Head of Department: Mrs Fidelma Gethin
Staff members: Mrs Barbara Anne Dempster, Mrs Aine Gosling, Mr Kevin Blaney
Careers Education is a continuous process and an important element of the College curriculum. Through the Careers Education, Information and Guidance Department, students work on self-assessment programmes which look at their ability, personality, interests and opportunities. This then allows pupils to make informed GCSE choices in Year 10 and to make the transition from leaving school to full-time employment or further education.
Students are provided with relevant information on jobs, training schemes and further education.
The Head of Careers is assisted by three other members of staff with the support of two Careers Advisers from the Northern Ireland Careers Service. A full range of careers literature is available for consultation together with a computer system with Careers software.
KEY STAGE 3
Years 8-10
Personal Career Planning Process is the heart of this programme. Pupils evaluate themselves through self assessment exercises and by the end of the process should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Students participate in the Young Enterprise programmes including Your School, Your Business, Enterprise Masterclass and Project business. A decision-making module is covered in Year 10 prior to subject choices. Opportunities exist for individual guidance at the Parents’ Consultation evenings and the Year 10 Options Day.
KEY STAGE 4
Year 11
Action Planning Process - students build on the process of Personal Career Planning which commenced in Year 8. Students are given the opportunity to research potential career and job interests and relevant qualifications. Students commence preparation for Work Experience and participate in the Young Enterprise Personal Economics programme. A number of students are involved in the KEY programme.
Year 12
Participation in Work Experience Scheme and debrief: completion of Health and Safety Course.
Northern Ireland Careers Service ‘Get Connected’ programme is completed by all Year 12 and as a consequence students have individual interviews with a Careers Adviser.
Advice on Post-16 choices and opportunities are given through presentations and consultation with a Careers Adviser. The opportunity is given for pupils to complete CVs and Application forms.
Presentations are given by outside agencies, eg. Cragrats, a performance based session about making options Post-16; Learn to Earn, a Young Enterprise seminar aimed at developing awareness about future work opportunities and budgeting for success.
POST 16
In Years 13 and 14 opportunities are given for students to consider future options and build upon skills and knowledge gained in Years 11 and 12.
Year 13
The Personal Career Planning process is revisited for Post 18 choices and students begin to consider further where their strengths and weaknesses lie.
Consultation with careers Adviser is available.
Independent research is carried out by students.
All students participate in the college Work Experience Scheme.
All students have the opportunity to participate in the Certificate of Personal Effectiveness, a level 3 qualification to complement academic study and worth 70 UCAS points.
Year 14
Students are supported through the process of applying to UCAS and other Post-18 options.
Students attend Open days at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Queen's University Belfast, Queen's University Nursing College and St Mary’s Teacher Training College.
Students are prepared for the transition from Year 14 to employment or further education with skills in CV and Application processes and Mock Interview opportunities