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Welcome to the autumn edition of our e-newsletter. We hope everyone had a lovely half term break.
This is a busy term for the team and Careers Advisers are continuing to work in schools and colleges across the borough supporting pupils in year 11/12/13 to think about their options and help them to make well informed decisions about their next steps and career goals. We also attended the Corporate Parenting Launch and participated in the Show and Tell event at the New Town Hall in October. It was great to meet young people, residents and colleagues from various departments on both days.
Young WorkPath has now moved and we are based at the Idea Store, Watney Market on 260 Commercial Rd, London E1 2FB. We offer face to face interviews on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by appointment, and we are available Tuesday and Thursday for telephone and video appointments only. To book an appointment, please contact us at youngworkpath@towerhamlets.gov.uk or on 0800 3581 2410 (free phone) or 0207 364 1401.
Feedback
It's always good to receive feedback from those that use our service. Here are some recent quotes:
"This service was really helpful and helped me to have a better understanding about apprenticeships and how to actually apply for them." Year 11 student.
"It was great. I was able to learn and fill in a lot of gaps that I had in information about courses in college and sixth form and also was able to know how to get to know more information about the options that I should choose." Year 11 student.
"Like how I am given a variety of options that I can pick and that they send me, and I can go through the information in my Action Plan that was discussed at my appointment." Year 11 student.
"I think that the service is excellent and it should be kept up" Year 11 student.
"When my son returned from abroad after 9 years at the age of 16, I was lost after having called many schools and colleges getting nowhere whatsoever. When getting in touch and meeting up with Mario at Young WorkPath things finally looked clearer, as he confirmed that he was definitely not an international student as my son had been born in the UK. He has been there for us all the way and even offered to attend the registration day at college with us. Without Young WorkPath I don't know what I would have done as I kept getting false information from everywhere. I can very much recommend them and you will never regret as the help and support you receive is priceless." Parent.
Tower Hamlets Council Launch of Corporate Parenting Strategy
On Tuesday 24th October Tower Hamlets Council launched the Corporate Parenting Strategy at the new Town Hall outlining the Council's approach to ensure that children who are/have been in their care have the best experience and outcomes. There were opening words from James Thomas, Corporate Director of Children’s Services and Cllr Talukdar, Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning and speeches from care experienced young people. Attendees signed a pledge to accept the challenge to make a positive difference to children's lives. There were stalls from various services, including Young Tower Hamlets, Wellbeing, Social Services and many others. Young WorkPath were very pleased to attend the event and meet young people and residents, as well as network with colleagues.
Tower Hamlets first 'Show and Tell' careers information event
 The Careers and Social Mobility Team hosted their first ‘Show and Tell’ event at Tower Hamlets Town Hall on Wednesday 25 October, where a range of different departments from within the council showcased their teams, met residents and explained the roles, skills and knowledge required for jobs. It was great to see so many colleagues promote the work of their departments, engaging residents of all ages in conversations about their career plans and giving information and advice.
Progressing to Post-16 in Tower Hamlets in 2024 - updated from last year
We are pleased to announce the new Tower Hamlets Post-16 booklet to support Year 11 students and their parents/carers. The booklet contains lots of great information on options choices, planning next steps, and support on offer including accessing a Careers Adviser.
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and University Bursary schemes
EMA allows pupils in Sixth Form schools and colleges to apply for £400 to support them with their studies. The University Bursary will support students with £1,500 to help with their undergraduate studies. The application deadline for both has been extended to 20 November for the 2023/24 funding.
Ofsted Independent review of careers guidance in schools and further education and skills providers
During the spring term 2023, Ofsted carried out research of careers guidance that included visits to 30 schools and 14 Further Education skills providers. There was also focus groups with inspectors, employers and independent learning providers (ILPs) and a sample of inspection evidence was reviewed. There were many examples of good practice but also highlighted the challenges that schools and FE providers face, including resources.
UCAS launches new apprenticeships service
Recently, UCAS have launched the apprenticeship service within applicants Student Account, also known as UCAS Hub. This allows applicants to search and apply for both degrees and apprenticeships in the same place for the first time.
Insight briefing - Gatsby Benchmark results 2022/2023
This insight briefing shares headlines about careers provision in England from the 2022/23 academic year. The findings are based on 4,534 state-funded secondary schools and colleges (91% of providers) who completed Compass – a self-assessment tool. Schools and colleges in England fully achieved on average 5.5 Gatsby Benchmarks out of 8, more than half a benchmark higher than last year (4.9), even as the number of reporting schools increased.
Circle Collective
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. One of the young people currently on programme and being supported closer to employment is Evan, 18 years old, who is being introduced to local opportunities and employers and being trained in customer service in their retail space in Jubilee Place Mall. Here is quote from Evan:
“I have been given lots of different opportunities with Circle Collective. They have helped me improve my writing skills by helping me write my CV and covering letter. They are really friendly and I feel comfortable taking part in the sessions. I have met people from different companies and am confident I will find a job soon.”
Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), UK: August 2023
The Office for National Statistics reported that in April to June 2023, an estimated 11.6% of all people aged 16 to 24 were not in education, employment or training (NEET). This is a current estimate of 794,000 young people, which is an increase from 770,000 in January to March 2023.
Highest number ever of students accepted through Clearing
UCAS has recently released 2023 applicant data, which reports 38,140 of UK 18-year-olds have secured a place using Clearing, up from 33,280 (+14.6%) in 2022 and 33,000 (+15.6%) in 2019.
Kooth free online mental health and wellbeing service in Tower Hamlets - new video and resources for Parents and Carers
Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous service available to all young people aged 11-25 with a range of tools. A new video and range of resources for parents and carers has been produced.
Post-16 providers
Various sixth forms, colleges and other providers have now opened online and postal applications for courses starting in 2024. 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, also you can find a list of providers in the new Tower Hamlets Post-16 booklet and on our webpage.
UCAS
Well done to those applicants that have submitted their university application to meet the early deadline for Oxbridge, medicine and dentistry courses. The deadline to apply for the majority of other courses to start in September/October 2024 will be 31 January 2024 at 18:00. You can find out more 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 aren’t 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. For young people who are not in education, employment and/or training, they can continue to receive support from Young WorkPath.
Young people can also continue to engage in a range of mostly FREE careers, personal development and fun activities. See below for some ideas, do check for any age restrictions.
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Deloitte's Career Shapers days for Year 10-12 students to begin exploring careers or test out talents to see where they fit best. Applications for the programme running in February 2024 opened on 1 November 2023.
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Arm Technology Work Experience virtual event for students aged 16-21 interested in engineering (software, hardware), electronics, marketing, business and other non-technical areas 23 November 2023 10am - 3pm.
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Skills London various careers and opportunities event with universities, apprenticeship and other providers. 24-25 November 2023 9.30am - 4.00pm.
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Step into the NHS KS3 Competition students are challenged to choose an NHS career that interests them and create a fun and lively job advertisement. Closing date is 30 April 2024.
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UK University & Apprenticeship Fairs for students, parents/carers and professionals. Will feature over 120 exhibitors including universities, apprenticeships and various seminars. 1st March and 21st June, both at Tottenham Stadium 9.30am - 2.30pm.
These have opportunities throughout the year:
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 X (Twitter) where we share great opportunities and information.
Temporary Christmas Vacancies
This is the time of the year when various companies, typically in retail are recruiting for temporary Christmas positions. The duration can vary and possibly develop into a permanent position afterwards. Go to company websites and others, such as Indeed and gov.uk. WorkPath support Tower Hamlets residents and also have various opportunities for ages 16+. Some recent companies include Nike, JD Sports and the Entertainer. Any clients that are not registered must complete the full online registration and provide the relevant ID, find out more here.
Apprenticeships
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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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Dental Nurse at ODL Dental Practice Limited. Closing date: 10 December 2023.
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Rail at Thales Ground Transportation Systems. Closing date: 12 January 2024.
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Accounting at Buzzacott LLP. Closing date: 19 August 2024.
Level 4/5 higher
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Journalist at S&P Global UK Limited. Closing date: 24 November 2023.
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Market Research at Office of Communications (Ofcom). Closing date: 7 December 2023.
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Software Engineer at Vodafone. Closing date: 28 February 2024.
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:
Study Programmes for 16-19 year olds (up to 25 with EHCP) previously known as Traineeships.
Please note that from 1 August 2023, the Government no longer funded a standalone national traineeships programme. Traineeships continue to be offered by providers locally and be integrated into Study Programmes, check with providers directly.
Also, remember that NEET young people can get help with applications and interview preparation from our team.
We hope you've enjoyed reading our Careers Young WorkPath bulletin, please find further information on our webpage. The next regular quarterly e-newsletter will be sent in February.
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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