“Career Coach supporting
the
Admissions Journey”
Ben Owen
Head of Student Services
Background
‘Pupils need not only access careers guidance
but also the knowledge and skills to use the
information and guidance provided to plan
and manage their career choices and
transitions’
Careers Education in schools. Andrews, D (2011). Highflyers
Publishing: Staffordshire
Background
“What support has the LA provided to schools to assist them in taking on the
new duty for securing access for pupils to independent and impartial careers
guidance?”
Response %
Response Count
84.2%
61.8%
55.9%
28
21
19
Provision of information on work based
learning opportunities
52.9%
18
Provision of labour market information
44.1%
15
Consultancy support
38.2%
26.5%
13
9
Commissioning services on behalf of
schools
20.6%
7
Lists of approved suppliers
17.6%
6
Briefings
Providing a traded service
Provision of
information on training providers and
opportunities
Guidance on commissioning
Source: Langley et al 2014
Local picture - Derbyshire
 In Derbyshire the LA have developed a traded Universal
Career Service
 However, many schools have brought in external provision
as well
 Many schools have reduced the level of Careers Support, in
one example one school reduced Careers Adviser support
from 4 days per week to ½ day per week
 With this local picture post 16 advice and guidance has
greatly diminished, which in turn could have had a
significant impact on recruitment of post 16 students onto
the right course
Student feedback
Student feedback
Student feedback
Concept
 Adding in a Guidance and Assessment stage that all
applicants receive, greatly improving the consistency of the
first experience of college
 This stage will also allow the Guidance Team to work with
applicants on why they are coming into college, using career
research tools and LMI to see where their course choice
leads them
 Initial assessment at this stage will ensure that applicants
will start to look at what their entry level will be, as well as
ensuring all applicants receive this as part of their
admissions journey
Concept
Process
Guidance activity to ensure the student is on the right course
 Fast Tomato or the Skills Health Check (National Careers
Service site)
 Use Career Coach to explore study path to career goal
 Ask set questions from the Interview Record Form
 If a student is still unsure after this they are referred to a
Guidance Officer for a full guidance interview
The personal approach
2014 Admissions survey – feedback (student)
“I was interviewing a young lady who started a L3 Art & Design
course in September 2013, she said her attendance wasn’t too
good and she realised too late that she didn’t like the course
and couldn’t transfer onto another course. She has now
applied for L3 Business here at College as she feels this will help
her achieve her goal of owning her own business.
While in the interview she told me that if her interview had
been this process last year she may have changed her option.”
2014 Admissions – feedback (Curriculum Manager)
12 people were down to attend and 100% attended (although one person was late with a
plausible reason).
There was one applicant who had previously disclosed that she had colour blindness and
it was a good opportunity to chat with her about this and her father wanted to pass on
favourable comments. The applicant has also applied to Aldecar 6th form and he
expressed that our college seemed to be a lot more professional with its interview
system, initial assessment, the mini-public service taster (we did last night prior to the
interview) and interview. At a local Sixth Form interview they attended all they talked
about A-levels and that was it, he pointed out.
Thanks for letting me know about the colour blindness prior to interview. The time in
between the initial interview and our interview last night gave me the opportunity to find
out some info on this that I was able to discuss with the applicant and the amount of
time in between these interviews was just right to cope with a busy CM schedule.
From our area point of view the pre-area interviews allowed the team to discuss each
applicant and highlight any support needs and our mini-taster gave us the opportunity to
observe these and comment in the interview stage.
Curriculum Manager Public Services
2014 Admissions survey – feedback
2014 Admissions survey – feedback
2014 Admissions survey – feedback
2014 Admissions survey – feedback
2014 Admissions – feedback (Ofsted)
During our Ofsted Inspection in October 2013, where the
College received an overall “good” grade, we received some
extremely positive feedback from inspectors, such as;
“particularly good information, advice and guidance
ensures learners are on the appropriate programmes”
“the student services team provides highly effective and
timely support for learners”
“Managers and staff use LMI very well to plan provision
in their areas”
2015 Admissions – development
 HE and 19+ processes will be changed for next year in
line with student and staff feedback
 Next years process will see the removal of the Fast
Tomato/NCS stage and promote more of a guidance
review with Guidance Officers leading on this aspect
of the process
 LU Apprenticeship recruitment processes will be
brought in line with this process as well
Thank you for your time
Are there any questions?