Chucky Mama Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Looking for advice for a friend of DD's. She is not stupid but is not academic at all. She is struggling through sixth form but is at best going to come out with a PE/Sport type qualification and little else. She is a lovely girl and a great gymnast. She is a bit lost and needs some career guidance. Personal training, sports intructing, fitness instructing, working with disabled children (has a disabled brother) in sport, caring etc are all right up her street. What should she be doing in terms of 'qualifications' or training etc to get her foot on the first rung o the ladder. I see little point in her struggling to get more academic qualifications. Any help very much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Suggest she have a think about careers like paramedic as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Her school has the legal responsibility to offer her independent advice and guidance. However, many ( most) are rubbish and Ofsted are to report on the situation in the summer. Anyway, she can't wait for that. She needs to be thinking about Higher Level Apprenticeships as an option. She'll work, be paid, and end up with a University level qualification. I know several youngsters who have chosen this route at 18. There is a lot of government thinking and funding going into these, and there are now 16 Frameworks (i.e. specific industry sectors). Believe it or not, the most popular one at the moment is Accountancy. All the big accountancy firms now offer them, and several smaller ones. But there are loads of others. There's a big need for people to do Science and Engineering ones for instance. The school should be able to signpost her to these but if not send me a pm and I'll do a bit of research for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 We ahve several friends who work in special needs schools, and train whilst doing the job. All are really smashing people, who are carving good careers for themselves via this method. Maybe suggest that she goes to any special needs centre, and has a look around, (may need to make an appointment), I'm sure the staff would be more than happy to explain the ups/downs/quals needed to start, and how to continue. Hope she gets to where She wants to be, not everyone is a Rocket Scientist, but most get to where they want to be eventually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Armed Forces, Police and Lorry Driver are paths taken by my three non-academics. Not everyones cup of tea but she might as well consider allsorts. If she's between 16-17 she can go to Harrogate Army Foundation College. If she loves sport she'll do well there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 I'm a form tutor to 20 non-academic post 16 students doing sport. Unfortunately there aren't as many jobs in personal training etc as there are people who would like to work in that field. Working as a TA is a possible route but as many graduates are now doing this to build experience before applying to teach, there tend to be many highly qualified candidates for each job . Has she had an appointment with her local Connexions advisers? Our school has them on site and no student comes out of their office without a list of options ands backup plans. Off the top of my head I would suggest she considers the public services such as police or fire service as long term plans, but a good connexions adviser will be able to support her in finding lots of ideas and local options. Apprenticeships are a good option though they are very competitive at present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Suggest she have a think about careers like paramedic as well. My understanding Patricia, from a friend whose DD is trying to get into this field is that you still have to be fairly academic to get into this. Sadly we live in a world where everything seems to need a degree and it's putting off some fine candidates...remember SEN /SRN that worked so well and trained so many caring nurses to do a fabulous job without having to be hugely academic. Anyway I digress...what about a qualification in sailing/an outward bound type training course?..my DS did his dinghy instructor training and worked his holidays at our local centre training both able and disabled sailors and disadvantaged youngsters (and still does ). A friend who did a similar course is planning to work the summer crewing the super yachts this year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Many kids labelled 'non-academic' do very well at Uni, once they get away from 'traditional' school subjects. There's a whole host of sports-related degrees that people can do, ranging from those which are quite academic (at Loughborough Uni), for eg, to those which are far more vocational (eg at Bedford). They have open days, so going along and talking to people is always a great idea. Even if she decides it's not for her, it could give her some pointers about careers and options. Of course, if she's not going to get the 2 A levels needed that could be a problem, although there are access courses. Lack of careers advice at school is, of course, a huge part of the problem. In my own area, I spend literally hundreds of hours each year trying to debunk the myths perpetuated by 'careers' people in schools to people who are interested in my field - so I'm sure it's just as bad in other areas I would agree with the suggestion of the connexions advisor, with the caveat, that they're not all good and some give the same weird advice as schools careers people - so always double check suggestions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted May 18, 2013 Share Posted May 18, 2013 You say she's a good gymnast- has she tried coaching? My friend started out volunteering with the coaches at her gym and has since learnt some great skills and earned herself real qualifications and now has a part time job coaching gymnastics at ~£11 an hour whilst at uni, so as ended up better than the rest of us! She could try a degree in sports science or something similar at uni, but I must recommend volunteer work in the meantime as it will help her in the long run. Personally I have signed up to volunteer at the commonwealth games in Glasgow and I'm waiting on my interview. I'm not sure if applications are still open (I have a feeling they may have closed ) but maybe this (or similar events) are something she could look into as they are often in need of volunteers (and sometimes paid work!) and as a sporty girl I'm sure they'd be something she'd enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted May 18, 2013 Author Share Posted May 18, 2013 Thanks everyone, some good things to consider, I will pass your comments on to her as they come it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted May 18, 2013 Share Posted May 18, 2013 She could have a browse on https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx for ideas. They offer web chat and phone chats with advisers too x Edited to add: It's interesting to read what people think of the careers advice available in schools. My work relates to the FE sector, specifically relating to the careers service and information, advice and guidance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickensaregreat Posted May 18, 2013 Share Posted May 18, 2013 You could also look at access courses. i have a friend who did one as she didn't enjoy college and used it as a stepping stone to go onto to uni to do teaching but i think they lots of different courses Don't know if it is something she is interested in but another option! http://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/home/publications/caseStudies/studentguide.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 For those interested in apprenticeships (at any level) this is a good place to start: https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide/applications-and-qualifications I hope the link works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
