Every school should have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by students, parents, teachers, governors and employers.

We offer a year-round programme of careers education and guidance to students across all levels: 

Autumn term:

• Introduction to Careers
• UCAS HE Fair
• Introduction to HE  
• Introduction to UCAS Application Process workshops   
• Right Choice  
• Late applications  
• Personal Statements Workshop
• Introduction to Student Finance Workshop
• Mock Interviews for University
• CV Writing
• Progression Talks

Spring Term:

• Visits to Universities
• Introduction to Student Finance 
• Interview Techniques
• What Employers Want
• Job Search & Apply
• Cover Letters
• Careers Fair
• Mock interviews with Industry Professionals
• Money Management
• Presentation Skills

Summer Term:

• Job Search & Apply
• Evaluation and Reflection
• CV Workshops
• Apprenticeship Guidance 
• Post results support

All year round:

• Comprehensive programme of speakers
• Work placements and work experience 
• Community Weeks 
• Career Planning
• Unifrog and Xello Skills Sessions
• Career Information & Advice Sessions
• Apprenticeship Guidance

All students and parents should have access to high-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.

Throughout your time at College, you will get to find out about the different careers and opportunities available once you complete your course.

Our website offers up-to-date labour market information about expected salaries, giving students an idea of what they could expect to earn should they complete and gain a job in that ndustry. We take this data from LMI for All LMI For All – LMI For All a national government database and Start in Kent managed by The Education People, which includes information about jobs and opportunities in the local Thanet area.  So you can be assured our information is up-to-date and relevant.   

In addition to our website we also make use of software to help current and prospective students understand their options. The Unifrog and Xello software has interactive quizzes, videos, and labour market information. Students can gain industry insights into everything from average salary, to projected industry growth, to the number of people employed in this role.

Throughout their Study Programme, students will meet with industry professionals and alumni to explore in more detail what the job market in their chosen field is like. This is bolstered by career exploration in the form of workshops, workplace visits, and industry visits.   

Onsite, students can visit our Careers Hub to find out more about potential jobs and book one-to-one appointments with trained Careers Advisers. The Careers Hub is based in our Welcome building and is easily accessible to all students. In addition to one-to-one appointments, the Careers Hub contains appropriate resources including books, leaflets, and course guides. There is also a dedicated online platform via EKC Online for Careers. Here students can download activities and information on employment, self-employment, progression, higher education, and apprenticeships.

Students have different careers guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support should be tailored to each of these stages, with diversity and equality embedded in the school’s careers programme.

We understand that every learner's needs are different. That is why we tailor our workshops and guidance to each individual student's needs. Our Careers Advisers work closely with our curriculum departments and our Additional Learning Support team to ensure all workshops and guidance meet individual needs. 

Throughout the year, we work with various organisations and other providers to ensure our careers programme actively seeks to challenge stereotypical thinking and raise aspirations. We work with KAMCOP and local universities to deliver relevant enrichment sessions, we also work closely with the Careers and Enterprise Company and the National Careers Service to ensure our advice and guidance is as good as can be for each student.

Through our active Students' Union, we promote many diverse events throughout the year to ensure students continue to challenge their own views and learn more about the world around them. Our Student Voice talks and student surveys also allow us to gather feedback and improve our service each year. 

All teachers link curriculum learning with careers.

Our Study Programmes are built around preparing you for your chosen career. This includes: 

• Providing you with workshops, tools and facilities found in out in the industry 
• Having teachers who are industry experts who have worked in the jobs you are training to do. 
• Taking part in relevant work experience - this might be blocks of work placements or short -term projects depending on level or pathway but every student will have the opportunity. to undertake relevant experience of workplaces.
• Meeting guest speakers and past students to hear more about what careers you can go into after completing your studies and what the world of work is like. 
• Going on trips and visits to employers and other relevant events or attractions to help raise aspirations and broaden your horizons. 
• Taking part in workshops and onsite events to embed career knowledge and help you build your CV. 

Every student should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace.

We work closely with employers to ensure all of our students get to undertake work experience as part of their course. Our dedicated Industry Liasion Officers build up networks of employer contacts and work with the Careers team to provide: 

• Mock Interviews 
• Industry Visits 
• Community Week Activities 
• Careers Fairs 
• Guest Talks 
• Employer-led Projects

Every student 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.

We are incredibly lucky to have our own onsite facilities that replicate workplaces. We have also invested heavily in providing students with real working environments through our Commercial Services business unit. From The Yarrow hotel for our Catering, Hospitality, Business and Hair and Beauty students to our on-site nursery for Early Years students, we have the facilities to provide excellent work experience. 

In addition to on-site facilities, we also build strong links with businesses. Through our dedicated Industry Liasion Officers, students will all get to undertake work experience as part of their programme. They will also have added opportunities to experience the work environment through: 

• Mock Interviews 
• Industry Visits 
• Community Week Activities 
• Careers Fairs 
• Guest Talks 
• Employer-led Projects

All students should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and the workplace.

Our students are given the opportunity to explore their options throughout their time with us. being part of the EKC Group allows our students to explore different courses and level of study across all of our business units, including Apprenticeships and Higher Education. 

In addition to this, we also work closely with universities and other providers and all students will have the chance to attend our on-site HE Fair in the autumn term and our Careers Fair in the Spring or Summer term.

Every student 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.

Our Careers Advisers offer a free and impartial service to all students and are there to support learners to progress in their career throughout their time at College. Careers Advisers can support you in a variety of ways, including: 

• University options and UCAS Apply support
• Career planning
• CV writing
• Interview techniques
• Job search and application support
• One-to-one guidance appointments
• Advice by email and telephone
• Access to Unifrog and Xello, online career development services