Our careers team offers a client-centred, confidential, impartial and accessible service, delivered by professionally qualified staff. We serve learners of all ages and meet the needs of our learners. Located in the Learner Hub, the careers team can be contacted by emailing: careers@eastleigh.ac.uk
Learners will have a range of careers and employability opportunities throughout the year delivered through one-to-one guidance, group sessions, drop-in sessions and progression events.
Our Careers Advisers are qualified to Level 6+ and are members of the Careers Development Institute (CDI). They are impartial and maintain professionalism by working towards the CDI code of ethics: Click here to view
The Gatsby benchmarks are at the heart of the Government’s Careers Strategy, published in 2017, and form the framework for Best Practice and good embedded careers guidance. They support the College in raising young people’s aspiration and promoting access to career pathways for all students. By embedding the Benchmarks throughout our Study programmes, young people will be better equipped, more motivated and informed to make good choices and enjoy greater success, Eastleigh College is committed to meeting the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks which are:
- A Stable Careers Programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal Guidance
Policy
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Programme
To be added
As well as personal guidance and advice, you may find these sites useful to help you make those vital decisions about your next steps or longer-term futures. Find out about different job roles and salary information, as well as information about the local labour market.
Careers Education Information, Advice & Guidance (CEIAG)
All current learners have access to qualified and impartial Careers Advisers, who can support with your career planning whilst you are at college.
Careers learning and employability is embedded throughout the curriculum and many opportunities for such learning and support will be through class & tutorial work. Additional activities will be made available through extra-curricular events such as Careers Fairs and trips to UCAS fairs.
Meet the Careers Team
Trudy McKenzie – Careers & UCAS Advisor
As well as offering impartial Careers Advice, Trudy leads on the Careers provision throughout the college, ensuring that learners get a great experience of careers and employability throughout their time at college. Trudy is qualified to Level 7 and is a member and registered professional of the Careers Development Institute (CDI). Trudy has also recently achieved the Level 6 Certificate in Careers Leadership, awarded through the CDI.
Trudy has been the Careers Adviser at Eastleigh College since 2014 and was awarded the Hampshire Education Futures Award in 2020, for her dedication and service to impacting young people’s future progression. Trudy also acts as the administrator for UCAS applications, providing support to those learners who choose to progress to Higher Education.
Claire Johnson – Careers Adviser
Claire has joined us on a temporary basis as a fully qualified Careers Adviser. Qualified to Level 7, Claire is available to offer 1:1 guidance and support to learners to help them make choices for their future. Claire is also registered member of the CDI (Careers Development Institute).
Fiona Thomson – SUN Progression Mentor (Southern Universities Network)
Fiona joined us in September to work with learners through the SUN/Uni Connect Project. Fiona works with learners to support them through their studies and helps them to engage in activities to promote further learning and progression to level 4 study and beyond. More information on this project available here: https://www.sunoutreach.org/schools/eastleigh-college/
Further Support through National Careers Service & other partner agencies
We work with a number of agencies who also come into college to work with some of our learners and provide Careers Advice and Guidance. All are suitably qualified to Level 6 and offer impartial information, advice and guidance:
National Careers Service: Luke, Sarah and Gillian work closely with our Careers Team and are the link advisers available for our Adult Learners. They offer a range of services including 1:1 support and workshops, available both through the college and in the wider community.
Hampshire Futures: Candice and Sarah support our Learners under the SUN programme, both on a 1:1 and group basis.
Education Development Trust: Support us at our busiest times to support those learners coming to the end of their studies and help them make informed choices for their futures and next steps.
Our careers team and request for further support from our partners can be contacted here: Careers@eastleigh.ac.uk
General Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG)
In addition to the Careers Team, IAG may also be given by others:
The college has a dedicated team of staff who offer a range of support prior to, during and after your time at college.
Our Learner Recruitment Executives will offer IAG to those who are looking at joining us and want to learn more about the courses and apprenticeships we have on offer: beready@eastleigh.ac.uk
All tutors are industry trained and will work with learners to help them progress in their studies and into potential careers.
The Work Experience Team are on hand to support learners with getting prepared for work placements and ensure that learners get the most of their industry placements workexperience@eastleigh.ac.uk
The Progression Mentors are on hand to support those learners who feel they may be struggling whilst they are on study programme and will be supported to try and achieve and complete.
These cross-college teams are Matrix accredited which ensure the advice you receive will be impartial and covers the full range of options to meet your needs. https://matrixstandard.com/
The Southern Universities Network (SUN) is a collaborative partnership comprising HE providers in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. The SUN provides outreach activities for schools and colleges as part of Uni-Connect – an Office for Students (OfS) funded project.
Uni Connect programme was launched in 2020 and works with schools and colleges with learners who live in areas of England where they are less likely to progress to higher education.
We have a dedicated SUN Progression Mentor at the College who will work with these learners to provide a range of activities to support and encourage their progression choices.
Resources for students - https://www.sunoutreach.org/students/resources/
Recourses for parents - https://www.sunoutreach.org/parents/resources/
The careers team can help you make informed decisions about your future and next steps.
Higher Education
The Careers Team will support those learners who choose to progress onto HE. Working in partnership with our local universities we can support learners with the UCAS process, writing personal statements, information on student finance, and more.
Apprenticeships
As an apprentice, you are employed by a company whilst studying for a formal qualification – usually at a college or with a training provider. The qualification will be delivered either through day release or block release. With the support of local providers, the college can support learners with searching and applying for apprenticeship opportunities.
Eastleigh College Apprenticeship vacancies
Information for parents/carers
Jobs/Employability
Learners will be supported throughout their time with us, to get work ready and develop vital employability skills. Learners are encouraged to engage in part time jobs, volunteering and work experience opportunities alongside their studies to boost their confidence, skills and future employability.
We have excellent employer links and all learners will have the opportunity to network with a range of local employers through both their course and during wider events at the college, such as career fairs.
We can help you with building a CV and how to present yourself to future employers, both at initial contact and through to interview stage.
Towards the end of the academic year, many employers choose to advertise their vacancies with us, to share with our learners. Link to such vacancies can be found here (available to current learners only): (link)
All learners on full time programmes will undertake work experience. Most programmes of study include industry placements which fully complement their programme by offering up to 315 hours (one or two days per week) in a role linked to their work interest. Such long-term placements are sourced with local employers across a range of sectors. We have a dedicated team to support learners with accomplishing their work placement requirements: workexperience@eastleigh.ac.uk
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to enhance your employability skills, gain valuable experience and contribute to your community. We can help you source opportunities should this be something you are interested in.
We recognise that parents and carers play an influential role in supporting their child to make important decisions about their education and future career. Parents/carers are welcome to contact the careers service and attend meetings if this is appropriate careers@eastleigh.ac.uk
We enjoy a fantastic relationship with local and national employers who support us with a range of activities including work placement, guest speakers, work visits, career fairs, mock interviews and other career/employability-related activities. We pride ourselves in developing our learners to be work ready on leaving their programme of study with us, and with your help can continue to offer a range of activities to help get our learners work-ready.
If you are interested in supporting our learners in any capacity, please contact us at careers@eastleigh.ac.uk
We have a huge range of courses to suit a variety of interests and levels. Many of our level 3 courses are the equivalent of A Levels and can be used to progress onto University study, should learners wish. Otherwise, our courses are designed to give you the best skills and opportunities to become ready for the world of work and get your career started.
Thinking of joining us? Keep an eye out on our website for latest news and follow us on social media.
Get a real flavour of our courses by attending one of our open events here
General advice on courses can be gained from the Learning Executives Team: 02380 911000 beready@eastleigh.ac.uk
Speak to your School’s Careers Adviser for support in making decisions after year 11. They will be happy to talk to you about your options.
If you are an adult thinking about returning to learning, the National Careers Service are available to help you with your career planning. You can chat with them on the telephone or arrange to meet them locally. More information here: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/