Careers and employability
The jobs market is increasingly competitive, so at NTU, our college courses offer exciting work experience opportunities – making you stand out to future employers or universities.
How we will support you
Whatever course you're studying, you can count on:
- personal CV advice and tutorials
- support with applications and mock interview sessions
- sessions focused on improving your employability
- an employer events programme
- dedicated careers consultants and employability advisers
- innovative online resources, tools and advice
- help with managing your work experience.
Our support will help you stand out to future employers and universities.
Our Employability team
Our Matrix accredited Employability team is here to inspire and enhance your career planning, whichever path you choose. Whether you wish to go on to further study or to look for job opportunities, we can guide you to be a successful candidate.
Visit our employability section for more information.
Useful resources and links
The following links will help you explore and understand the range of career opportunities and pathways available.
Parents/ Carers
University
Career and self-assessment tools
Information about Apprenticeships
Jobs and self-employment
Whatever course you're studying, we'll offer you excellent work experience opportunities, and access to local and national employers.
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Our careers strategy
Careers education, information, advice and guidance has a key role to play in ensuring that all individuals, particularly young people and their influencers, are fully informed of the range of career opportunities and pathways available. This also includes ensuring they are all supported to maximise the options open to them and are encouraged to make career decisions which will lead on to better things, whether that be further study or employment.
In December 2017, the Department for Education (DfE) released the national strategy for careers guidance, "Careers strategy: making the most of everyone’s skills and talents". The objectives of this strategy are to raise the standards of careers education across the UK ensuring that:
- all young people understand the full range of opportunities available to them, to learn from employers about work and the skills that are valued in the workplace and to have first-hand experience of the workplace;
- all young people in secondary school and college receive an excellent programme of advice and guidance, that is delivered by individuals with the relevant skills and experience;
- everyone receives support tailored to their individual circumstance. All adults should be able to access free face-to-face advice, with more bespoke support for those who most need it;
- everyone receives the information they need to understand the job and career opportunities available to them, and how their individual knowledge and skills can help them in considering suitable careers.
The main elements of the strategy include the eight Gatsby Benchmarks which are based on national and international research and help to define the elements of an excellent careers programme.
Benchmark Description 1. A stable careers programme Every school and college should have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by pupils, parents, teachers and employers. 2. Learning from career and labour market information Every pupil, and their parents, should have access to good-quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. They will need the support of an informed adviser to make the best use of available information. 3. Addressing the needs of each pupil Pupils have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each pupil. A school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout. 4. Linking curriculum learning to careers All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers. For example, STEM subject teachers should highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths. 5. Encounters with employers and employees Every pupil should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range of enrichment activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes. 6. Experiences of workplaces Every pupil should have first-hand experiences* of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks. 7. Encounters with further and higher education All pupils should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace. 8. Personal guidance Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a careers adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made. They should be expected for all pupils but should be timed to meet their individual needs. The Deputy Head of Further Education, Martyn East acts as Career Leader with strategic responsibility for the quality and impact of the careers programme. He also chairs the Careers Action Group that was formed to bring academics, leaders and employability together.
A dedicated team of staff who implement and deliver the careers plan across the college, support Martyn.
Careers guidance is embedded into the curriculum of every course and impartial advice and guidance is available from our dedicated Matrix accredited Employability team at Nottingham Trent University.
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Our careers programme
We have an embedded programme of career education and guidance across all levels of courses. Download our latest careers programme.
Careers guidance is important for every student as they progress through their college course. We work collaboratively with the NTU employability team to ensure that each student receives the guidance they need to make informed decisions about their future career.
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Our offer to students
Nottingham Trent University is here to inspire and enhance every stage of your career planning. Whether you are considering further study, employment, or training for your next step, we are here to help.
We will help, support, and guide you so that you can approach your search for a future career with confidence, knowing that you are making the right decision for you.
We will help you to:
Recognise key strengths and focus your career goals
- we offer specialist careers advice related to your course (both individually and in groups)
- you'll have access to a dedicated careers and employability learning room
- we'll give you help with developing personal and professional skills, attributes and behaviours.
Learn about opportunities and how to access them
- we organise a wide range of employer-led events throughout the academic year
- we'll invite you to our careers fair and guest talks with employers who provide guidance and networking for employment opportunities
- we'll offer help with setting up your own business through NTU Student Enterprise
- you'll get the chance to take part in a planned workshop to provide a taste of higher education
- you'll have the opportunity to meet students that progressed to higher education through our college courses.
Improve your employment opportunities
- you'll have access to online resources and useful information through our dedicated careers and employability learning room
- you'll have access to relevant careers events, work experience opportunities, apprenticeships, and jobs
- we'll give you support with sourcing and completing work experience placements related to your course
- you'll have access to the employability team for three years after completing your course
- you'll have the opportunity to take part in the pilot T-level programme, which encompasses an additional industry placement.
Feel confident and promote yourself
- we'll support with the UCAS application process, including personal statements, with other further study or training applications, or the job application process
- we offer CV and cover letter reviews, mock interviews and feedback support.
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Opportunities
Brackenhurst hosts various opportunities throughout the year to meet employers during workshops and guest lectures. Students can get involved in the Careers Fairs where you'll get the chance to talk to lots of different employers and organisations. Further education students receive bespoke talks about higher education and careers in related industries and we encourage students to speak with professionals on an individual basis during these events and workshops.