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Careers 8

Careers Advice

Are you thinking about your future or worried about what to do after education? Well, you need not worry, instead we can help you channel your energy into planning what you are going to do. There is plenty of support and help available at Winstanley to help you discover what is right for you and to give you the information you need to shape your future. You can discuss these options individually with your personal tutor, careers advisors and any of the Careers Hub team.

After leaving college there are four main options:                                       

  • Attending a university
  • Starting an apprenticeship or sponsored degree programme
  • Seeking employment
  • Take a gap year

Provider Access Statement

As well as the Careers Hub, your local authority offer free Careers Advice. Careers Connect can support people of all ages at whatever stage of their careers journey. 

Get Support - Career Connect

Attending University

Attending University

Going to university can be the most rewarding, life changing experience. Deciding where to go and what to study can be very daunting but we can help you navigate this decision. With over 160 universities and 65,000 courses in the UK, this is a big decision to make. At Winstanley our personal tutors are UCAS trained in guiding students through this process. During guidance time, students will research different universities and explore which courses are right for you.
If students feel overwhelmed and unsure during this process, our experienced Careers Advisor, Julie Tindall offers detailed and in-depth careers sessions with an action plan of ideas.

Winstanley also runs several events to support students and staff when exploring university options. Our Higher Education Event (HE) in June will inform all students about the application process, from admissions to finance. Many Universities also attend our HE Careers Fair, giving students the opportunity to speak to universities near and far. Winstanley Progression Day in June provides students with informative workshops (chosen by them) on specific HE areas.

The following resources will also support students who are considering university:

www.ucas.com

www.opendays.com

Universities | Education | The Guardian

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships

A recent UCAS report suggested that over 40% of undergraduates are now considering an Apprenticeship or Degree Apprenticeships. The UK is currently undergoing technical reform leaving some undergraduates confused with the structure of apprenticeship qualifications.  Certain subjects lend themselves towards the apprenticeship route such as Business and STEM, however other subjects such as Art and Design are still catching up. Having said this, Apprenticeships are rapidly growing, in particular within the Health sector.

The Careers Hub is way ahead in providing the best knowledge and information on the world of Apprenticeships. We have teamed together with government organisations, apprenticeship providers and key universities who offer degree apprenticeships. The Hub has recently created a specific programme for those considering this pathway. We offer students a range of informative sessions, so they clearly understand all options available. Our programme provides the following events and activities:

  • information evenings with Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge (ASK)
  • workshops throughout the year in line with the application process
  • visits from regional apprenticeships providers such as BAE and PwC

Winstanley also hosts an annual Careers and Apprenticeship event in November with over 50 guests who can engage in meaningful conversations with our students. For more information about our range of employer encounters please see our Provider Access Policy.

Winstanley College Provider Access Policy

The following resources are useful. Please see our Careers Programme Guide for more details. 

RateMyApprenticeship: Apprenticeships, School Leaver Jobs & Reviews

Amazing Apprenticeships

Find an apprenticeship - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Higher & Degree Listing - Amazing Apprenticeships

GetMyFirstJob | Apprenticeships, Degree Apprenticeships, Work Experience & Graduate Jobs

Apprenticeships Role of Honour 2023

Student Destination School
Abernethy, Jordan Police Constable degree apprenticeship with Greater Manchester Police Hawkley Hall HS
Aggrey, Emma Essiwaah SECURED Degree-apprenticeship in Chemistry with United Utilities Ormskirk School
Ainsworth, Tom SECURED Apprenticeship ATT Level 3 in Accountancy with Harman Technology, Knutsford Bedford HS
Armstrong, Jamie Apprenticeship Wigan Council in Business Analytics for housing department.   Standish HS
Ashcroft, Jack Software Engineering apprenticeship with Barclays Shevington HS
Barnes, Caitlin Level 4 Commercial apprenticeship with Aggregate industries - Sales Executive Golborne HS
Barton, Dominic Food technology apprenticeship with Bakkavor St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS
Bass-Heatley, april Digital marketing apprenticeship with Sedexo creating content for Wigan, Blackburn and Preston football clubs with a view to work on Everton's new stadium Standish HS
Callaghan, Matthew Harry Degree Apprenticeship with Porsche in Slough Cansfield HS
Chadwick, Tilly Tax Compliance and accounting with PWC - Level 4 Byrchall HS
Clay, Thomas Level 4 Apprenticeship with AJ Bell Kings Leadership Academy
Court, Louie Accountancy apprenticeship with Churchill's Support Services Hawkley Hall HS
Darroch, Amy Audit Apprenticeship, Level 7 chartered accountant with Grant Thorton Deanery HS
Davis, Anna Clinical Psychologist with NHS Birchwood Community School
Diggins, Thomas Ray Level 3 Optical Advisor at Specsavers  
Francis, Charlotte Kaitlyn Engineering apprenticeship with Bakkavor Standish HS
Gaskell, Elliott James BAE Degree Apprenticeship in Digital Analytics  Hawkley Hall HS
Green, Layton James Level 3 Accountancy apprenticeship with P.A. Hull & Co. SECURED Outwood Grange Hindley
Heaton, Darcy Dental Nurse Apprenticeship Ormskirk School
Hillan, Chris Apprenticeship Engineer Level 3 - Jungheinrich (Forklifts) Fred Longworth HS
Hilton, luca Apprenticeship with Wigan Council Administ and Finance Standish HS
Hilton, Sofia Apprenticeship Co-op Academy Walkden
Hunter, Charlie SECURED degree-apprenticeship as Data Analyst with Netacea Fred Longworth HS
Hunter, Eva PDCA - Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship Hawkley Hall HS
Johnson, Harry Investment Operations apprenticeship with AJ Bell Bedford HS
Jones, Tyler Sales Executive Apprenticeship - Britplas Level 4 Byrchall HS
Kay, Hannah Tax Consulting Degree Apprenticeship with Deloitte Great Sankey HS
Keogh-Coop, Chloe Apprenticeship at Nursery Nurse at Ducklands Day Nursery Golborne HS
Knowles, Robert Tax Consulting Degree Apprenticeship with Deloitte St. Bede's RCHS
Lamble, Reece Lamble  Roofing Apprenticeship - Fulwood Roofing Services Northen Ltd. St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS
Lanyon, Amelia Customer Service Assistant, Apprenticeship, Rutter Green Estatae Agents Standish HS
Lavin, Jessica Degree-apprenticeship with B.A.E. in Air Digital and Technology Solutions Data Analysis Byrchall HS
Lee, Amelia Operations specialist apprenticeship with AJ Bell Birchwood Community School
Liggat, Tom Apprenticeship with NFG - Mechanical and Design Engineering St. Bede's RCHS
Lightbown, Lucy Abigail Sustainability apprentice for TransPenine Express St. Joseph's RCHS, Horwich
Linsner, Megan Passport Office Degree Apprenticeship with Home Office secured Kirkby HS
Martin, Larissa Trainee Lab Technician with Gentronix Sponsored Degree St. Peter's RCHS
Maunder, Tom Police Constable degree apprenticeship, University of Salford Outwood Grange Hindley
Mcconville, Frankie SECURED Degree apprenticeship in Digital and Technology Solutions with Barclay's Hawkley Hall HS
Mcguire, Molly Degree Apprenticeship with BAM Construction  Standish HS
Naughalty, Oliver Technology degree apprenticeship with Barclays, confirmed Kings Leadership Academy
Nuttie, Tony Jay EDP Level 6 Apprenticeship in Building Services and Design Cansfield HS
Parry, Paul Environmental Practioner degree apprenticeship with "Amey" St. Bede's RCHS
Percival, Ben Audit and assurance apprentice with Champion Culcheth HS
Ponsillo, ollie Level 2 Apprenticeship in Finance and Accountancy with Peninsula, Manchester. St. Mary's RCHS, Leigh
Porter, Eva Digital Production with Channel 4 Bolton School
Prescott, Ella Degree apprenticeship in data analytics with Lloyds Banking Group St. Bede's RCHS
Pytel, Emilia Police Constable degree apprenticeship with Greater Manchester Police Bedford HS
Ramejkis, Harrison Mackenzie Level 4 Sports Coaching with Educationwise Academy secured Upholland HS
Rathbone, Ben Level 4 Investment operations specialist with AJ Bell St. Bede's RCHS
Reid, Peter SECURED Degree apprenticeship in Qunatity Surveying with Longworth Building Services St. Peter's RCHS
Rowlett, Beth Recruitment/ digital marketing with Higher Group/ DMT Co-op Academy Walkden
Royle, Kobi Degree Apprenticeship with Barclays Bank operations Co-op Academy Walkden
Sanchez, Eva Graphic Design Apprenticeship  St. Bede's RCHS
Saunders, Tom SECURED Level 3 Civil Engineering apprenticeship with Mott MacDonald Birchwood Community School
Seyi, Jesse Secured a degree apprenticeship with Manchester City Council as an Integration Developer Other
Shuttleworth, Ollie Degree apprenticeship with PWC in Manchester Hawkley Hall HS
Sinclair, Elizabeth Hannah SECURED Apprenticeship (Level 3) in Pensions Administration at First Actuarial St. Mary's RCHS, Leigh
Swift, Ellie Digital Marketing apprenticeship in the NHS St. Peter's RCHS
Taberner, Aaron Level 2 progressing onto Level 7 Apprenticeship with Caroola group in Accountancy Bedford HS
Unsworth, Will Apprenticeship with Amazon Hawkley Hall HS
White, Charlie  Quantity Surveying degree apprenticeship with Dalkia Outwood Grange Hindley
Wilson, Dom Level 3 apprenticeship in Digital Engineering Our Lady's RCHS, Skelmersdale
Woods, Oliver Apprenticeship with Vialto - as a global mobility partner St. Peter's RCHS

Seeking Employment

Seeking Employment

After two years of study, some students are ready for the world of work. Employment is also an opportunity to experience certain professions before embarking on further studies.  We can help and support you at Winstanley.

Our AEP programme also provides workshops which will prepare students to represent themselves professionally. Our Work Experience Coordinator is also available for employment searches. All students can self-refer if they need support with the following.

  • finding the right career for you
  • how to write a CV and cover letter
  • interview advice and MOCK interview practice

The following resources will also help you.

Job sectors | Prospects.ac.uk

Not Going To Uni: Apprenticeships & Work Experience in the UK

Careers Advice | Apprenticeships and Jobs Advice | UCAS

https://uk.indeed.com

https://www.gov.uk/find-a-job

Taking a gap year

Taking a gap year 

A gap year usually means taking a year out in between your studies, often at age 18 and after Level 3 qualifications such as A-levels. There are lots of things you could do in a gap year like travelling, working or volunteering.

Some people apply and get a place at university and then ask for their place to be deferred so that they can take a gap year. You will need to Request a deferred place when you apply:

Defered Entry To University | UCAS

A gap year can offer a great opportunity to develop personal and employability skills or to get experience working in a job area of interest or to meet people from different cultures. Also, some people use their gap year to confirm what sort of job or career they are interested in before they choose their next step. 

There are companies which will help you plan your gap year. If you want the experience of a gap year to help you plan your future career or want to use it to show potential employers' evidence of your skills or independence, then try and make sure you balance the fun elements with developing useful skills for the future. Make sure to sell what you have learned through the experience of a gap year in your applications for jobs and courses.

Make an appointment with the Careers Hub Team if you would like to discuss various options within a one to one. There are all sorts of considerations when taking a gap year. The following can help you make that decision.

Gapyear

Volunteer Abroad with Plan My Gap Year | #1 Most Affordable Programs

Gap year travel - Approved gap year providers - Gap year advice (yearoutgroup.org)

https://www.volunteerhq.org/

Gap year opportunities | Prospects.ac.uk

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