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Welcome to the Summer Special 2023 edition of the Careers Young WorkPath E-newsletter. The team have been busy continuing to deliver careers guidance interviews to pupils in schools and colleges and supporting NEET (Not in Education, Employment and Training) young people to move into education, employment and training. In addition to this Careers Advisers have been participating in annual and transitional reviews for pupils with EHCPs.
We will be open throughout the summer and we will continue to provide careers interviews face to face, over the phone and by video for NEET young people and school/college leavers. Please encourage young people who are unsure of what they want to do or how to achieve their career aims to have a chat with us. We are happy to help.
Feedback is important for us to understand how we are doing and the impact of our work. Here are some recent quotes:
"The interview went very well. I was given all the information I needed and help to now find myself a job and successfully do my maths and English GCSE." NEET young person.
" The service was useful and very helpful. Helped me decide on different plans of action for the future." Year 11 student.
" Good service, made a positive impact on my decisions. Also liked that it was calm and I was able to express my ideas." Year 10 student.
GCSEs and A-levels results days
Our team of Advisers will be available in schools/colleges on the morning of A level and GCSE results day. Young people can also drop into our Centre on the afternoon of the 17 August and 24 August from 2pm until 4.30pm. Alternatively, we will offer careers interviews over the phone or via video.
You can contact us at youngworkpath@towerhamlets.gov.uk or on 0800 3581 2410 (free phone) or 0207 364 1401. We expect to be very busy, so please do be patient!
We wish all students the best with their results.
Ofqual Student Guide 2023
Ofqual have published a student guide that includes information about getting results, including appeals.
There will also be results day support information on our website Careers Young WorkPath home page soon.
On the 25th of May the Careers and Social Mobility Team hosted the fourth Tower Hamlets Careers Live Events hosted by University of East London. The event was themed 'AI to VR – Exploring the Future' and were joined by 17 businesses and educational providers. The event welcomed over 200 students from nine secondary schools across Tower Hamlets.
The event consisted of an exhibition hall where companies provided advice and guidance on different routes into the industry. Our team were extremely busy providing 1-2-1 live careers advice helping young people to think about their option choices and future careers. There were also two workshops running hosted by The Switch and Exam Solutions. Students also had the opportunity to attend a speaker session hosted by PwC professionals, interns, and graduates.
Here is some feedback:
"All the speakers were very enthusiastic and friendly, so I was always engaged with what they were saying." Student.
"Great variety of speakers, very informative." Careers Lead.
"This event was useful to meet and hear directly from young people. We are able to share information with pupils that previous would not have access to this information i.e. SEND pupils." A business.
A huge thank you to the hosts at University of East London, the extended team and all the business providers. The final Tower Hamlets Careers Live event (this academic year) 'The World Needs Professional Services!' will take place on Thursday 13th July at 20 Water Street, Wood Wharf (Canary Wharf). To book tickets to attend please use the link here.
 Tower Hamlets and Canary Wharf Further Education Trust Fund
Are you a Tower Hamlets resident starting a new education or training course in September and struggling to identify a source of funding to support your studies? The Council might be able to help. See the link for further information and application. Deadline for applications is Friday 28th July 2023.
September Guarantee
Every year, we undertake the huge task of finding out what education or training offers are made to year 11 and 12 pupils for September coming. This is something the Department for Education (DfE) requires us to do. We would be grateful if you could get this information to us by 7th July 2023. Please send data to Cheryl Toms, Team Leader Brokerage and Tracking at cheryl.toms@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Latest apprenticeship starts
The government have released figures for August 2022 to March 2023 (based on data returned by providers in May 2023). Apprenticeship starts were down by 4.1% to 195,600 compared to the same period in the previous year and under 19s accounted for 28.4% of starts. Higher (level 4) apprenticeship starts increased by 7.1% and degree (level 6 and 7) also increased by 11.1%. There have been 3,077,450 apprenticeship starts since May 2015.
Careers Leader training
The Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) are the national body for careers education in England, supporting schools and colleges to deliver modern, 21st century careers education. They have free resources for Careers Leaders, including training to support their role.
Careers Development Institute (CDI) Briefing Paper June 2023: The AI and Chatbot Revolution
Associate Professor Deirdre Hughes, Warwick University was invited by The CDI Ethics and Professional Standards Committee to produce a set of guidelines for careers advisers and CDI members about the use of Artificial Intelligence and chatbots in practice.
Wellbeing support
This can be a difficult time of year for young people but there is a range of support available here.
There are various options that young people could progress onto.
Raising the participation age (RPA)
Raising the participation age means after Year 11 school leavers must continue in education or training until 18, read more here. It does not mean staying in school and young people can choose one of the following options:
• Full-time education, such as sixth form or college.
• Work-based learning, such as an apprenticeship or traineeship/study programme.
• Spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training.
GCSE English and Maths
Whatever option is chosen, if after Year 11 school leavers do not have a grade 4 (formerly C) in maths and/or English, they must keep studying these subjects until they achieve a minimum GCSE grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 2 (this applies until their 18th birthday).
Post-16 providers
There are still some places available at various sixth forms, colleges and other providers, with online and postal applications being accepted. There are also virtual and in-person events, such as open days and tours. For details, check the website or social media accounts of the relevant provider and you can find a list of providers on our webpage. Some enrolment information is now available.
Applications to start in 2024 will be opening soon.
Post-18 UCAS university clearing now open
If pupils do not have a place or have not applied to university for this year, they will need to apply through Clearing, which is open until 17 October. For those living in England there are over 20,000 courses from over 300 providers. Find out further information on the UCAS website.
Free careers resources and support
Here are some organisations that provide information, advice and guidance on a range of careers, options and next steps. There are also short quizzes if young people are not sure what career or next step they are interested in.
If students in school or college need help, please encourage them to talk to their Careers Co-ordinator. If they are not in education, employment and/or training, do encourage young people to contact us directly.
Young people can also continue to engage in a range of careers, personal development and fun opportunities. See below for some ideas but do check for any criteria.
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Tower Hamlets Summer of Fun 2023 the Council's various free summer activities.
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Summer of Wellbeing Festivals eight festivals happening throughout the borough this summer.
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Young V&A’s (formally V&A Museum of Childhood) Opening Festival 8 and 9 July bringing together local artists, designers and performers for a weekend of family-friendly creative activity.
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The World Needs Professional Services! 13 July Tower Hamlets Careers Live Event in Canary Wharf for young people aged 13+ in Tower Hamlets and local boroughs. Parents/carers are also welcome.
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The Maker Challenge a programme during July/August by Imperial College London for young people aged 14 - 18 years old the opportunity to develop an idea and see it through to creation. Deadline to apply is 16 July.
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National Citizens Service Trust (NCS) various summer programmes to help young people grow their strengths: away from home, local community, and online. Designed for 16 and 17 years old but also 15 year olds, if they turn 16 on or by 31 August 2023. Bursaries available.
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East Summer School 24 July to 4 August industry workshops for young people aged 12 – 17 years old who are living or going to school in Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, or Waltham Forest. Deadline to apply is 14 July.
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Stepney City Farm Summer School farm sessions an exciting and interactive experience where young people aged 13-16 years old can learn about farming, nature, and animals. The sessions are weekly, signing up for 31 July is an agreement to attend all 5 sessions which will take place on Monday 7, 14, 21 August & Tuesday 29 August.
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Construkt 7 -18 August a programme to give young people in years 12 & 13 and unemployed 18 - 25 year olds exposure to the range of opportunities in engineering and construction. Register now to attend.
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Step In, Step Up Finance 29 August to 1 September a programme for year 13s by Morgan Stanley, which students will gain insights into a number of different areas, including Technology, Investment Banking, Global Capital, Markets and Sales and Trading & Research. Deadline to apply is 9 July.
These have opportunities throughout the year:
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Tower Hamlets Young People's Service (formally the Youth Service) provides a range of fun and personal development activities for young people who live, work or study in the borough.
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Tower Hamlets Local Offer find out what is available for all families, children and young people up to 25 years old.
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Tower Hamlets Arts The arts section of the Council website is put together by the arts and events team for young people to get the best out of the borough in the way of arts and culture.
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Our Time is an all-ability youth forum run for and by young people between the ages of 14-25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), although young people of all abilities are also welcome. Our Time regularly shares our views at the strategic level about employment opportunities for young people and support available. Members usually meet around four times a month and regularly attend employment and careers events together, support and encourage each other to achieve their goals.
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Circle Collective is a charity and social enterprise that supports unemployed young people aged 16-24 into life-changing work, education or training. They provide work experience in their unique streetwear store in Canary Wharf, as well as employability support and wellbeing sessions to help young people find their next job.
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Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park have a range of opportunities and events. East Bank is a hub for creativity, learning and innovation on the park.
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Uptree Springpod Student Ladder and Young Professionals connect young people and employers with experiences of the workplace, events and employment opportunities, including apprenticeships.
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Success at School have a range of careers webinars with top companies about their opportunities, including apprenticeships.
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Microsoft ongoing in person workshops or training.
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UniTasterDays various university events for students, parents/carers and school staff.
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Future Learn EdX Open Learn UpTree and Coursera various online courses with universities and industry experts worldwide.
Volunteering
A great way to understand a business, explore career area/s, develop skills and meet new people. It can also look great on your CV and could contribute to a Duke of Edinburgh Award. Here are a few websites to search for opportunities but you can also look at company websites and/or social media directly:
Follow us on social media
Please follow us on Twitter where we share great opportunities and information.
Apprenticeships
The Brokerage and Tracking team have been busy supporting young people into work, with one NEET young person successfully securing a Data Analyst Degree Apprenticeship with Amazon. Here is some of his feedback about the support he was given:
"He helped me make a really good CV that was catered to the career field I was applying for, as well as helping me with a cover letter that I was able to use as a base for the interview questions I was asked during my interview. Each conversation I had with him was very thought provoking and gave me newer ideas and reminded me of examples I could include for my applications as well as interviews, which led me to get a Data Analyst Degree Apprenticeship"
Here are a few more successful apprenticeship placements:
- Level 3 Early Years Educator with Maritime Minis Nursery in Greenwich.
- Level 3 Dental Nurse Assistant at Stratford Dental.
We wish these successful candidates all the best with their apprenticeships!
There are various apprenticeship vacancies around at the moment. We have listed some of our top picks in London. Please note that vacancies can close before the listed closing date.
Level 2/intermediate
Level 3/advanced
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Financial Services at Charles Stanley & Co. Limited. Closing date: 10 July 2023.
- Events Assistant at Whitechapel Art Gallery. Closing date: 20 July 2023. Contact AminaS.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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Optical Assistant at Specsavers. Closing date: 23 July 2023.
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Dental Nurse at Harriet Ellis Training Solutions Ltd. Closing date: 29 July 2023.
Level 4/higher
Level 6/degree
You can find more vacancies by searching on these websites, as well as the company and/or university websites/social media/LinkedIn:
Traineeships
Please note that from 1 August 2023, the Government will no longer fund a standalone national traineeships programme. Traineeships can continue to be offered by providers locally and be integrated into study programmes, check with providers directly.
You can find more vacancies by searching on the Find A Traineeship website until 15 July 2023, then search directly from colleges and training providers.
Also, remember that NEET young people can get help with applications and interview preparation from our team.
Contact us
Careers Young WorkPath is open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and working from the WorkPath office, 55 Upper Bank St, London E14 5GR on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by appointment only. For young people, parents or carers wishing to book a telephone, video or face to face appointment, please contact us at youngworkpath@towerhamlets.gov.uk or on 0800 3581 2410 (free phone) or 0207 364 1401.
We hope you've enjoyed reading our Careers Young WorkPath bulletin, please find further information on our webpage.
If you have any feedback or suggestions of what we should cover, simply email us. Share this with your family and friends to ensure they have the latest information. Anyone can sign up to this and other Tower Hamlets Council e-newsletters using this link.
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