Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance
With thousands of different types of jobs out there, finding the right one for you can seem overwhelming. Maybe you had your heart set on a particular career path but now need to reconsider, or perhaps there are just too many options to choose from.
If you find yourself in this situation, there is no need to worry, there are several ways to narrow down the field. Start by discovering where your passions lie by thinking about what you enjoy doing. You can also gain valuable insights by talking to others about their careers and hearing why they recommend them.
ATL’s Careers Education, Information and Guidance Activities Programme (CEIAG)
Achievement Training will help you with your career planning through a variety of CEIAG activities linked to the curriculum. Vocational tutors will provide opportunities for employer engagement sessions, which may include masterclasses, visiting speakers or enrichment activities. We can also provide additional help with:
- Researching careers information
- Careers pathways
- Job seeking and updating/developing your CV
- Guide to employment
- Completing applications for employment
- Interview preparation
For students who wish to apply to higher education we can provide information on:
- Help with understanding UCAS points
- UCAS applications
- Researching appropriate universities and method of application
- Completing higher education application forms
The Centre is well supported by Personal Advisers from Careers Southwest. They offer one to one support, careers interviews, group work activities as well as attending open days and careers events.
Resources:
In respect of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance ATL staff will have up-to-date information on training opportunities, higher education and occupational details that are available. The internet can also be a valuable tool to help with your career ideas. Information and guidance facilities can be accessed on computers available within the Centre.
Websites:
Most information about different jobs, careers and higher education, can be obtained on the internet. Useful websites to use:
www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk Careers and jobs
www.prospects.ac.uk – Job and course searches
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/– Careers information
www.allaboutcareers.com – Careers information and more
www.ucas.com –Higher Education information/UCAS points
LifeSkills | Developing work and life skills Skills and experiences needed to enter the world of work
www.carerrpilot.org.uk – Career choices tools
www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices – Find out how to become an apprentice
The Gatsby Benchmarks
The Gatsby Benchmarks are designed to provide a structured and comprehensive foundation for career guidance in educational institutions. They offer a holistic approach to ensuring that students receive relevant, targeted and practical support to make informed decisions about their future careers.
With these benchmarks in place, students benefit from structured programmes, access to valuable information about career paths and labour markets, personalised guidance and meaningful interactions with employers and workplaces. This ensures a well-rounded understanding of their options and the skills they need to succeed in their chosen fields.
Here is a brief overview of the benchmarks:
- A stable careers programme: Every provider must embed a structured careers programme.
- Learning from career and labour market information: All learners should access information about careers and the job market.
- Addressing the needs of each pupil: Tailored support for each learner’s career aspirations.
- Linking curriculum learning to careers: Integrating curriculum learning with careers, even in courses that are not specifically occupational led.
- Encounters with employers and employees: Learners should have opportunities to learn from employers about work.
- Experiences of workplaces: Learners gain first-hand experience in different work environments.
- Encounters with further and higher education: All learners should understand about other educational opportunities.
- Personal guidance: Each learner should get opportunities of careers guidance from a career’s advisor.
For further detailed information, please read Achievement Trainings, Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) policy
The Matrix Standard
What is the Matrix Standard?
The Matrix Standard is a nationally recognised framework used to assess an organisation’s competency in the field of Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG). Matrix accreditation is a recognition of an organisation’s high standards of IAG delivery, particularly in the areas of careers and education. This seal of approval allows IAG providers to demonstrate their knowledge and passion and resonates perfectly with ATLs mission of Actively Transforming Lives.
Any organisation which manages, administers and delivers an IAG service to support individuals in their career, learning, work or life goals has the chance to achieve matrix accreditation. Independent external assessors review the process, delivery and development of an organisation’s advice and guidance provision, with an emphasis on interviewing real service users for their genuine opinions about the service they have received.
ATL are very proud to have held full matrix accreditation continuously since 2013, working year-on-year to review our advice and guidance services against a structured framework that ensures our quality support enables learners to make informed decisions about their future careers.
