What young people can expect
All young people in Thurrock are offered support to help make career choices.
Careers, employability and enterprise education
Careers education helps you to understand yourself and develop the skills to make decisions, find opportunities and make successful applications. It also helps you to learn about the world of work and develop the skills and qualities needed to succeed in work.
Information about study options
You can choose subjects, courses and qualifications at several points during your education:
- at age 13 or 14, the end of key stage 3
- at age 16, the end of key stage 4
- at age 17, for students on one-year courses or programmes in the sixth form or college
- at age 18, the end of compulsory learning
In most cases, options are available in your current place of learning, particularly early on, but as you get older the choices often also involve a change of institution. You need to have easy access to information on the full range of options in education and training available at each stage, and on the opportunities that follow from each option, so that you can make the best choices for you.
Information about the job market
Access to information about jobs and employment opportunities can help you move into work.
Contact with employers and employees
Direct contact with employers and people in work will help you become ready for work yourself. Contact may be organised in school or college, or on employers’ premises.
Talks from, and visits to, apprenticeship and other providers, colleges and universities
Opportunities to hear direct from staff, students and trainees from apprenticeships, training providers, colleges and universities, will help you make the right choices. Talks are organised in your school or college, with visits to the different providers.
Experience of the workplace
Careers education should include the chance to get first-hand experience of a workplace, to help develop your knowledge and understanding of the world of work and of the skills and qualities you need for success.
Progress reviews
Alongside a programme of opportunities, you should have access to individual advice and guidance to help you make the right choices for you.
Advice and guidance starts in school or college, with reviews of your achievements, progress and plans. School or college staff will be able to offer initial information and advice, and then refer you to careers advisers when needed.
Individual and impartial careers guidance
By law, schools and colleges must provide access to independent careers guidance for all pupils and students from Year 8 to age 18. Guidance should cover all options available and be impartial, which means working in your best interests and not showing any bias or favouritism towards a particular option.
You should be able to make an appointment to see a careers adviser whenever you feel you need help and guidance. Young people with Education, Health and Care Plans are entitled to receive guidance up to age 25.
Feedback
It is important that the careers support provided meets your needs. You should have opportunities to give feedback and make suggestions for improvements.