Information for Students

Your careers education will be delivered throughout all subjects during your time at LHS. Dedicated lesson time will be provided through your PSHE lessons, but you will also gain valuable careers related experiences through a range of other events. Our Careers pages also signpost you to on-line information advice and guidance.   

Why our Careers Programme is important for all students

  • You will have the opportunities to learn about the world of work, employability skills and the personal qualities that are valued in the workplace

  • Our careers programme will increase your self-confidence and raise your aspirations

  • It will help you make the right decisions at age 14 and age 16

  • You will be able to make informed choices about further education and training, apprenticeships and future careers

Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance

To develop students’ knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to life in a rapidly changing world

High Quality Provision

Longdendale High School are working towards full implementation of the Gatsby Benchmarks to ensure that careers provision is of the highest quality for students.

The Gatsby Benchmarks are:

  1. A stable careers programme

  2. Learning from career and labour market information

  3. Addressing the needs of each pupil

  4. Linking curriculum learning to careers

  5. Encounters with employers and employees

  6. Experiences of workplaces

  7. Encounters with further and higher education

  8. Personal guidance

Overview of the Careers Programme:

As part of our Careers programme, you will:

  • gain a better understanding of yourself, your personal qualities, interests, potential, weaknesses, limitations and areas for development

  • complete modules of work relating to careers in PSHE lessons

  • make choices about post-14 courses and learning programmes

  • use Xello and careers materials to research information on possible future careers

  • get independent careers advice and guidance from outside speakers who come into school

  • develop knowledge of the workplace

  • develop employability skills

  • look at range of information about employment and education options

  • find out about jobs in the local area [labour market information]

  • find out about entry requirements and progression routes to further and higher education

  • have a one to one Careers interview in Year 11 and a personalised action plan for post 16 options

  • Get information on apprenticeships

  • Meet a range of providers on Raising Aspirations Days re: further education, training, university, work, finance

One to One Careers Interviews

  • Our Careers Officer is Caroline Higgins, a qualified independent Careers Adviser from Positive Steps

  • Caroline is in school every Tuesday and Wednesday and can be found in the Careers office in the Common Area

  • You can refer yourself for a careers interview at any point via your Form Tutor, Head of Year, SLT. An appointment with the careers adviser will then be arranged.

  • A careers interview gives you the chance to think and talk about your future plans and the sort of career you would like, the opportunity to find out more about apprenticeships, colleges, sixth form courses and work-based learning as well as university

  • During a careers interview you will be asked about your targets and your current progress, your interests in and out of schools, your skills. If you have a career in mind, you will be able to discuss your plans. If you do not know what you want to do, you will be able to look at some possibilities. You will be given useful websites and information so that you can do further research. You do not need to make any decisions at the interview. You can ask lots of questions

Careers Information

  • Careers information is available through relevant displays, information sent to form tutors, Twitter / Facebook and the school web-site

  • Careers Information can also be found in the library and in the careers office

Applying to College or Sixth Form

Please find below links to our local colleges. Please use these links to research course information, find out the entry requirements and explore the college facilities on offer:

WHY THINK ABOUT APPRENTICESHIPS?

Apprenticeships offer the chance to:

  • learn job-relevant skills

  • build valuable experience

  • gain real qualifications that will positively start their career journey

  • earn a real salary

  • enjoy the benefits of being a full-time employee

Becoming an apprentice is an exciting opportunity to earn money and progress quickly in a career.

What is involved in an apprenticeship?

There are three main elements involved in an Apprenticeship

  • including English and Maths

  • work preparation skills / college course

  • a practical work placement with a local employer.

Apprenticeships are designed to enable an individual to progress within a business over a longer period of time whilst gaining nationally recognised qualifications.

Who are they for?

An Apprenticeship is a career, not just a job. Apprenticeships are for those aged 16 or over who are not in full time education and can last anywhere between one and five years.

Apprenticeships are designed to enable an individual to progress within a business over a longer period of time whilst gaining nationally recognised qualifications. 

How much do you get paid?

The minimum wage for an apprentice is £3.70 per hour, but many employers pay more than this. In fact, some higher Apprenticeships can pay as much as £500 per week. More than just earning a salary, apprentices receive training and qualifications in the skills employers really want, increasing their future earning potential. Apprentices receive marked salary increases on completion of their training and the roles often offer great opportunities for career progression.

WHAT IS LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION?

Labour Market Information focuses on giving you information about the local area you live in:

  • Wage rates

  • Job availability

  • Skills gaps

  • Unemployment rates

  • Reports from professional bodies

  • Economic summaries from the local area

Labour Market Information ensures that young people are equipped with the information needed to make well informed realistic decisions.

The Bridge GM website tells you about the availability of jobs in Greater Manchester & Tameside. Information has also been provided by New Economy, Greater Manchester's Policy and Research Team.

USEFUL LINKS:

Useful Websites for Careers

 

 

This is the web-based service provided by the UK government. It provides a great deal of information on job and apprenticeship finding, along with high quality tools, such as a CV builder.

The National Apprenticeship Service is an important source of apprenticeship information and vacancies.

This website is an excellent resource for finding out information on careers across many different sectors. It also contains information on higher education and apprenticeships.

Career advice for schools and students aged 13-19. Search jobs, advice & find out about employers, work experience, courses, career choices, and apprenticeships.

CAREER MAP 

This map-based website provides apprenticeship and education opportunities and vacancies in the local area, as well as blogs centring on specific careers.

Apprenticeships and jobs from some of the biggest recruiters in the country including British Gas, Boots, BT, Garmin, NHS and Starbucks. School leavers can apply directly from the website and their application is delivered immediately to the recruiter by email. Please click here to see our latest jobs and apprenticeships.

This site provides careers advice, choices and ideas. There are excellent videos and a handy career wizard to help provide inspiration.

This is an excellent resource with a particularly good CV building tool.


SPECIFIC CAREER PATHWAYS

STEM Careers - Where Can it take You?

Earth and Environmental Science

  • Aquarist
  • Cartographer  
  • Climate Change Analyst
  • Diver
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Geo-scientist
  • Hydrologist
  • Industrial Health & Safety Engineer
  • Meteorologist
  • Park Ranger
  • Soil and Water Conservationist
  • Soil Scientist
  • Surveyor

Maths & Computer Science

  • Actuary
  • Accounting
  • Banking
  • Computer Hardware Engineer
  • Computer Programmer
  • Computer Software Engineer
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Database Administrator
  • Economist Finance/Financial Analyst
  • Maths Teacher
  • Mathematician
  • Multimedia Artist or Animator
  • Network Systems & Data Communications Analyst
  • Remote Sensing Scientist Quality Assurance Engineer & Tester Software Engineer
  • Statistician

Health

  • Audiologist
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician
  • Certified Diabetes Educator
  • Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetist (CRNA)
  • Chiropractor
  • Cytotechnologist
  • Dental Hygienist
  • Dietitian or Nutritionist
  • Emergency Medical Technicians & Paramedic
  • Endocrinologist
  • Epidemiologist
  • Health Educator
  • Haematologist
  • Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technician
  • Medical Social Worker
  • Neurologist
  • Nuclear Medicine Technologist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Optometrist
  • Paramedic
  • Pathologist
  • Pharmacist
  • Physical Therapist
  • Physician
  • Registered Nurse
  • Respiratory Therapist
  • Science Writer
  • Speech-Language Pathologist

Physical Science

  • Astronomer
  • Aviation Inspector
  • Chemical Technician
  • Chemist
  • Chemistry Teacher
  • Electrician 
  • Film Editor
  • Food Scientist
  • Nuclear Power Operator
  • Occupational Health & Safety Specialist
  • Physicist
  • Physics Teacher
  • Pilot
  • Sound Engineer

Maths & Computer Science

  • Actuary
  • Accounting
  • Banking
  • Computer Hardware Engineer
  • Computer Programmer
  • Computer Software Engineer
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Database Administrator
  • Economist Finance/Financial Analyst
  • Maths Teacher
  • Mathematician
  • Multimedia Artist or Animator
  • Network Systems & Data Communications Analyst
  • Remote Sensing Scientist Quality Assurance Engineer & Tester Software Engineer
  • Statistician

Why get involved in Voluntary Work?

Volunteering can help you;

  • to add employability skills to your CV

  • to get fit

  • to secure you a place on the course of your dreams

  • to build your self-confidence

  • to make new friends.

What can you do?

There are a wide range of volunteering opportunities from administration, charity work, supporting disabled people or families or conservation. Whatever your age, ability, location, interests and how much time you’re able to give, there’s a volunteering opportunity that’s right for you.

How many people get involved?

It is estimated that 25% of the UK adult population volunteer at least once a month. Across Tameside there are an estimated 23,000 people who regularly give their time to help their community.

Volunteering does not have to be regular, some people give time as a one-off and this can be just as valuable.

What can you do in our local area?

Volunteering could mean working in a charity shop, helping out at a fundraising event, clearing litter from a park or helping children learn to read. But one of the great things about volunteering is the sheer range of activities you can sign up for.

Further Information

To get local information about volunteering in Tameside. Use the link below:

https://www.tameside.gov.uk/Countryside/Volunteering-in-your-Community

Careermag: Thinking About Your Next Steps?

Looking for career and qualification advice? Careermag provides a wealth of high-quality career information and qualification guidance for students.

Whether you’re considering your next steps after education, thinking about a career change or are currently on the job hunt, our articles from experts will share insights into the labour market, interview tips, techniques and support for application success. We’ll help you to discover your employability and transferrable skills, while industry leaders break down the diversity of career opportunities and pathways available. 

Careermag for School Leavers: 

Whether you’re thinking about an apprenticeship, A Levels, BTEC, T Levels, work experience or even going straight to work, Careermag for School Leavers provides you with a wide range of opportunities with leading employers and training providers.

Not only will you be presented with opportunities but you can explore a diverse range of articles from experts enabling you to understand what each qualification route can lead to and how you can get into a specific career.

 

Should any student want to sign up for future issues, please use the following link: https://careermap.co.uk/subscribe-to-careermag/

Year 11 Opportunities

Year 11 students can take advantage of opportunities provided by NCS, where young people can grow their strengths and become world-ready and work-ready. Through a range of different experiences — online, in their community, and away from home, young people can build their confidence, resilience, and well being, gather work skills, and become engaged citizens who feel motivated to make a positive difference in society.