Our careers programme is designed to inform and inspire the next steps for our students. As a college, it is important to us to provide information to all of our students about all the possible routes they can take. For this reason our careers programme includes an array of activities and opportunities that advise on higher education, apprenticeships, the world of work, gap years, the armed forces and work with training. Below is a summary of our careers programme.
Summary of our careers programme
| Autumn term | Spring term | Summer term | |
| Route 3 | 1:1 career meetings – with our level 6 qualified Careers Advisors | Mock interviews – with external employers from an array of sector backgrounds | Variety of work skills workshops including CV writing, developing work competencies and positive attitude |
| Lower Sixth | Progress review days – Talks and information from Higher Education institutes, providers of Apprenticeships and local employers | Careers marketplace event – an opportunity to work with fellow students and local employers to develop work competencies | Programme of information talks – ‘Next steps after college’ |
| Upper Sixth | Progress review days – Talks and information from Higher Education institutes, providers of Apprenticeships and local employers | Building Futures Evening with careers fair | Programme of information talks – ‘Next steps after college’ |
To book an appointment please click the link below. Please be advised all meetings should be scheduled in a DST slot. You cannot book a meeting at a scheduled lesson time. If are struggling to find a suitable time slot please email futures@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk and we can find you a slot. Thank you!
To view the full Careers Programme click here
Our careers programme is reviewed annually at the end of the academic year.
To view our policy statement on provider access click here
Debbi Hodson
Head of Department for FYi Learner Resources & Futures, Career Lead
NPQ Middle Leadership qualification
Postgraduate Certificate in Career Leadership
NVQ Level 4 in Childcare and Management (CACHE)
NVQ Level 3 in Leadership and Management (ILM)
Email: debbi.hodson@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk
Telephone: 01253 394911
OUR CAREERS ADVISORS ARE REGISTERED AND LEVEL 6 QUALIFIED.
*Please note due to the current pandemic – this will be telephone appointments only.
Click here for what to expect from a Careers Service appointment and how to prepare.
Sian Roberts (RCDP)
Enterprise Employability Officer and Careers Advisor
BA (Hons) Fine Art & Printmaking
Level 5 Diploma Career Education
Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development
PGC post graduate teacher qualification
NPQ middle leadership qualification
Email: sian.roberts@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk
Telephone: 01253 394911
Samantha Forsyth (RCDP)
Careers Advisor
BSc (Hons) Psychology
Level 5 Diploma Career Education
Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development
NPQ middle leadership qualification
Email: sam.forsyth@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk
Telephone: 01253 394911
New Enterprise Advisor for Blackpool Sixth
Georgia Thomas is the Business Administration Manager at Victrex Manufacturing Ltd, located in Thornton, Lancashire. Victrex is a world leader in PEEK and PAEK-based polymer solutions, helping customers to overcome complex design and engineering challenges.
As a born and bred local, Georgia attended Montgomery High School and then Blackpool Sixth where she studied a BTEC in Fashion Design, Spanish and French language. Post Sixth Form, Georgia opted for an apprenticeship with Blackpool & The Fylde College, gaining a position at a large national travel company. After the completion of the Business Admin qualification, Georgia successfully applied for internal promotions, twice and gained further skills, training and a second qualification in Customer Service. Taking the next step in her career, Georgia moved to a local event management company and worked as an Event Manager, organising and supporting varied events across Lancashire. In February 2018, Georgia began her role at Victrex, with several direct reports for the first time, managing a functional budget and delivering Admin services across the business. Since then, she has become a STEM ambassador, SIP ambassador and now an Enterprise Advisor for Blackpool Sixth to offer support and insight into the industry to young local people.
What are the Gatsby Benchmarks?
The eight benchmarks are a framework for good career guidance developed to support schools in providing students with the best possible careers education, information, advice, and guidance. They were established as part of Sir John Holman’s research into what pragmatic actions could improve career guidance in England, and lay out what a world-class career guidance system looks like. The Benchmarks form part of the careers strategy, launched December 2017.
For more information: https://www.gatsby.org.uk/
- 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 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.
How does Blackpool Sixth meet the Gatsby Benchmarks?
Blackpool Sixth supports good careers education advice, information and guidance allowing our students to make informed choices throughout their transitional stages. In addition quality careers guidance inspires students and allows them to experience and investigate their next steps in a safe and nurturing environment. The Gatsby Benchmarks provides a framework as to what a good careers provision should look like. In addition to assessing the college against the Gatsby Benchmarks we also measure the impact of our careers provision through destination, retention and attainment data.
Useful Links
Gatsby Benchmarks
www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/schools-colleges/understand-gatsby-benchmarks
www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance
www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/sites/default/files/uploaded/gatsby_benchmark_toolkit.pdf
Further Reading
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/749151/Careers_guidance-Guide_for_colleges.pdf
www.lancashireskillshub.co.uk/about-us/evidence-base/
www.ons.gov.uk/
www.nomisweb.co.uk/
The Futures Team are available 8:30am-4:30pm based at the back of the Fyi computer area. Our main focus is to ensure all students have access to career education, development and guidance. We provide opportunities for students through 1 to 1 guidance sessions, work placements, workshops, guest speakers and career fairs. This is to highlight to students the importance of being prepared for the world of work, the skills required and how to be successful in their career plan. All students are entitled to a careers appointment with a trained Careers Advisor. To make an appointment click the link below.
The team requests that once you have booked the meeting, you follow this link to prepare using the information provided. Understanding what to expect from a face to face and becoming familiar with the meeting prior to the session will allow you to get the most out of the experience.
Follow the link below for more information about careers:
https://sites.