STEM Employers in School!

If you are pondering on how to address the STEM agenda in your school - well help is at hand! Teacher's TV have developed a video resource highlighting how one teacher has tried to promote the awareness of STEM in the Careers Classroom to Year 8 students.

Click on the link for further details

Read More...

Creative Cultural Sector

By 2014, some 700,000 people are predicted to be working in the creative and cultural sector. That's 700,000 people who could be asking for your advice on careers in advertising, the arts, music, design, cultural heritage and crafts. And, in the current climate, there is an even greater need for trusted careers advice across this creative footprint.

Click on the Link for a free online service offering the tools, knowledge and networks to support everyone starting out, or moving on, in the creative and cultural sector.

Read More...

Employability is Vital

The CBI Director-General, Richard Lambert, said that it is even more important during the recession that students gain vital employability skills and experience of the workplace,so they are better equipped to compete in the increasingly tough jobs market after graduation.



Read More

Read More...

What Careers Advice?

Young people find out about careers through a range of sources: TV Programmes, family and friends, hobbies and interests,celebrities and their subject teachers. There was no spontaneous recall of careers advice in schools. (Recent survey on Information Advice and Guidance)

The world of media is currently one of the strongest career influencers, as it introduces young people to new jobs, exposes them to potential lifestyles and opportunities and brings different industries and careers to life which
is important and can be inspiring. DO WE USE IT IN OUR CEIAG PROGRAMMES?

Read More

Read More...

Massive Shortage in skilled Technicans

While the supposed lack of engineering graduates is widely bemoaned, many companies are instead desperate for competent school-leavers to fill junior roles.

Read More

Read More...

Fostering Programme for Apprentices

Sir Reg Empey answered questions in the NI Assembly to emphasise progress with some of the main priorities for his Department. On apprenticeships,

he did not wish to see trainees who have been affected by the present economic downturn – perhaps even losing their ‘jobs’ – being disadvantaged. Ways to allow them to complete their training, and not wasting progress to date, were outlined – simulated work environments and full-time FE placements. By utilising such initiatives time spent in training to date thus counts, and the apprenticeship can then be completed successfully. Presently, schemes are in place for the construction, engineering and motor industries – but other parts of the economy may be given similar assistance, according to the Minister, if the necessity arises.

A further innovation mentioned was the ‘fostering’ programme for apprentices, whereby those who have lost their placement can be taken on by a ‘foster’ employer to continue their training, with some of Northern Ireland’s largest companies already being amenable to this project. It was also mooted that contractors who win public sector tenders will be required to take on apprentices, as part of the contract; this is already the case in Scotland.

Read More...

Bereavement

We have sadly just heard of the untimely death of a careers colleague, Margaret Bradford Banbridge Academy, RIP.

Read More...

Conference Materials

All materials relating to your Area Learning Community are available on the Virtual Learning Portal. If anything is missing let us know.
www.clounagh.org

Read More...

LSDA NI Launches New Careers Education Pack

LSDA NI recently launched a new publication, Careers
Education for Work Based Learning Providers- A Resource
Pack. It has been produced for use with Training for
Success and Apprenticeships-NI learners. Careers
Education has been identified as a critical aspect of
ensuring young people entering Post-16 education and
training provision make informed choices on their future
career pathway.

Copies of the pack and further information can be
obtained by contacting Nicola Reilly at the LSDA NI Office,
telephone 028 9044 7711 or nreilly@lsda.org.uk

Read More...