With challenges and barriers in the way of fulling your dream career, do you simply quit, or do you face these challenges head-on with some support?
Outwood Grange Academy student, Nafeesa, decided that no matter what, she would stay focused on fulfilling her dream career of becoming a Midwife. Helping her overcome these barriers, Nafeesa received support not only from the school, but additionally from her CareersInc Adviser.
Nafeesa came across CareersInc via her sister, who had recommended their services and highly praised the support she had received. Nafeesa always wanted to be a Midwife and lacked confidence in achieving her career goal. She knew it was a competitive career to get into, and it would be unlikely that she would have a smooth progression route.However, her Careers Adviser, John, pulled out all of the stops to ensure that Nafeesa would reach her full potential in her dream career.
During her sessions with John, they discussed the various options that Nafeesa could consider to enhance her CV and boost her University application. Together, they searched and uncovered a number of work experience opportunities that would assist Nafeesa on her career journey.
Thanks to the support Nafeesa received from CareersInc, she is currently awaiting her start date in October 2020 to join her local hospital as a Midwife. She recently contacted CareersInc to share her success. She said:
“Mr Payley was very supportive and believed in me. For my own reassurance, he even set-up a back-up plan if things didn’t go accordingly. I felt I was able to relieve my personal stress relating to Sixth Form and he was always friendly, understanding and empathetic.
“I believe he is a great asset to the team at CareersInc who goes above and beyond for his students and I am forever grateful for his support. I couldn’t have done it without him!”
John and the CareersInc team were delighted to hear the great news from Nafeesa. They are passionate about helping students achieve their goals and map out their future in terms of careers.
CEO at CareersInc, James Madine, was delighted with the kind words from Nafeesa regarding her experience, He said,
“Everyone in the team works extremely hard and they all share the same passion and commitment as John. They are all prepared to go the extra mile, to support their students, which has been particularly evident during the lockdown when advisers have worked evenings and even weekends to support students when needed. But when a student takes the time to get back in touch and share their incredible success with such kind words about a member of your team, I couldn’t be prouder.
“Nafeesa is just one example of the amazing work from my team and the impact of Careers Education in schools. We all wish her the best of luck in her new career!”
CareersInc are Matrix accredited provider of independent and impartial Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) in schools and colleges, supporting young people, like Nafeesa, to make decisions about their future.
As schools across the country had to close their doors and open their online classrooms during the recent lockdown, the team at CareersInc also adapted their delivery, to offer virtual careers, information, advice, and guidance to schools.
The team responded quickly to develop an online solution that would still provide young people with access to their Careers Adviser. And they were overwhelmed with the uptake, working with over 50 schools and more than 3,000 students throughout April and May.
CareersInc are passionate about supporting young people to plan their career journey, opening doors to the variety of options and educational routes that can lead to specific careers. Their virtual service enabled learners from all year groups, along with parents and carers, to book one-to-one online sessions with a Careers Adviser to discuss future career options.
Taking advantage of these online sessions, students used their time to discuss routeways after year 11, higher education options, Careers Guidance and the local and national labour market to name just a few.
CEO of CareersInc, James Madine, is delighted with the outcome of the virtual services launched pre-lockdown. He said,
“The Virtual Careers Advice has been a successful resource not only for learners, parents and carers but for us. It has highlighted the high demand for our services.
When physically in a school, it’s convenient for young people to access their adviser, but for them to go out of their way to book a session shows the positive impact that we’ve had on promoting the importance of careers education and planning their future, no matter what age group.”
Jodie Gregory, Careers Lead at The Academy @ Ridgewood Trust, has also been delighted with the level of support offered during these difficult times. She said “ The CareersInc adviser that works in our school have supported our students throughout the closure of schools, offering 1:1 guidance both on the phone and via email. Our students have really appreciated the support and have often been in touch more than once. The CareersInc service has been second to none and the advisers have been extremely flexible, adapting their normal way of working to ensure our students for what they need, when they needed it. The advisers continue to offer first-class support to our students and have been an asset to the school.”
On average, each CareersInc Adviser supported 6 students per day throughout April and May with Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). To find out more about their Virtual Careers Advice, visit their website.
CareersInc, an impartial information, education, advice and guidance (CEIAG) provider have signed-up to sponsor the newly created Careers & Enterprise Award at the Educate Awards. The new category recognises those schools, academies and colleges who are preparing young people the best they can for their future careers.
The Educate Awards, now in their 8th year, were founded by Kim O’Brien to celebrate the excellent education and support being delivered by schools in the Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester areas. Nominations are judged by a panel of judges, before the shortlist being announced prior to the event taking place.
This year sees five new award categories launched, with the Careers & Enterprise Award being one. At a time of such uncertainty for young people, quality and impartial careers advice and guidance has never been more important. A report published by NCFE warns of increased levels of unemployment in Q3 of 2020 compared to the end of 2019, with figures being around 2.88m. This spike is likely to have a knock-on effect on young people seeking Post 16 pathways, as companies contract to survive. This situation may result in fewer apprenticeship training opportunities, and more competition for each job advertised. Therefore, impartial Careers Advice and Guidance (CIAG) will be crucial for helping to advise and guide young people as to their various Post 16 pathways, ensuring that they are aware of all routes open to them, their advantages and disadvantages. This commitment to providing quality careers guidance aligns with the Government’s aspirations and guidance.
Talking of their involvement in the awards, James Madine, CEO of CareersInc said;
“We knew we wanted to get involved and give something back to our industry again this year. CareersInc sponsoring the new Careers & Enterprise Award category seemed such a great fit, as we wanted to celebrate the schools and Careers Advisers who have gone above and beyond to prepare their pupils for their best possible future. This year has been particularly challenging for Year 11s, so quality and impartial careers advice and guidance is of paramount importance. We must do everything we can to ensure that the current situation doesn’t adversely impact young people from progressing into HE/FE/vocational pathways.
“As an industry, we have a duty to support our pupils to understand that their Post 16 options are still available to them, even though traditional Open Days or exams aren’t taking place; and that their hopes and dreams are still alive, even if things look and feel different to them right now.”
This commitment and spirit is just what the judges will be looking for when judging this category, as they’ll be looking to see excellent examples of career-related learning about the range of career pathways and opportunities available to them. The judges will also look for examples of schools and Careers Leaders who have helped to develop an exceptional enterprise and entrepreneurship mind-set in their pupils.
James went on to say;
“Now more than ever is it vitally important that we come together to recognise and reward those working in the education sector. Over the past few months, we have seen our industry go through such challenges times, as schools were told to close their doors in order to protect lives. But my fellow educational colleagues stepped up to this challenge, finding innovative and engaging ways to still support their students. From teaching to support staff, it was incredible to see how we have all come together as an industry. It is this strength and commitment why I feel this year’s Educate Awards are so important – as now more than ever do we need to stand-up and applaud our colleagues.”
Kim O’Brian, Founder of the Educate Awards commented;
“We are thrilled to have CareersInc on board and supporting the new Careers & Enterprise Award. Preparation for future employment in the ever-changing world of work is so important and it is only right to shine the spotlight on those schools and colleges that are going above and beyond for pupils and students.”
The Educate Awards are scheduled to take place in November 2020 in Liverpool. Visit their website to find out more or to get involved.
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