Careers Programmes

Our Careers Programme is based on the DOTS principles which takes students through the stages of developing Self-Awareness, identifying Opportunities, making Decisions, and creating a Transition plan and we also aim to incorporate the six learning areas of the Career Development Institute’s Careers Development Framework.  It aligns with the VESPA Mindset a teaching model that draws together current thinking from psychology, business and sport to inspire, motivate and support students to work towards their full potential. Progress Coaches, teachers, and the Careers and Progression team work closely together to ensure that we deliver a coherent careers programme across all college activities.   We work towards achieving the eight Gatsby Benchmarks.

The Unifrog careers platform underpins the programme and ensures that every student has a vast array of careers information available at their fingertips throughout their time at Long Road and beyond.  Progress Coaches, teachers, and careers staff guide students particularly in the use of Unifrog tools to shortlist university and apprenticeships destinations and to record Activities and Competencies, or employability skills which are crucial to securing work.

Level 2 and Level 3 students have careers embedded within their tutorial and teaching programmes and those elements are shown in the schedule below.  In addition, the Careers and Progression Office offers a wide range of events and activities to help prepare students for a successful future.  This Programme has a clear focus on developing self-awareness, self-confidence, self-management, and important employability skills for the future.  We make students aware of different progression routes, with opportunities to meet a wide range of employers and representatives from other Further Education Institutions, as well as preparation for future transitions, including progression into Level 3 study where appropriate. In 2022-23, Level 2 students will receive extra support in the form of dedicated one-to-one careers guidance and an extra opportunity to meet employers to do mock interviews.

We encourage all students to engage with Careers activities within the college and have set aside a slot in their timetable entitled ‘Progression Planning’ to reflect upon this element of their study programme.  This slot can be used to complete Unifrog tasks or to request a personal careers guidance session.  We believe that this will empower them for the future and enhance their chances of success. 

All students can request a careers' guidance session, use a drop-in session, and can attend events except for those targeted at specific groups.  The programme summarised below is available to all students except where indicated.

Any employers, FE colleges, or voluntary organisations wishing to participate in our Careers Fair, Volunteering Fair, or Apprenticeships Careers Carousel events and those wishing to offer work experience opportunities or subject-based class talks should contact careers@longroad.ac.uk in the first instance.