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Good Luck from Derby College
You are now coming to the end of your course and I would like to thank you for
choosing to study at Derby College.
This College Leavers Pack is intended to help you with your future career choices
whether you are continuing in education or moving into employment.
Although you are leaving your current course in July, you may return to study at
Derby College in the future. You may join an apprenticeship programme or gain
training with an employer through the College. You may also study a part time
course at your leisure or higher education programme. Whatever the
circumstances, we look forward to welcoming you back!
Remember we want to help you shape your future; you can make it happen at
Derby College. If you are returning to College in September we will continue to help
you boost your skills, work towards that dream career and learn more about life and
yourself.
By choosing Derby College we believe you've made the right choice, for now and
the future.
David Croll
Principal and Chief Executive
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Be prepared
Know what you’ll do in the best
and worst case scenarios. Chat to
your parents, teachers or a
careers adviser about your
options and read the rest of
this guide to find out
more.
Help is on hand
The National Exam Results
Helpline is staffed by careers
advisers who can answer any
questions you have. The number
is 0808 100 8000, so save it in
your phone.
Student
Services Team
If you are returning to College to
study a part-time course in
September, speak to our Student
Services team about the courses
available.
Don’t panic
No matter what grades you get you
will still have plenty of options. Go
with friends to get your results so
you can celebrate together and
lend support to each other.
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Discover which way you
can go now. You'll find
info on all your options
within this pack.
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Got the grades you were predicted?
You’ve done all you need to do. UCAS will let your university know that you got the
grades and you’ll soon receive the official letter with details of what to do next.
Better grades than you expected?
If you did better than you were predicted and have exceeded the conditions of
your firm choice of university you have the option of Adjustment. This allows you
to look for an alternative course without losing your original choice. Just go back
to Track on the UCAS website and follow the information within your profile.
Didn’t get the grades you needed?
No need to panic. Here are your options.
your firm offer university department as they might still be willing to accept
1 Call
you.
you missed out on your firm choice but made your insurance offer then that’s
2 Ifwhere
you’ll be off to study. Give them a call to confirm this and UCAS will take
care of the rest.
is an option to request your exams be re-marked. Your school or college
3 There
will be able to request this but it can take a few weeks and there is a fee to pay.
you think you have really underperformed you also have the option to re-sit
4 Ifyour
exams. This will probably mean having to wait until next year to go to
university though.
if you really want to go to uni this year but don’t have the grades
5 However
needed for your firm or insurance offer, one final option to consider is going
through Clearing which is explained on the next page.
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Clearing is available through UCAS and helps people without a university
or college place to find suitable vacancies on higher education courses. If
you are flexible and have reasonable exam results, there is still a good
chance you will find another course through Clearing.
Our 6 Clearing tips
what’s on offer – official vacancy lists are published on the UCAS website
1 See
and in the national media following the release of exam results. These are
constantly updated so keep checking. During Clearing you can apply for any of
the courses that you qualify for.
in touch – the best way to find out about a university or college, its
2 Get
accommodation and social life, is to visit to see if you like it. Most will be happy
to make arrangements to meet applicants and some will have open days too.
Clearing Number – when you contact a university or college they will ask
3 Your
for your Clearing Number. This is displayed on the 'Welcome' page and 'Choices'
page in UCAS Track.
your choice – if a university or college that you like offers you a place
4 Make
during Clearing, they will give you a deadline for when you need to enter their
course details on Track. You’ll then need to log on, click 'Add Clearing choice'
and enter their course details online.
your place – UCAS then let the university or college know that you’ve
5 Confirming
entered their details on Track. If you are accepted you will receive a letter to tell
you that your place is confirmed and details of anything that you need to do next.
If you are not accepted, the 'Add Clearing choice' link in Track will be reactivated
so you can apply for another choice.
ready for September – once you’ve been accepted by a university or college
6 Get
that you like you can relax and prepare for September. Check if there are any
reading lists to get started on and find out about the social events and clubs
you’ll be enjoying over the next few years!
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Land Based
Apprenticeships
New for 2011!
Floristry, Equine,
Agriculture and Animal
Care programmes at
Derby College.
Contact 01332
387400 extension
number 4057 for more
information.
Derby College offers
apprenticeships
We offer
apprenticeships in a
vast range of
disciplines.
Call us to find out
about the opportunities
available to you.
Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to gain practical
experience and earn money, whilst working towards an
industry recognised qualification. You will also improve
functional skills such as Maths, English and in some
cases ICT whilst working towards a technical certificate.
Apprenticeships at Derby College
Derby College offer Apprenticeships in Business (including
Administration, Accounting, Sales, IT and Customer Service),
Construction (including Brickwork, Carpentry and Joinery,
Plastering, Painting and Decorating, Plumbing), Care,
Electrical Installation, Motor Vehicle, Hospitality and Catering,
Hairdressing and Barbering, Beauty, Sport, Floristry, Equine,
Agriculture, Animal Care, Oral Health and Retail. For further
details of the Apprenticeships available at Derby College,
please speak to the Apprenticeship team. They are based at
the Roundhouse but you can ring them direct on 01332
387400 ext 4057. For details of Apprenticeships throughout
Derbyshire go to www.apprenticeship.org.
Derby College Apprentice
Recruitment Service
The Derby College recruitment service can help you find an
employer and get the right job, we offer free advice on
interview techniques, CV, and job applications, as well as
matching your interests with apprenticeship vacancies. Call
us on 0800 028 0289 to speak to a member of the
Apprenticeship Team.
0800 0280289
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1. Apprenticeships
Looking for a career
in the automotive
industry?
Equivalent to five GCSE’s grade C and above.
Apprentices work towards qualifications such as NVQ
Level 2, Functional Skills, in some cases, a relevant
knowledge-based qualification such as a BTEC.
Apprenticeships provide the skills needed for your
chosen career and allow entry to an Advanced
Apprenticeship.
Derby College offers the
ideal apprenticeship
opportunities for you.
There are opportunities
for hands-on careers in
the vehicle engineering
sector. Call 0800
0280289 for further
information.
2. Advanced Apprenticeships
Equivalent to two A level passes.
Advanced apprentices work towards qualifications
such as NVQ Level 3, Functional Skills and, in most
cases, a relevant knowledge-based certificate such as
a BTEC.
Derby College’s
Advanced
Engineering
Apprenticeship
Train as an Engineer over
2 -3 years. This
To start this programme, you should ideally have five apprenticeship is approved
GCSEs (grade C or above) or have completed an
by the Institution of
Apprenticeship.
Mechanical Engineers’
Engineering Technician
Qualifications Group so
apprentices can achieve
full membership when they
complete.
Higher Apprentices work towards work-based learning
3. Higher Apprenticeships
qualifications such as NVQ Level 4 and, in some cases,
knowledge-based qualifications such as Foundation
degrees, allowing you to earn and learn at the same time.
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Distance Learning
Derby College
Advanced
Apprenticeships
Distance learning is when you study for a qualification away
from college or university.
Derby College has a
wealth of expertise in
training apprentices. With
an apprenticeship you can
earn while you are learning
and gaining recognised
qualifications, giving you
relevant on the job
experience. Call 0800
0280289 for further
information.
This allows you to study at home in your own time when it
suits you. Rather than attend classes and lectures, the
course content is delivered to you online, on DVDs, books,
podcasts and online lectures with the support of a tutor on
email or phone. Distance learning is often thought of as an
option only for mature students, but it is available to all and is
a cheap and flexible alternative to conventional study.
Derby College
exclusively offers parttime Higher Education
programmes with
Nottingham Trent
University and Sheffield
Hallam University.
Qualifications include,
Foundation Degrees,
Higher National
Certificates and PGCEs.
Contact 0800 0280289.
Put off university by student debts? You can gain higher
education quaifications in most subjects through distance
learning providers and have a job at the same time, allowing
you to fund your studies rather than take out a loan.
Commitment and self-motivation are a must when it comes
to distance learning and it is these qualities which make
distance learners so highly valued by employers.
Undergraduate Programmes
Employers are increasingly looking at how they can work with
universities to produce graduates who know more about their
world of work. This could be for you if you have a high level of
grades and a desire to gain both practical and academic skills.
With undergraduate programmes you would typically work
with an employer during holidays or for a year during a
degree; this is known as a sandwich course. You would then
study at university for a degree the rest of the time. As well as
potentially earning a salary on the job another advantage of an
undergraduate programmes is that you gain valuable
experience and often stand a good chance of securing a full
time job with the employer when you complete your studies.
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Why take a gap year?
Taking a gap year can open a world of opportunities. Whether you want to travel or
earn money, a gap year is all about gaining life and work experiences. It can help
you figure out what you want to do in life, broaden your horizons and develop the
practical skills and experiences that are so important to employers.
A year in industry
Spending a year out of study and in industry will help you develop your work
experiences, focus on what you might want to do in your career and earn money
for future studies. It's a great way to further yourself and your career prospects.
Visit yini.org.uk for industry placements.
Volunteering
A popular option is volunteering; going to countries in need of aid and helping to
build schools and hospitals, working with endangered animals and helping those
less privileged to live cleaner and safer lives. Volunteering, whether at home or
abroad is both highly rewarding and a great asset to any CV.
For volunteering visit www.do-it.org.uk.
Teaching English as a foreign language
Another growing trend is to enroll on global education programmes such as
teaching English as a foreign language, helping groups of foreign students learn
English in Africa, Asia and South America. A degree isn’t a necessity either. Often
all you need is some teaching experience and a good standard of spoken English.
If you’re considering a gap year make sure you do the following:
Have a plan for what you want to do during your gap year. Before
you know it, another 12 months will have flown by, so make the
most of this opportunity and don’t waste it lounging on the sofa!
There’s nothing worse for an employer than someone who’s spent
a whole year doing nothing to further themselves.
1
2
Work out how much it will cost you. Travelling and volunteering
can be rewarding but expensive so make sure that whatever your
plans are you can afford them.
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If staying in education isn’t for you and you think you’re ready for the
world of work then it’s probably time for you to get a job and start earning.
Here are a few helpful ways to find the job that’s right for you.
Newspapers & Online
The national papers often advertise vacancies that are for employees with
experience but you will still find entry level positions on offer both in the jobs
sections of their newspapers and their websites. Your local paper will also be a
great source of jobs in your area. You’ll also find plenty of jobsites online where
you will be able to sign up for email updates and upload your CV.
Recruitment Agencies
Registering with recruitment agencies will help you find work. Once you’ve
registered keep in touch with your consultant so you are one of the first people
they think of when a suitable job comes up.
Job Centre Plus
This is a government service to help jobseekers into work. You would first need
to be registered to receive Jobseekers Allowance and you would then have an
interview with an adviser. You don’t need to be registered to access the
Jobcentre Plus list of jobs on their website though.
College leaver training scheme
Some of the UK’s largest employers run their own training schemes for college
leavers. These schemes offer you a full wage and fast-tracked promotions whilst
you’re supported through training. If you’re interested in a particular employer,
have a look at their website and see if they run school or college leaver
schemes.
Starting your own business
Derby College now delivers Qualify with a Business (QWAB), the first and only
qualification in self-employment or Enterprise. Each course module comprises a
series of topics many new businesses find challenging during the early trading
period. For more information contact 0800 028 0289.
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Still not sure?
Visit www.careersbox.co.uk for some inspiration. Careersbox has a video library
containing hundreds of short careers films showing what it’s like to do all sorts of
jobs, which help you find a job that suits you.
The Derby College recruitment service can help you find an employer and get the
right job, we offer free advice on interview techniques, CV, and job applications, as
well as matching your interests with apprenticeship vacancies. Call us on 0800 028
0289 to speak to a member of the Apprenticeship Team.
Useful links
www.careersbox.co.uk - careers films, opportunities and information
www.do-it.org.uk - vacancies for volunteers
www.direct.gov.uk - the official UK government website
nextstep.direct.gov.uk - information, careers advice and resources
www.cityandguilds.com - the UKs leading awarding body for qualifications
www.apprenticeships.org.uk - the national apprenticeships website
www.careerswales.com - careers information and advice in Wales
www.ucas.ac.uk - the route to higher education
www.yini.org.uk - student placements for work experience
www.derby-college.ac.uk - call 0300 123 7890 for information and advice on
Derby College and courses
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.co.uk
CAREERS FILMS ON THE WEB