The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES)[1] gives the simplest and most accessible definition of employability in terms of skills: ‘the skills almost everyone needs to do almost any job’. This is a great definition as far as it goes, although employability is not just about skills, it’s also about capabilities or competencies: aptitude, attitude and behaviour.

Please see below a list of fantastic organizations that will help equip you for your future working lives.

How can you develop employability?

• NEW CAREERS VIDEO ABOUT CAREER OPTIONS: SUPPORTED INTERNSHIPS, APPRENTICESHIPS, COLLEGE

Click here to watch the video!! Miss Lucas and Miss Tripp helped with the script, the production and the editing of the video! Enjoy! =)

• National Apprenticeship week 2020-2021: 8-14th February

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2021 is “Build the Future” as the government is encouraging everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and employers to build a workforce with future ready skills.

Click here for more information

And watch this video created by Tina Mahon, ASK Adviser. Tina created this introduction to apprenticeships for Courtyard students. 

• WhiteHat/Multiverse Free webinar: Multiverse x Digital Catapult: How to Get into Tech (for Non-Techies!)

An exciting opportunity to find out about kick-starting your career in tech, without a degree!

Click here to book your free place

• Ambitious about Autism: Paid work experience opportunities with Civil Service

An exciting three-week work experience opportunity in the Civil Service is being offered to young people with autism, aged between 18 and 25 who have achieved a minimum of 2 GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and maths at Grade A*-C (or 4-9) or above.

For more information, please click here

If you are interested and you meet the requirements, please let Miss Vidal know so that she can help you with the application process.

• Interesting articles

The future of work 2020-2030: Where are the job opportunities for young people?
Our in-depth analysis uses the latest research and data to explore how the job market will change over the next decade - and the implications of this for you.

10 in-demand career paths you could choose
We look at 10 jobs expected to grow in demand over the next decade. From the familiar - maths teacher, registered nurse - to the new - green building designer, bioinformatician - read this guide to help you stay ahead of the curve. 

• London South Bank University workshops 

London South Bank University are delivering open HE information workshops that your students can book themselves onto. Each session last about 45 minutes and will be delivered by a mix of University staff and Students.

Please let Miss Vidal or your keyworker know if you are planning to attend any of these virtual sessions, especially if they take place during school hours. 

Click here for more information and to register

• Are you interested in learning about gene inheritance?

SPLIT YOUR GENES ONLINE WORKSHOP

If you're a student taking part in this workshop, you will hear from pathologists and from people living with sickle cell disorder and will also be offered some optional hands-on activities to try. Students who complete all of the quizzes before 15 July 2020 will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Amazon Voucher.

The workshop has been put together in collaboration with haematologists, chemical pathologists and representatives from the Sickle Cell Society.

• Would you like to become an Electrician or a plumbing/ heating engineer?

Explore JTL Apprenticeships

JTL offers a range of apprenticeship programmes for anyone interested in a career as a key worker in the building services engineering sector. JTL apprenticeships offer you the chance to learn a trade and earn a wage at the same time. There's lots of demand for new talent with huge potential to progress up the career ladder.

• Top tips for transition to colleges

Please check out the video that Gina and Tom, SCOPE Careers advisors have creeated!

• Have you ever thought about going to university?

London South Bank University has created three short series of webinars from the 14th to the 16th July. They have been deigned to assist Sixth formers who are thinking about joining university. Each webinar runs for about 40 minutes from 1pm each day. These webinars are free to attend.

Webinars:

· Tuesday 14th July at 1pm - Why go to university? Talk with LSBU Alumni

· Wednesday 15th July at 1pm - Degree Apprenticeships - Talk with an Apprentice

· Thursday 16th July at 1pm - Introduction to UCAS and Personal Statements

•  Would you like to boost self-reflection and forward thinking? Would you like to learn how to make good decisions about your future?

Join AccessHE!

Responding to school closures in the wake of Covid-19, AccessHE has launched an exciting new course - Choose Your Own Adventure - as part of its AccessHE Futures programme which aims to raise the awareness of higher education (HE) level study.

• New career resources to introduce young people to careers in screen with ScreenSkills

           Do you want to know more about careers in the film industry? Click here!

           Check out the resources and activities ScreenSkills has created!

• Prepare yourself for an interview with Francesca Uhegbu, STEM Ambassador.

Francesca was invited by Islington Council “100 Hours World of Work” to support on the interview skills presentation.

Francesca's career journey

I achieved ten GCSE 's including Maths, Science and English Literature. I then decided to do A levels in Chemistry, Biology, Physics and English Literature. I failed Chemistry and Physics. So saw an opportunity to do an Advanced Vocational Certificate in Science, which I passed, and also included the A level English Literature. Together I had three A Levels equivalent.
I then embarked to do a degree in Nutrition at Liverpool John Moore's University. I got a Bsc in Nutrition. Following that I worked in the NHS and the Council doing various nutrition related work. Also I registered and became a member of the Association For Nutrition, which is a regulatory body and ensure that Nutritionists are compliant and constantly updating their knowledge and delivery to clients.
Currently I deliver nutrition sessions online to groups, but also on a one to one basis

           What should you do before the interview?

           How can you make a great impression? 

           Watch her presentation and let us know what your thoughts are!

• Get inspired!!!
  Professionals with Autism talking about their career journey and giving advice!

Jonathan Andrews

What does Jonathan do?

Jonathan's career journey and advice

Jonathan was honoured to be Highly Commended for 'Achiever of the Year' in the Celebrating Neurodiversity Awards 2020!

Three months ago Jonathan represented the Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN) at a reception at Marlborough House to mark Commonwealth Day, following the Commonwealth Service.

Jonathan had the opportunity to speak to guests, including HRH The Prince of Wales, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, Alexandra Burke, Floella Benjamin and Joan Armatrading about the network's achievements, and his work to increase disability employment more widely.

• Work it

  Meet Alexandra. She has a love of travel, languages and food culture - which led her to her career in the graduate scheme at Tesco. Here she provides insight into the world of work, and key skills she learnt along the way.

•  Get inspired!!!

Professionals with Autism talking about their career journey and giving advice!

Andy Clayton

What does Andy do?

Andy's career journey

Andy has taken part in some research that the University of Ghent has recently completed on the effects of lockdown on people with autism

Click on the link below to read his article: LOCKDOWN AS AN AUTISTIC ENTREPRENEUR

Andy is based in Oxford, UK, and leads Petra Coach’s European Operations.

Andy loves to keep things to plan – ‘Focus’ is his watch-word, both for developing a strategy, and sticking to it himself as well as keeping others in the same discipline. The teams he works with rate him high for his honest feedback, and ability to help them see the forest and not just the trees.

Andy used the Rockefeller Habits to successfully grow and develop his agency business in China past the $10M mark, and then sell it to his largest competitor. His favorite thing now is helping other entrepreneurial businesses master these same methodologies to improve their lives and businesses, in that order.

Andy is one of the most senior trainers within the Entrepreneurs Organization, leading new content development in most major programs globally. He has served on the Boards of both the Beijing and London chapters. Andy is an endurance athlete, ‘enjoying’ ultra-marathons, and a keen volunteer for autistic causes – in his spare time.

• U-Start Careers

Start is a free, online careers platform, designed to connect 11-18 year olds with their future career potential.

Login or regiser here

• Skills to Succeed Academy

The Skills to Succeed Academy is an innovative online employability learning solution, created specifically to meet the needs of jobseekers. It has a design appealing to 15-24 year olds but the content is relevant to all ages. It offers 42 hours of highly interactive online training and support materials.

If you don't have an account yet, the access code is: ACCESS

Click here to login or register

• 1:1 career advice sessions with SCOPE

Career pathways- Gina and Tom (please see picture below), SCOPE Career advisers, will work with you to set you on the path to suceed. Thy can help you work out what you might like to do in your future career and what actions you can take to achieve your goals. The sessions can take place via Zoom, Phone, Skype, etc.

Please click on the link to find more information and register your interest

Career-Pathways-info-sheet-April-2023.pdf

Video- careers advice digital

• Virtual skills festival with Career Ready

Career Ready Skills Festival (27 April - 19 June) will connect you with leading employers, helping you to develop crucial workplace skills and knowledge. They have a range of activities, led by volunteers from the world of work, for you to take part in via videoconferencing.

About the festival

There's a range of exciting event activities you can take part in. Discover available dates and book your place (free) on their  Eventbrite page.

Once you have signed up you will receive a confirmation email containing instructions and a link on how to attend. Sessions will appear throughout the festival so please do check back every week.

Skills workshop: Develop the skills and knowledge needed for a professional environment. Sessions last 30-60.
Industry insights:Learn about different job sectors and roles. Sessions last 60 minutes.
Career Ready masterclasses: Boost your skills for career success. Sessions last 60 minutes.
Mental wellbeing: Get advice and support on mental health and wellbeing.
CV & application workshop: Boost your CV and job application knowledge.Sessions last 30-60 minutes.
CV clinic: Receive 121 feedback on your CV. Sessions last 30 minutes.
Mock interviews: Learn how to prepare for job interviews. Sessions last 30 minutes ​.​

• Apprenticeship videos with DoE

The Department of Education has created a new YouTube Channel where you can watch apprentices talking about their education and career pathway and their apprenticeship role.

DoE- Apprenticeship videos

Apprentice Q&A's

• My personal Skills programme: Free online financial education sessions

The My Personal Finance Skills programme delivers free financial education workshops to schools across the country to help students understand more about money and leave school ‘life-ready’.

Themes cover areas such as: staying safe from scams, the first payslip, making decisions and risk, future finances and much more.

Click on the link if you are interested.

• WeAreVirtual with WeAreTheCity

Over the next three months, they will be running FREE skills webinars every week.

This ‘pay it forward’ initiative has been kindly supported and shaped by over 45 amazing speakers and companies, who have all pledged to share their expertise. Their plan is to host up to three webinars per week via Zoom, free of charge for anyone, anywhere in the world to join. These webinars will be 45 mins duration with Q&A. Thanks to our speakers, we will cover a myriad of topics relating to both work and life. You can expect everything from managing your mental health to making an impact virtually. You can find out more about the webinar series and book on to sessions here.

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[1] http://lisaza007.blogspot.com/2018/09/introduction-of-eight-employability.html

[2] UKCES: www.ukces.org.uk)