

Exam boards must obtain endorsements from five companies, confirming that they provide the skills needed for particular trades, before qualifications can be registered under the Tech Level banner. Amongst companies backing the new qualifications are, Vauxhall, Npower, Volvo, Procter and Gamble, Kawasaki, Honda and Cisco. Whilst Arsenal is endorsing a diploma in sport and the Royal Ballet School is backing a qualification in performing arts. Courses must be able to lead directly to a job, Apprenticeship or further study and be equal in size to an A-level. The government has also unveiled 87 generic vocational qualifications, which provide broader study as “Applied General Qualifications”. The qualifications need the explicit backing of three universities and will be equal to half an A-level.

[ source: gtassociates.org ]

Free on-line magazine for Sixth Form students

Loud is a free, on-line magazine which is available five times per year for all Sixth formers and college students.  It contains useful information about university course opportunities, fees and finance, applying for uni and other options students might consider such as Apprenticeships.  Click here for more information and the latest edition.  There are videos on topics such as Apprenticeships and student finance too.

Higher Education: Face the Stats!

Going to university is a typical aim for 16-18 year olds:  49.3% of young people entered Higher Education last year (BIS, 2012) and with good reason.  More than a quarter of UK jobs are 'graduate only', up from around one in ten in the mid 1980s [ The Institute of Education Skills & Employment survey, 2012 ].  But university is expensive. According to a survey by the National Union of Students this year, the average cost of a student room has gone up by 25% over the past three years.

 

What about after university?  Currently, 22% of male graduates and 15% of female graduates move back home after completing university.  According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), there were 3.2 million 20-34 year-olds living with their parents in 2011.  This is a 20% increase on the number in 1997.  Returning "home" is often the choice of graduates entering internships.  Becoming an intern is now seen as a shortcut to employment and 60% of paid internships lead to at least one job offer ( compared to 37% of unpaid internships ).

 

According to an ONS survey, having a degree can add £12 000 to your potential salary.  However, the same organisation has recently published data showing that half of graduates are in non-graduate jobs.

 

Suffice it to say, staying in education and training is essential to maximise your choices and flexibility in employment.  Just make sure you weigh up the facts and seek out informed and impartial advice in making your choices.  The quick links top left might be a useful start ...

Oaklands College Open Evenings

Oaklands College has two Open Evenings next month to which students and their parents are invited to talk to Tutors and view what courses are on offer.  Both evenings run from 5.00 - 8.00 p.m.  St Albans Campus is open on Tuesday 12th November and the Welwyn Garden City Campus is open on Wednesday 13th November.  For information about what courses are on offer and the campus where they are based, click here.