Careers support and guidance
Empowering your career and progression choices
The world and the job market are changing rapidly. Preparing you for the challenges and opportunities you’ll meet when you leave us is a vital aspect of your education.
At Totton College, we’re dedicated to equipping you with the tools and insights you need to prepare for your career journey. Nacro is Matrix Award-accredited for outstanding Information, Advice, and Guidance (IAG) services.
For tracking the progress of students with their careers journey, we use Compass, a careers benchmarking tool. We also look at our achievement and progression data alongside the use of Xello and Skills Builder.
Diverse pathways
From Traineeships and Apprenticeships to T-Levels, Supported Internships, and Higher Education, we can help you explore a wide range of progression options. To find out more about qualifications, visit the Ofqual website.
Here’s how we support you through our Careers Education Programme:
Tailored career guidance:
With our qualified careers advisor by your side, gain insights into your future and establish a focused learning or employment pathway tailored to your goals.
Digital resources:
With our careers software, you can explore career advice and opportunities both on campus and from home.
Career fairs and virtual events:
Connect with opportunities through our events.
Guest speakers and external agencies:
Learn from industry experts.
Preparation for work:
Engage in work experience and sessions to prepare you for the job market.
Practical work experience:
Our curriculum integrates real-world work experiences, giving you the opportunity to apply the knowledge you’re gaining through study in meaningful ways. Through work experience you’ll make connections that will be useful in your future career, and gain vital employability skills you can talk about in interviews and on your CV.
Dedicated progression coaching:
Every week you’ll meet with your Progress Coach to discuss your aspirations and learning journey. This enables you to be well-informed about the possibilities ahead and stay on track with your plan to get there.
Enhance your digital profile:
A robust online professional profile and CV really helps you stand out in the job market. We’ll help you prepare top-quality documents and present yourself professionally online. We have created a guide for you on how to craft a standout CV and provide tips on how to feel more confident in your interview. Read our CV guide here or alternatively, download our CV template to set yourself up for success.
Engage with potential employers:
Connect with employers, understand what they’re looking for, and get advice about how to apply effectively at our regular events.
Considering university? We’re here for you
After completing your course, you may decide to continue your education at university. Here’s how we can support you:
UCAS application support:
Get support to navigate the UCAS application process. We offer guidance to complete your personal statement and assist with references.
University exploration:
It’s essential to find the right fit. We can advise (and encourage!) you to attend university open days and events, gather insights and make decisions that align with your aspirations.
Next steps in your career path
Embarking on your career journey is an exciting chapter, and at Totton College, we’re dedicated to ensuring you’re well-prepared and confident to take on the challenges ahead.
An outline of our careers programme can be found here.
Careers and progression information for parents and guardians
Responsibility and independence are vital characteristics for success in your child’s education and future career. Working in partnership with parents, the Careers Programme guides and supports students in an enthusiastic and professional relationship throughout their time at Totton College.
Parents and carers are actively encouraged to get involved as their children decide about their future. There are opportunities for parents to speak with advisers and progress coaches during the academic year. If you would like to contact us, then please e-mail info@totton.ac.uk
As a parent, how can you help your child with their career journey?
- Talk about careers regularly at home. Talk about the different jobs you’ve had, how you decided on your current career path, and what you have learned from your experiences. Use the Talking Futures website to get some ideas and explore resources.
- Share your CV and help your child create theirs. Going through the process of setting out their skills, experiences and qualifications on paper can help students understand their current development and where they need to focus to plug any gaps.
- Run through typical interview questions and talk about your own interview experiences – both good and bad! Learning how to present themselves professionally and keeping a cool head in an interview situation is a valuable skill that will benefit your child for the rest of their lives.
- Attend events such as our annual Careers Fair and Apprenticeship Fair. Here you’ll get the opportunity to speak in person with employers and further education institutions. Try to take a backseat at the events and let your child ask questions directly. This will build their confidence in talking to employers.
- Attend college, apprenticeship and university Open Days to explore what different establishments have to offer. Prospectuses are useful but there’s nothing quite like walking around a campus to really get the feel of a place.
- Get involved! If you work for an employer who would be willing to support our careers education by presenting at an assembly, attending a fair as an exhibitor, or being a practice interviewer, we would love to hear from you.
If you have any comments or suggestions about our careers programme, please contact us. We’re always looking to improve our careers education provision, and all feedback is welcome.
The next review of the Careers guidance procedures is due September 2024.
