Careers
Supporting students to plan for their future careers is a key priority at Hornchurch High School. We value every student as an individual and place great importance on guiding and supporting them both personally and academically so they can achieve their full potential. A strong careers programme is central to this, helping to inspire and motivate students to realise their ambitions for the future.
Our Careers Hub provides useful information and guidance for students and families, including key resources and links to support informed decisions about Post-16 education and future career pathways.
The Assistant Headteacher for Personal Development leads the careers provision, working closely with qualified Careers Advisers from The Shaw Trust, as well as our partners in local colleges and sixth forms. Together, they support students in exploring their interests, developing aspirations and making a successful transition into Post-16 education or training.
Advancing yourself further through learning is important throughout your life. Obtaining a higher education qualification such as a degree, will significantly improve career prospects read on to discover where you learning can take you…
Obtaining a higher education qualification, such as a degree, will significantly improve your career prospects. Not only will there be a wider variety of career options on offer, including the potentially lucrative graduate job market, but once you have graduated you are more likely to be promoted to managerial positions – many organisations are now employing graduates for special trainee schemes. Some occupations such as Law and Medicine demand that you have a degree in a specific subject to be able to build a career in that field.
For further information the best source of information is the UCAS website:
Compare Employment oppotunities between universities and courses:
Finding a Job
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A traineeship is an education and training programme. It is designed for people aged 16 to 24 who don’t yet have the appropriate skills or experience: traineeships provide essential work preparation training, English, Maths and the work experience needed to secure an apprenticeship or employment.
A traineeship has three core elements:
- a high-quality work experience placement with an employer;
- work preparation training, provided by the training organisation;
- English and Maths support, if required, provided by the training organisation.
Traineeships last for anything up to a maximum of 6 months with the content tailored to the needs of the business and the individual.
Employers are not required to pay trainees for the work placement and traineeships are exempt from the Minimum Wage. Young people taking part in traineeships will be undertaking education and training and some may qualify for financial support,
Traineeships: overview for young people
Traineeships are an ideal opportunity for young people, aged 16 to 24, who are motivated to get a job but lack the skills and experience that employers are looking for. Those who have been unsuccessful when applying for an apprenticeship or other position due to a lack of skills and experience will most likely be good candidates for a traineeship.
Traineeship opportunities are advertised regularly on:
Overview:
Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. As an Apprentice you will:
- Work alongside experienced staff.
- Gain job-specific skills.
- Earn a wage and get holiday pay.
- Study towards a related qualification (usually one day a week).
- Apprenticeships take 1 to 4 years to complete depending on their level.
Levels of Apprenticeship:
There are four levels of apprenticeship:
- Intermediate Apprenticeships, which are equivalent to five good GCSEs.
- Advanced Level Apprenticeships, which are equivalent to two A-levels.
- Higher Apprenticeships, which can lead to a HND, HNC or foundation degree.
- Degree Apprenticeships, which lead to a full undergraduate degree and include study at a university.
Who can Apply?
You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school. To start one, you’ll need to be:
- 16 or over.
- Living in England.
- Not in full-time education.
How to Apply:
There are 3 steps to applying for an apprenticeship.
- Search for an apprenticeship.
- Sign in or create an account on the national apprenticeship site.
- Complete and submit your application.
Pay and Conditions:
You will be paid during your apprenticeship and will be entitled to the National Minimum Wage. The current minimum wage rate for an apprentice is £3.50 per hour. This rate applies to apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year of their apprenticeship. You must be paid at least the minimum wage rate for your age if you’re an apprentice aged 19 or over and have completed your first year.
You must be paid for:
- Your normal working hours (minimum 30 hours per week).
- Training that’s part of your apprenticeship (usually one day per week).
Holidays: you will get at least 20 days paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays.
Qualifications
Your qualification will be at Level 2, roughly equivalent to five GCSE passes at grades 9* to 4.
The specific qualification will depend on the apprenticeship. It will often be an NVQ, but there are other qualifications available, like BTECs. You can find a full list of level 2 qualifications on the National Careers Service website.
What subjects can I study?
All of the main areas covered by apprenticeships have intermediate apprenticeships available. However, options are limited in some of them. For example, most ICT apprenticeships are at the advanced level, with intermediate opportunities more limited.
However, an intermediate apprenticeship can be a stepping stone to a higher qualification. If the specific subject you are interested in is not covered, check the entry requirements of other apprenticeships and courses to see what the best next step is.
What kind of work can you do?
There are a huge range of different jobs available, including health and social care, hospitality and mechanical engineering. Usually, the work will be practical, and you won’t specialise much within the job – for example, on a teaching assistant apprenticeship, you would gain experience helping children in the classroom generally rather than focusing on a specific area like children with special educational needs.
What qualifications do I need?
Apprenticeship entry requirements always vary, but as a guideline, you can expect to need a few GCSEs at 9*- 4, including English and Maths. Alternative qualifications, like a level 1 NVQ, could also be enough. Remember that you’ll need both a job and a course. These might have different entry requirements, so check both.
How long does an apprenticeship take?
All apprenticeships must take at least one year. Intermediate apprenticeships rarely take longer than two years, but some lead straight into an advanced apprenticeship, meaning they take longer overall.
Further Information
Please click on the link below to download an informative PowerPoint on Apprenticeships.
KEYPOINTS
Studied at various Levels – Entry, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
Variable GCSE Entry Requirements – must check with individual colleges but as a guide
Level 1 – 2 GCSEs at grade 2 incl. English & Maths
Level 2 – 4 GCSEs at grade 3 incl. English & Maths
Level 3 – 5 GCSEs 9 – 4 incl. English & Maths
Benefits
- Recognised as academically rigorous qualification by employers
- provides people with practical skills
- vocational qualifications that will take you up to the same level as a degree
- More likely to e able to start working sooner than A Levels
- Wide variety of things you can do. E.G Within City and guilds there are over 500 Different
BTEC stands for the Business and Technology Education Council. BTECs are specialist work-related qualifications. They combine practical learning with subject and theory content. There are over 2,000 BTEC qualifications across 16 sectors – they are available from entry level through to professional qualifications at Level 7 (equivalent to postgraduate study).
BTECs are designed for young people interested in a particular sector or industry but who are not yet sure what job they’d like to do.
You could study a BTEC at Level 2 or 3, either alongside academic qualifications or as part of a wider programme (such as an apprenticeship). You can also study a BTEC as a standalone course.
There are over 2,000 BTEC qualifications across 16 sectors, including:
- applied science
- art and design
- business
- childcare
- construction
- engineering
- media
- health and social care
- hospitality
- ICT
- land-based
- performing arts
- public services
- sport
- travel and tourism
BTEC qualifications are flexible – you can take one alongside (or instead of) GCSEs and A levels in schools and colleges. They’re also usually studied full-time, either in college or jointly between a school and a college.
BTECs are divided into units, which cover specific areas of knowledge, skills, and understanding required by the particular sector or industry.
- Every BTEC student takes the core units, which provide a broad foundation and understanding about the sector.
- There is a range of optional units to choose from which enable students to focus on particular interests and plans they have for next steps into further study, an apprenticeship, or employment.
- The course involves a series of assignments which can be written or activity-based, for example creating a film clip, planning and putting on a performance, or creating a business plan. Students complete some assignments individually and some as part of a team. For some BTEC courses, students can also apply their knowledge and skills through work experience.
KEYPOINTS
Minimum entry – 5 GCSEs grade 4 – 9 incl. English Language
Most providers set higher minimum entry for specific subjects; We set a minimum GCSE grade 6 for entry to study English, Sciences, RS, MFL, PE, Psychology and grade 7 for Maths
A Levels can be studied in combination with BTECs
Benefits
- Recognised as academically rigorous qualification by employers
- Natural preparation for traditional degrees
- Studying 3 or 4 subjects provides a more flexible subject mix and greater opportunities for entry on to a wider range of subjects at university
- Demonstrates wider intellectual ability and teaches higher level thinking skills, ie. analysis, critical thinking, evaluation, academic essay writing
- If you have the ability to study A Levels, it will keep more options open to you until after 18
A Levels are Level 3 qualifications that you can choose to take after your GCSEs.
You can take A Levels in schools, sixth form centres or at some Further Education colleges. They are very well regarded by universities and employers.
A Levels will give you a chance to explore your GCSE subjects in greater depth or you can choose to study one of the subjects that many schools and colleges only offer at A Level such as Law, Economics or Psychology. They are good preparation if you are thinking of going onto Higher Education or if you are not sure of your career plans, as they can keep your options open.
Lots of young people choose to do A Levels post-16 and these are excellent general qualifications that are valued by employers and universities. A Levels offer a great route into Higher Education and employment (there are also routes to Higher Education from vocational qualifications).
Remember, even if you decide to do A Levels at 16 you could still do an Advanced, Higher or Degree Apprenticeship later.
Many employers offering Higher or Degree Apprenticeships are asking forA Level grades and UCAS points – just like universities.
Both universities and employers really value A Levels.
After A Level qualifications, many students continue their study or training through an apprenticeship, vocational qualification or a higher education course at a university or college.
A Levels are graded A*-E and these are all regarded as pass grades and gain tariff / UCAS points towards entrance to Higher Education.
Some employers now specify a required number of UCAS points for some of their jobs or apprenticeships.
What are T Levels?
- T Levels are new two year Level 3 qualifications: they are equivalent to 3 x A levels.
- They lead to a specific occupation and are available in a whole range of different areas from Cyber Security to Wildlife Management.
- They are designed by professional bodies, employers and universities so that they are relevant and up to date.
- They include at least 3 months work experience and the opportunity to build transferable skills and knowledge related to the job area.
- You can progress on to apprenticeships, jobs and university.
Who are they for?
- T Levels are for 16 – 19 year olds who want to focus on developing skills and knowledge of a specific occupation or job sector.
Which T Levels are available for September 2020?
- Digital production, design and development (software development technician, junior games designer).
- Design, surveying and planning for construction (civil engineering technician, digital engineering technician, construction site engineering technician).
- Education & childcare (early years educator, teaching assistant, learning mentor).
What will be available available in the future?
- accountancy
- agriculture, land management and production
- animal care and management
- building services engineering
- catering
- craft and design
- cultural heritage and visitor attractions
- design, development and control
- design, surveying and planning
- digital business services
- digital production, design and development
- digital support and services
- education
- financial
- hair, beauty and aesthetics
- health
- healthcare science
- human resources
- legal
- maintenance, installation and repair
- management and administration
- manufacturing and process
- media, broadcast and production
- onsite construction
- science
Now watch the video:
Volunteering is a great way to use your skills to help others, and at the same time learn something new which may lead to a qualification. There are many volunteering opportunities so it’s worth thinking about what you want to do and what you want to get out of it.
As a volunteer you may get the chance to develop new skills, and put into practice existing skills. Although you won’t receive payment, you could have your expenses or training costs covered.
If you want to volunteer to help boost your career, think carefully about the skills and experience you need. Don’t be afraid to be upfront about this when you apply for opportunities – as long as you are willing to show commitment to your voluntary work, most organisations will welcome the fact that it could have benefits for you. Volunteering can give you a broad range of learning opportunities:
- many volunteer placements will allow you to study and develop your ‘key skills’, the skills you need to get on in the workplace, in learning and in life;
- some volunteers receive vocational training in specialist areas such as social care, working with the elderly, or working with children;
- some roles require specific training such as volunteering as a special constable with your local police force.
The organisation you work for usually covers your training costs and expenses in exchange for your time and commitment.
Once you’ve decided that you’d like to volunteer, you can search for volunteering opportunities in your area. Some volunteering roles will suit you more than others so it’s worth thinking about why you want to volunteer, how much time you have available and what skills you can offer. Here are some useful sites to get you started:
POST-16 COLLEGE OPTIONS
POST-16 LOCAL SIXTH FORM OPTIONS
POST-16 ESSEX, THURROCK AND BARKING & DAGENHAM SIXTH FORM OPTIONS
POST-16 GRAMMAR SCHOOL SIXTH-FORM OPTIONS
(High Entry Grades Required)
POST-16 HIGHLY RATED SIXTH FORM/COLLEGE OPTIONS
(High Entry Grades Required)
POST-16 SPECIALIST COLLEGE OPTIONS
POST-18 OPTIONS
Overview:
Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice you will:
- Work alongside experienced staff.
- Gain job-specific skills.
- Earn a wage and get holiday pay.
- Study towards a related qualification (usually one day a week).
- Apprenticeships take 1 to 4 years to complete depending on their level.
Levels of Apprenticeship:
There are four levels of apprenticeship:
- Intermediate Apprenticeships, which are equivalent to five good GCSEs.
- Advanced Level Apprenticeships, which are equivalent to two A-levels.
- Higher Apprenticeships, which can lead to a HND, HNC or foundation degree.
- Degree Apprenticeships, which lead to a full undergraduate degree and include study at a university.
On this page we are looking at Advanced Level, Higher and Degree Apprenticeships.
What are the differences between Intermediate and Higher Level Apprenticeships?
Although the main difference between different levels is how advanced the skills and knowledge you learn will be, there are other things to remember too:
- Higher levels might require more qualifications: for example, some Higher Apprenticeships require you to have A-levels.
- Apprenticeships in some areas are only available at particular levels. For example, Emergency Care is only available as an Intermediate Apprenticeship.
- Your apprenticeship may last longer at a higher level, although this can vary.
- A Higher Apprenticeship can lead to a professional qualification, such as a Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB).
- There are fewer apprenticeships available at Higher and Degree level than at the other levels.
Who can apply?
To start one an apprenticeship, you’ll need to be:
- 16 or over.
- Living in England.
- Not in full-time education
Pay and Conditions
You will be paid during your apprenticeship and will be entitled to the National Minimum Wage. The current minimum wage rate for an apprentice is £3.50 per hour. This rate applies to apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year of their apprenticeship. You must be paid at least the minimum wage rate for your age if you’re an apprentice aged 19 or over and have completed your first year.
You must be paid for:
- Your normal working hours (minimum 30 hours per week).
- Training that’s part of your apprenticeship (usually one day per week).
Holidays: you will get at least 20 days paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays.
Advanced Level Apprenticeships Explained
Qualifications
Your qualification will be at level 3, roughly equivalent to two A-levels.
The specific qualification will depend on the apprenticeship. It will often be an NVQ, but there are other qualifications available, like Foundation Diplomas. You can find a full list of level 3 qualifications on the National Careers Service website.
What subjects can I study?
All of the main areas covered by apprenticeships have advanced apprenticeships available. However, options are limited in some of them. For example, most Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care apprenticeships are at the intermediate level, with advanced opportunities more limited.
Search for apprenticeship opportunities online to find out what is currently available.
Link below:
What kind of work can you do?
There are a huge range of different jobs available, including graphic design, restaurant hospitality and investment. Often, the work will be practical, and you won’t specialise much within the job, but there will often be some planning or creative work and you will normally have more responsibility than on an intermediate apprenticeship.
You may be able to move into a more advanced or specialist role with the same employer after
your apprenticeship, possibly as part of a new, higher-level apprenticeship.
What qualifications do I need?
Apprenticeship entry requirements always vary, but as a guideline, you can expect to need at least five GCSEs at A*-C, including English and maths. Many advanced apprenticeships will need a level 2 qualification in the same area. This is the kind of qualification you get from an intermediate apprenticeship, so you may be able to do an intermediate apprenticeship first if you don’t have the qualification you need.
Remember that you’ll need both a job and a course. These might have different entry requirements, so check both.
How long does an apprenticeship take?
All apprenticeships must take at least one year. Advanced apprenticeships rarely take longer than two years.
Higher Apprenticeships Explained
Qualifications
Your qualification will be from level 4 to level 7, roughly equivalent to a foundation degree. In some cases, you may take the first year of a degree course as part of the apprenticeship, and you may be able to start a related degree course in the second year after your apprenticeship.
The specific qualification will depend on the apprenticeship. It will often be an NVQ, but there are other qualifications available, like foundation degrees. You may also earn an industry-specific qualification. You can find a full list of level 4-7 qualifications on the National Careers Service website.
What subjects can I study?
Higher apprenticeships are most common in:
- Business, Administration and Law.
- Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies.
- Construction, Planning and the Built Environment.
- Information and Communication Technology.
but they are available in other areas too. There aren’t as many higher apprenticeships available overall as intermediate and advanced ones, so you may have to keep looking to find the opportunity you want.
What kind of work can you do?
There are many different jobs available, including financial auditing, quantity surveying and network engineering. The work will often be specialist and detailed, with a lot of theory to learn.
What qualifications do I need?
Apprenticeship entry requirements always vary, but as a guideline, you can expect to need at least two A-levels or to have completed an Advanced apprenticeship.
Remember that you’ll need both a job and a course. These might have different entry requirements, so check both. Your employer will likely require some work experience to accept you as a higher apprentice, and more relevant experience will improve your chances of getting the place.
How long does an apprenticeship take?
Higher apprenticeships must take at least one year. Advanced apprenticeships often take longer than two years, and four years is not uncommon.
Degree Apprenticeships Explained
Qualifications
As the name suggests, degree apprenticeships lead to a full undergraduate degree from an accredited university.
Will I have to pay tuition fees?
No – your fees will be covered, so you don’t need to pay fees or get a tuition fee loan.
Can I get a student loan?
You won’t qualify for a maintenance loan, but you will be earning money from your apprenticeship.
What subjects can I study?
There are fewer degree apprenticeships available than apprenticeships at other levels. You can currently get them in:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Aerospace Software Development
- Automotive Engineering
- Banking Relationship Management
- Chartered Surveying
- Construction
- Defence Systems Engineering
- Digital
- Electronic Systems Engineering
- Laboratory Science
- Nuclear
- Power Systems
- Public Relations
What kind of work can you do?
There are many different jobs available, including surveying, software development and civil engineering. The work will often be specialist and detailed, with a lot of theory to learn, and you might manage staff.
What qualifications do I need?
Entry requirements vary, but will normally be similar to degree courses and given in UCAS points. A high-level BTEC or NVQ in a related area will get you onto some courses, but A-levels will give you access to more.
How long does an apprenticeship take?
Degree apprenticeships will take longer than a full-time degree course, because you will spend some of your time working in your apprenticeship job. You can expect to be in your apprenticeship for around four and a half years.
Can I change levels?
Apprentices don’t normally move from one level to another during their apprenticeship, but it’s fairly common to complete training at one level and then move on to the next. In some cases, you might apply for a programme that combines two (eg. a three-year course with one year in an intermediate apprenticeship and two in an advanced apprenticeship). Alternatively, you can apply for a Higher Level Apprenticeship when you are coming to the end
of your current one, in which case your employer may be willing to keep you on.
Further Information
To access the Government’s website click below:
Apprenticeship helpline:
Telephone: 0800 015 0400 or 0247 682 6482
Finding a Job
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A Foundation Degree (Level 5) is equivalent to the first two years of a Bachelors Degree. The entry requirements tend to be lower than a full degree and take into account work experience. Developed in partnership with employers, they help the student to attain the higher level knowledge and skills that employers are looking for.
You can do a Foundation Degree course at college, university, in the workplace or through a combination of these. Some are also available as distance learning courses. The qualification is often favoured by students who want to work and study at the same time or for those who don’t meet the standard entry requirements.
On completion of a Foundation Degree, there are opportunities to continue your professional development through progression to other professional qualifications, or to an honours degree on either a full or part-time basis.
Full Degrees are also known as Bachelor’s Degrees. Degrees are higher education qualifications that help you develop a thorough understanding of a subject. There are a vast number of subjects to choose from.
A Full Degree is a course of academic study leading to a qualification such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), or Bachelor of Medicine (MB).
It usually takes three or four years to complete full-time (normally four years if you’re doing a sandwich course as this includes a year in industry or abroad). Some full degrees, like medical courses can take longer. You can also study for a degree part-time, or through flexible learning (for example Open University).
The qualification is designed to give you a thorough understanding of a subject. It helps you develop your analytical, intellectual and essay/dissertation writing skills.
There are a vast number of full degree courses to choose from. Some subjects like medicine, law and architecture prepare you for a particular career. Others, like English or history can equip you with skills for a wide range of jobs.
To study for a full degree, you will need to have the qualifications which meet the entrance requirements for the course you wish to study. Most full degrees ask for at least two A levels at grade E or above (or equal grades in other qualifications).
The University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) operates a system called the ‘UCAS Tariff’. Your previous qualifications can earn points on the tariff to help get you a place on a particular higher education course. Different courses will ask for a different number of points.
To find out entrance requirements for a particular course, you can do a search on the UCAS website (link below), or read the course prospectus – most are available from the universities’ websites.
You can study for full degrees at universities, higher education colleges and via distance learning. Degree courses start throughout the year, although most begin in September or October. Check with individual universities/colleges to find out about starting dates for particular courses.
Higher National Certificates are a Level 4 qualification and are are roughly equivalent to one or two years of a degree. With a focus on practical skills and specialist knowledge related to the industry/sector of choice, HNCs can be studied around the world and are among the most highly regarded vocational qualifications within and outside of the UK. They are delivered by universities and further education colleges.
HNCs are available in a wide range of subject areas, including:
- agriculture
- computing and IT
- construction and civil engineering
- engineering
- health and social care
- business and management
- sport and exercise sciences
- performing arts
- retail and distribution
- hospitality management
HNCs are assessed through assignments, projects and practical tasks that you complete throughout the course.
Because HNCs are designed to give you the skills for a particular field of work, they can lead straight to a career. You can also use the qualifications to progress within your current career to gain professional status.
HNCs can allow entry into the second year of a degree.
Although it is possible for people to take a career break at any age, young people will often defer their entry to higher education by a year to enjoy new experiences or learn new skills, or they may choose to take a gap year after graduation and before starting work.
There are many reasons why people choose to take a year out:
- to try new experiences;
- to develop self-confidence and maturity;
- to gain relevant work experience;
- to earn money to fund further learning;
- to give themselves time to think about their options;
- to fulfil their personal ambitions.
Whether you choose to get a job to earn money, take a working holiday abroad or offer your time volunteering to a cause you are interested in, it’s important to plan your year out so that you get the most out of it. Skills gained on a well-structured gap year are much in demand from employers and can make a significant contribution to your own personal development.
There are many websites offering advice and information, including the following websites: