Careers & Advice

Preparing every student for life after David Game College is important to us; each student is given a personalised programme of support. The vast majority go on to the university of their choice, but a few decide they may want to enter an apprenticeship programme and we support them in this career choice.

Unifrog green logo universal careers platform (1)

The College has invested in ‘Unifrog’ –  the world's biggest database of post-16 and post-18 opportunities. It is a complete destinations platform that enables students to explore career pathways, opportunities and higher education applications. All students are given access to the platform and register an account to ensure they make use of the variety of resources available to them. Unifrog supports future decision-making and career options and includes some platform features including careers library, locker of competencies, personal statement guidance and up-to-date information on everything from apprenticeships to Oxbridge applications.

In addition, each student has a designated personal tutor whom they meet with on a weekly basis for a 1-hour tutorial session, some of which will focus on careers and progression. This is reinforced in the weekly assembly programme which invites guest speakers to discuss careers and pathways into the world of work.

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Labour Market Information

Labour Market Information refers to data and insights related to employment trends, job opportunities, wages, skills demand, and other factors that influence the job market. This information is valuable for job seekers, employers, policymakers, and economists to understand the dynamics of employment, make informed decisions, and develop strategies for workforce development. It includes statistics such as unemployment rates, job vacancies, industry growth projections, and educational requirements for various occupations.

Unifrog career profiles include up to date information on labour market information and is explored with students in personal tutor sessions and in assemblies. More Labour Market information can be found here: https://www.lmiforall.org.uk/

Gatsby Benchmarks

The ‘Gatsby Benchmarks’ refer to a framework of guidelines used in the United Kingdom to measure and improve careers guidance in schools and colleges. Developed by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, these eight benchmarks outline the best practices for providing high-quality career guidance to students. They cover areas such as career guidance programs, employer engagement, work experience, and encounters with further and higher education. The aim is to ensure that young people receive the support and information they need to make well-informed decisions about their education and future career paths. David Game College is committed to meeting and exceeding the eight Gatsby Benchmarks.  More information about the Gatsby Benchmarks can be found here: https://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance

Work Experience

Guidance is given to help students find work experience placements.  Many university courses require work experience to have been undertaken by the time the UCAS application form has been completed. Students will get help with organising their work placements.

Work experience placements have been organised in hospitals, sports physiotherapy, medical settings such as blood clinics and pharmacies.  Internships have included legal and financial firms in the City of London, and design and fashion in London's fashion houses. Many of our students find challenging and fulfilling work experience placements after receiving support with their CV writing and interview skills.

Careers Days

At DGC we organise events to expose students to various career options, industries, and educational pathways. This includes inviting professionals, employers, and representatives from universities or vocational institutions to engage with students through presentations, workshops, and interactive sessions.

The goals of these events include:

  • Career Exploration: Introducing students to a wide range of career options and industries to help them understand the diversity of career paths available.
  • Information Gathering:  Providing students with information about educational requirements, skills needed, job prospects, and potential career trajectories in different fields.
  • Networking: Offering students the opportunity to interact directly with professionals and ask questions about their careers, experiences, and advice for entering the workforce.
  • Skill Development: Conducting workshops or activities aimed at developing students' employability skills, such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, and networking.
  • Inspiration and Motivation: Inspiring students by showcasing success stories and real-world examples of individuals who have pursued their passions and achieved success in their chosen careers.

Recent events have included a trip to the British Film Institute, which included a talk from Oscar winning director Asif Kapadia about his documentary-making techniques for those students wanting to enter the film industry. Students exploring apprenticeship opportunities attended a trip to the Festival of Apprenticeships, an event that advocates, promotes and celebrates apprenticeships. Students applying to University have attended the UCAS ‘Create your own Future’ and ‘Discovery Event’  which enabled them  to talk to universities  and colleges about their courses and university life and  to employers and apprenticeship providers about what an apprenticeship is like and the options available.

BFI

Useful Websites

For schools in the UK, there are specific careers websites tailored to students’ needs and educational settings. These websites are designed to support students in exploring career options, understanding the world of work, and planning their future pathways. They offer a range of interactive tools, information resources, and guidance to help students make informed decisions about their education and careers.

Here are some useful ones:

  • National Careers Service: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ provides information, advice, and guidance to help individuals make decisions on learning, training, and work opportunities.
  • Unifrog; https://www.unifrog.org/ The universal online destinations platform designed for students aged 11-18, offering tools to explore career options, build CVs, and research educational pathways. It provides information on different industries, job roles, and routes into careers.
  • Success at School https://successatschool.org/  Success at School provides careers advice and resources for students aged 11-19, including articles, videos, and interactive tools to explore different career paths and develop employability skills.
  • Not going to Uni https://notgoingtouni.co.uk/ The "Not Going to Uni" website is a UK-based platform that provides information and resources for young people who are considering alternatives to traditional university education. It offers guidance on apprenticeships, vocational training, gap years, and other pathways into employment that do not necessarily involve attending university. The website features job listings, apprenticeship opportunities, advice articles, and tools to help users explore different career options and make informed decisions about their future. It aims to highlight the various opportunities available outside of the university route and support individuals in finding alternative paths to achieve their career goals.
     

Apprenticeships: In the UK, several reputable apprenticeship platforms connect individuals with apprenticeship opportunities across various industries. These platforms offer a variety of apprenticeship opportunities across different sectors, providing valuable resources and support for individuals seeking to start their career through apprenticeships. Here are some good ones:

  • Find an Apprenticeship https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship): Managed by the UK government, this platform allows users to search and apply for apprenticeship vacancies across England. It provides a wide range of apprenticeship opportunities in different sectors and industries.
  •  GetMyFirstJob  https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk/: This platform specialises in matching young people with apprenticeship vacancies and traineeship opportunities. It offers a personalised approach, allowing users to create profiles and receive tailored job recommendations based on their interests and skills.
  •  Apprenticeships.org.uk https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/: Another government-managed platform, Apprenticeships.org.uk provides information on apprenticeships, including how to find and apply for vacancies, funding options, and guidance for employers and training providers.

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There are several useful careers websites in the UK that offer a variety of resources and tools for job seekers, students, and professionals. Here are some popular ones:

  • Prospects https://www.prospects.ac.uk/: Offers career advice and information on graduate jobs, postgraduate study, and further education options.
  • TargetJobs https://targetjobs.co.uk/: Focuses on graduate recruitment and offers job listings, employer profiles, and career advice articles.
  • Reed https://www.reed.co.uk/: One of the largest job boards in the UK, featuring job listings across various industries and career advice resources.
  • Totaljobs https://www.totaljobs.com/: Another popular job board with thousands of job listings and career advice articles.
  • Indeed https://www.indeed.co.uk/: A comprehensive job search engine that aggregates job listings from various sources, including company websites and job boards.
  • Glassdoor https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/: Provides company reviews, salary information, and job listings to help job seekers research companies and find suitable opportunities.

Meet Our Students

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Yanina

University of Cambridge

Anna

University of Cambridge

Jelal

University of Cambridge

Bob

UCLan

Caroline

Imperial College, London

Kuda

Brunel University

Iman

Queen Mary University

Kumsal

Queen Mary University

Emmeline

King's College, London

Jack

GCSE Day Student

Molly

University of Sussex

Ruqaya

GCSE Day Student