The aim of Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CAIG) at Central Academy is to ensure that every young person has raised aspirations enabling them to develop skills, behaviours and characteristics that will reinforce success in education and employment.  Central Academy's intention is to promote the best interests of the pupils by broadening horizons and empowering students with information on all options accessible to them, allowing them to make autonomous yet informed realistic decisions at all key transition points in their education and beyond.

The careers guidance team provide a programme of career related events throughout the academic year.  Some examples are:

• External speakers invited in from major employers around the county such as Nestle, Pirelli, Innovia, Stagecoach and more to deliver assemblies to all year groups to talk to students about opportunities, prospects and pathways.

• Individual ‘Careers Interviews’ with a qualified Careers Advisor for all students in Yr10, 11 & 13.  This enables students to discuss options, pathways and seek Careers related guidance on a one-to-one basis.

• KS 5 Students have access to Uni-Frog via a school subscription.

• Yr10 & 12 Works Experience programme in collaboration with Cumbria WEX.

• NHS Blue Light event

• BAE STEM Workshops

• Carlisle College Taster Sessions

• Careers Guidance incorporated into tutor time sessions.

• University trips and UCAS Fairs

• Careers advice & Information area in school for all students.

• We work in partnership with ‘Hello Future’ who provide

  • Group Mentoring

  • Growth Mindset workshops

  • Summer Residentials

  • 1:1 Mentoring

  • Life Skills Workshops

• External training providers such as Carlisle College, Gen2, Newton Rigg College, University of Cumbria & RWP deliver sessions related to Post 16 options and opportunities.

• Gen 2 Workshop – focusing on applying for apprenticeships and how to progress through the rigorous application process

• Duke of Edinburgh Scheme – teaching life and employability skills.

• Study Skills Seminar for Yr10 & 11

• Step up to sixth form’ day for Yr11 students.  

• Dedicated school ‘Careers advisor’ on site and accessible to students, always, to offer support, advice and guidance with access to up to date resources covering all aspects of Careers advice and Labour Market Information.

• 1:1 and group sessions with our local Inspira Representative.

Gatsby Career Guidance

Hints and Tips for Parents / Carers

October 2023 Parent & Carer Pack

September 2023 Parent & Carer Pack

Here at Inspira we understand that it has been a worrying time for young people and there is still lots of confusion. Along with their parents, some young people are unsure what the future holds.

www.hellofuture.ac.uk - Hello Future is a partnership of local universities, colleges & employers who are committed to improving access to higher education young people in Cumbria. 

www.carlisle.ac.uk – Carlisle College provides students with the best facilities that reflect those found in industry, combined with teaching staff who are experts in their fields and have real life industry experience.

www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk - We provide information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work.

www.ucas.com - UCAS connects people to University, post Uni studies including teacher training, apprenticeships & internships. Find all the information for your next step.

How2Become - How2Become.com is the UK’s leading careers and educational information and development website. From here, you can learn how to write a CV, how to complete an application form, how to pass psychometric tests and also how to pass any job interview.

www.gen2.ac.uk - Our ethos focusses on providing high quality employer and learner responsive training and educational programmes. We work with over 300 employers at any one time and in the last eighteen years, over 3,750 apprentices have been trained by Gen2, with 92.5% of them progressing into full-time employment with their employer once training has been completed. 

Myerscough College - Myerscough’s partnership with Ullswater Community College, in Penrith in Cumbria, recognises the importance of the future of the agriculture and animal management sectors to the county, and how vital it is that the next generation have the best possible opportunity to obtain high level qualifications locally. This partnership, which has already been welcomed by leaders and high-profile figures in both fields, will ensure continuity of study for learners in agriculture and animal studies affected by the recent closure of Newton Rigg College, as well as increasing options for other students in Cumbria, who perhaps previously felt full-time study so far from home was too much of an obstacle.

www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship - Register your profile, search vacancies and apply for an apprenticeship - you must be ... Find an apprenticeship anywhere in England.  

www.prospects.ac.uk - Prospects for graduate jobs, postgraduate study, advice about work experience, internship opportunities and graduate careers.

https://targetcareers.co.uk/parents - Get to grips with the options available for bright school leavers – both university and higher-level training programmes with employers. Who would they suit and what are the implications for future employability?

https://successatschool.org - Success at School is the place for young people to explore careers, get the lowdown on top employers, and search for the latest jobs, courses and advice. Get career smart and Register today!  Direct link to Job Opportunities - Suucess@Schools Job Opportunities Page

https://www.youthemployment.org.uk - Experts on youth employment and unemployment, we are ideally placed to understand the complex landscape facing young people, employers and policy makers.

https://learnliveuk.com/careers - Inspiring the next generation through engaging and interactive live broadcasts.

https://www.careersandenterprise.co.uk - Inspiring and preparing young people for the fast changing world or work.
 

UniFrog Website: https://www.unifrog.org/

Students guide to using UniFrog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZS2tn_3LGU&feature=emb_logo

Parents guide to using UniFrog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KksyeIihOAw&feature=emb_logo

Work Experience – 28^th April - 2^nd May.

All students in Years 10 & 12 are going to be on Work Experience from 25th – 28th March 2024. During this period all students will be expected to be at the workplace of their choice.

Work Experience gives students the chance to learn about what type of job they might enjoy, and develop their skills & knowledge as well as their CV. We know it can be one of the most transformational experiences young people have during their education and is extremely beneficial to any young person to have this opportunity.

Students (and their families) should source their own work experience placements.

Nicola Whyte the Academy Careers Co-ordinator will do her best to support students in finding a placement, although we will be encouraging all students to do this independently.

This year, for the first time, we are using Unifrog (www.unifrog.org) to manage the administration of the Work Experience Programme – for example collecting information from the employer about their Risk Assessment and Health & Safety policy, as well as getting agreement from yourselves for the placement to go ahead. All parents & students should have received information on how to do this via email.

Some important logistics:

• Students need to agree the placement with the employer first, and then students will get the ball rolling by adding the placement to their Unifrog account (they’ll find the Placements tool on their Unifrog homepage). Most importantly we need a working email address to contact the employer to confirm information. If we don’t have this the placement cannot be confirmed.

• The Unifrog system will then email the employer, the parent / carer, and the academy, to collect the necessary information and permissions. For the process to work, it’s essential that students add the initial information about the placement accurately. Also, if you think the email address we currently hold on file for you may be incorrect please can you update this as soon as possible.

Finding out more:

• Unifrog have created a set of guides about placements which you can find at: www.unifrog.org/student/know-how/placements-work-experience

 Next steps:

• Please read the placement guides on Unifrog, and then start contacting possible hosts for the Placement.

• If you have any questions, email Nicola Whyte - our work experience lead at nicola.whyte@rrca.org.uk

We wish you the best of luck with supporting your child to find a placement. Please do make use of the Unifrog guides below to help you.