FOR PARENTS

The decision young people make from an early stage in their careers and education can have a big impact on their future career choices and happiness. As parents you have a vital role to play in supporting your child with their next steps and future career choices.

Young people today have more options than ever. With an ever-changing workplace landscape, it is even more important for them to make informed choices for their education, training and employment.

At Chesterfield College and beyond, there are many progression options that your child can consider.

How to support your child with their post 16 choices

Parents and Careers have a key role to play in the decision-making processes and the general career path their child chooses to pursue. Sometimes it is difficult to know how involved to be. Should you adopt a hands-on role? What is the best advice you can give your child? When do you need to get involved?.

We’ve put together some useful links to advice so that you can support your child with their choices:

UCAS

Career Map

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer an opportunity to your child to earn whilst they learn and gain valuable industry experience.

Apprenticeships can be taken in a wide range of industry sectors and provide entry to all types of careers, including accountancy, administration, IT, Content Creator, management, Engineering plus many more.

Discover more

Careers Team

What does the Careers Team offer?

We have resources to help all students and apprentices. Students and apprentices will have access to the following whilst they are studying with us.

Internet access to various careers websites including UCAS and National Careers There are many other websites available and students will be signposted to these based on individual need.

Information and advice on choosing university courses and the UCAS application process.

Support with writing CVs, completing application forms and preparing for interviews.

Support with exploring employment and volunteering opportunities.

Guidance information about options is open to all students and apprentices before, during and after completing their course.

Your child may be really confused about what they want to do next, and may need to talk it through with one of our careers advisers. To access the service, they can book an appointment by visiting the Student & Apprentice Services Hub or calling/emailing 01246 500500 /careersteam@chesterfield.ac.uk.

Post 18 Options

Chesterfield College encourages all students to think carefully about their post 18 options to help them progress into the next part of their career journey. Students need to be aware of and carefully research the exciting opportunities that are available to them, and also know the entry requirements for all their options including:

University
Apprenticeships
Gap Year
Employment

It is essential that you, as their parent(s)/guardian(s) support your child on their career journey and the information on this page should support you to be able to do this effectively.

Progress to the next level of current course or a different subject

At Chesterfield College, we have many different courses available for your child to progress on to weather that be in the same or similar subject to the course they are currently studying or something completely different.

From January onwards, your child’s personal tutor will start talking to your son and daughter about their next steps and can advise on the progression options available to them.

Course finder

Higher Education

UK higher education (including Chesterfield College) offers a range of courses and qualifications, including degrees, foundation degrees or Higher National Diplomas.

Find out more

Employment

The world of work can be an exciting option. Remember, if your child chooses to go down this route, they should not rule out future study at a later date.

If your child does plan to get a job after college, encourage them to think carefully about the kind of work they want to do and the reasons for doing it.

Feel supported

What can you do to help?

Encourage your child to speak to their course tutor – they can provide advice on the progression options available to them.
Make an appointment to speak to our Careers Guidance Team at Chesterfield College – they will be able to answer any questions you or your child may have and talk you through the options available.
Outside of College hours, encourage your child to find out what courses, apprenticeships, jobs and other training opportunities are available.
Encourage your child to explore all of the learning options available to them.
Make the most of open day opportunities here at Chesterfield College.
Talk to your child about careers they are interested in. Find out what they know already and encourage them to visit the careers library to find out more.
Get involved with their plans. If your child is planning to go to university, they need to plan carefully. They should think about; what subject/s they want to study, which institutions offer relevant courses, whether the program of study suits them, whether they want to study close to home or move further afield and whether the campus offers other facilities which are important to them e.g. sports facilities. Our dedicated Careers Guidance Team can also support you and your child with this.

Knowing where to start when supporting your child can often be quite daunting, however, there is plenty of help at hand at Chesterfield College. Should you require any help or support in supporting your child with their progression options please contact our Careers Guidance Team via careersteam@chesterfield.ac.uk.

Keep in touch

It’s important for us to keep in touch with you throughout the academic year, providing updates on your child’s progress and changes and improvements taking place at the college. We produce and distribute a parents’/guardians’ e-newsletter once a term that aims to update you on key information, important events and some of the great work that our students undertake during their time with us. If you would like to receive a copy of this newsletter, please complete the form below to join our mailing list.

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Chesterfield College Open Day

Thinking about studying at college? Come along to one of our Open Evenings to learn more about the many courses and apprenticeships we have to offer.

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