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Careers Advice
Are you thinking about your future or worried about what to do after education? Well, you need not worry, instead we can help you channel your energy into planning what you are going to do. There is plenty of support and help available at Winstanley to help you discover what is right for you and to give you the information you need to shape your future. You can discuss these options individually with your personal tutor, careers advisors and any of the Careers Hub team.
After leaving college there are four main options:
- Attending a university
- Starting an apprenticeship or sponsored degree programme
- Seeking employment
- Take a gap year
As well as the Careers Hub, your local authority offer free Careers Advice. Careers Connect can support people of all ages at whatever stage of their careers journey.
Attending University
Attending University
Going to university can be the most rewarding, life changing experience. Deciding where to go and what to study can be very daunting but we can help you navigate this decision. With over 160 universities and 65,000 courses in the UK, this is a big decision to make. At Winstanley our personal tutors are UCAS trained in guiding students through this process. During guidance time, students will research different universities and explore which courses are right for you.
If students feel overwhelmed and unsure during this process, our experienced Careers Advisor, Julie Tindall offers detailed and in-depth careers sessions with an action plan of ideas.
Winstanley also runs several events to support students and staff when exploring university options. Our Higher Education Event (HE) in June will inform all students about the application process, from admissions to finance. Many Universities also attend our HE Careers Fair, giving students the opportunity to speak to universities near and far. Winstanley Progression Day in June provides students with informative workshops (chosen by them) on specific HE areas.
The following resources will also support students who are considering university:
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships
A recent UCAS report suggested that over 40% of undergraduates are now considering an Apprenticeship or Degree Apprenticeships. The UK is currently undergoing technical reform leaving some undergraduates confused with the structure of apprenticeship qualifications. Certain subjects lend themselves towards the apprenticeship route such as Business and STEM, however other subjects such as Art and Design are still catching up. Having said this, Apprenticeships are rapidly growing, in particular within the Health sector.
The Careers Hub is way ahead in providing the best knowledge and information on the world of Apprenticeships. We have teamed together with government organisations, apprenticeship providers and key universities who offer degree apprenticeships. The Hub has recently created a specific programme for those considering this pathway. We offer students a range of informative sessions, so they clearly understand all options available. Our programme provides the following events and activities:
- information evenings with Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge (ASK)
- workshops throughout the year in line with the application process
- visits from regional apprenticeships providers such as BAE and PwC
Winstanley also hosts an annual Careers and Apprenticeship event in November with over 50 guests who can engage in meaningful conversations with our students. For more information about our range of employer encounters please see our Provider Access Policy.
Winstanley College Provider Access Policy
The following resources are useful. Please see our Careers Programme Guide for more details.
RateMyApprenticeship: Apprenticeships, School Leaver Jobs & Reviews
Find an apprenticeship - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Higher & Degree Listing - Amazing Apprenticeships
GetMyFirstJob | Apprenticeships, Degree Apprenticeships, Work Experience & Graduate Jobs
Apprenticeship role of Honour 2024
| Student | Destination | School |
| Christopher | Weapons Engineer, Navy | St. Bede's RCHS |
| Oliver Harry | The Government Economic Service Degree Level 6 Apprenticeship in the Department for Business and Trade | Culcheth HS |
| Lorna | Police | Rainford HS |
| Jack David | Level 7, Quantity Surveying | St. Mary's RCHS, Leigh |
| Leah Jane | Level 7, Management Accounting, Agilisys | Outwood Grange Hindley |
| Will James | Level 7, Auditing, Deloitte | Burscough Priory Academy |
| Lucas | Level 7 Degree, Quantity Surveyor, Vinci Construction | St. Bede's RCHS |
| Joshua John | Level 7 Apprentice accountant apprenticeship. KPMG | St. Bede's RCHS |
| Thomas Stanley | Level 6, Engineer, Balfour Beatty | Our Lady's RCHS, Skelmersdale |
| Sophie Michelle | Level 6, Degree, Software Engineering | Birchwood Community School |
| Rajveer | Level 6, Degree Manufacturing Test Engineering, MBDA | Co-op Academy Walkden |
| Daniel Joseph | Level 6, Tech Analyst, Barclays | Golborne HS |
| Charlie | Level 6 Degree, Police, GMP | Hawkley Hall HS |
| Erin Grace | Level 6 Degree, Police Constable, GMP | Scarisbrick Hall |
| Dylan | Level 6 Degree, Nuclear, Sellafield | Upholland HS |
| Josh | Level 6 Degree, Digital Marketing, Linkit Recruitment | Cansfield HS |
| Oliver James | Level 6 Degree, BNI Endevour | Outwood Grange Hindley |
| Finnian Alexander | Level 5 Degree, Metal Design Apprentice, Cavendish Nuclear | Fred Longworth HS |
| Phoebe Amelia | Level 4, Weapons Engineering, Royal Navy | Standish HS |
| Daniel | Level 4, Weapons Engineering | St. Peter's RCHS |
| Cole | Level 4, Transmission Engineer, National Grid. | St. Peter's RCHS |
| Taylor | Level 4, Quantity Surveyor, Mott McDonald | St. Bede's RCHS |
| Mia Isabella | Level 4, Paralegal, Hill Dickinson LLP | St. Bede's RCHS |
| Harrison John | Level 4, Investment Operations Specialist, AJ Bell | St. Bede's RCHS |
| Oliver William | Level 4, Engineering Apprenticeship, Vinci | St. Bede's RCHS |
| Niamh Marie | Level 4, Accountancy, Trevor Hall Associates | Hawkley Hall HS |
| Lucas James | Level 4, Actuarial, First Actuarial | St. Mary's RCHS, Leigh |
| James Thomas | Level 4 Degree, RSM | St. Bede's RCHS |
| Anja | Level 4 Degree, 'Intern Management Accountant' with progression to Level 7 CIMA, PWC | Upholland HS |
| Savanna | Level 3, Teaching Assistant, Hindley All Saints Primary School | Outwood Grange Hindley |
| Lily Katherine | Level 3, Production, BBC Sounds department | Fred Longworth HS |
| Kyle | Level 3, NDT technician, Sonomatic | Culcheth HS |
| Lucy Rebecca | Level 3, Marketing and Communications, Purple Tree | St. Peter's RCHS |
| Oliver David | Level 3, Fire & Technical Security Engineer | Hawkley Hall HS |
| Jonathon Andreas Sarris | Level 3, Finance, Sunbelt Rentals | Golborne HS |
| Aaron | Level 3, Compliance and Risk Officer, Direct Line Insurance | Standish HS |
| Megan Catherine | Level 3, Business Intelligence, NHS | Upholland HS |
| Max | Level 3, Business Development Manager, AXA Insurance | Lowton HS |
| William Scott | Level 3, Accounts Assistant, Roby Brimley and Co | St. Joseph's RCHS, Horwich |
| Nathan | Level 3, Accountancy, Ryans Chartered Accountants | Hawkley Hall HS |
| Melissa | Level 3, Accountancy, Fairhurst Accountants | Outwood Grange Haydock |
| William | Level 3, Accountancy, Ryan's Chartered Accountants | Standish HS |
| Olivia Sarah | Level 3, Financial Adviser, Lloyd and Co | Greenbank HS |
| Dylan White | Level 3, Engineering, Aquacut Limited | Byrchall HS |
| Francesca | Level 3, Accountancy, Fairhurst Accounting | Hawkley Hall HS |
| Charlotte Jane | Degree, Trainee Chartered Accountant Saffery, Manchester | St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS |
| William | Degree, Solicitor, Spencer Churchill | Hope Academy |
| Poppy | Degree, Scientific Researcher, Crown Paints | Ormskirk School |
| James Kevin | Degree, Quantity Surveying, Excalom | Cowley HS |
| Faith | Degree, Police, GMP | Hawkley Hall HS |
| Freddie Lee | Degree, Engineering, Richter Engineers | St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS |
| Christina | Degree, Engineering & Design | St. John Fisher RCHS |
| Ella Hannah | Degree, Electrical Engineering, Sellafield | St. Ambrose Barlow RCHS |
| Millicent | Degree, Data Analyst, Barclays Bank | Byrchall HS |
| Connor Joseph | Degree, Accountancy, JP Morgan | Outwood Grange Haydock |
| Benjamin Adam | Degree, Quantity Surveying, Pushman and Wakefield. | Culcheth HS |
| Madison-Ceri | Degree, Professional Policing, Greater Manchester Police | Our Lady's RCHS, Skelmersdale |
| Grace | Degree , Remap | St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS |
| Alice | Apprenticeship working for a Charity that helps disadvantaged children | Bridgewater HS, Worsley |
| Sam | Level 7, BDO Taxation Professional | Culcheth HS |
| Callum James | Level 4, Assistant Accountant, EKW Group | Outwood Grange Hindley |
| Evie | Level 3, Business Administration, National Nuclear Laboratory | Upholland HS |
Apprenticeships Role of Honour 2023
| Student | Destination | School |
| Abernethy, Jordan | Police Constable degree apprenticeship with Greater Manchester Police | Hawkley Hall HS |
| Aggrey, Emma Essiwaah | SECURED Degree-apprenticeship in Chemistry with United Utilities | Ormskirk School |
| Ainsworth, Tom | SECURED Apprenticeship ATT Level 3 in Accountancy with Harman Technology, Knutsford | Bedford HS |
| Armstrong, Jamie | Apprenticeship Wigan Council in Business Analytics for housing department. | Standish HS |
| Ashcroft, Jack | Software Engineering apprenticeship with Barclays | Shevington HS |
| Barnes, Caitlin | Level 4 Commercial apprenticeship with Aggregate industries - Sales Executive | Golborne HS |
| Barton, Dominic | Food technology apprenticeship with Bakkavor | St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS |
| Bass-Heatley, april | Digital marketing apprenticeship with Sedexo creating content for Wigan, Blackburn and Preston football clubs with a view to work on Everton's new stadium | Standish HS |
| Callaghan, Matthew Harry | Degree Apprenticeship with Porsche in Slough | Cansfield HS |
| Chadwick, Tilly | Tax Compliance and accounting with PWC - Level 4 | Byrchall HS |
| Clay, Thomas | Level 4 Apprenticeship with AJ Bell | Kings Leadership Academy |
| Court, Louie | Accountancy apprenticeship with Churchill's Support Services | Hawkley Hall HS |
| Darroch, Amy | Audit Apprenticeship, Level 7 chartered accountant with Grant Thorton | Deanery HS |
| Davis, Anna | Clinical Psychologist with NHS | Birchwood Community School |
| Diggins, Thomas Ray | Level 3 Optical Advisor at Specsavers | |
| Francis, Charlotte Kaitlyn | Engineering apprenticeship with Bakkavor | Standish HS |
| Gaskell, Elliott James | BAE Degree Apprenticeship in Digital Analytics | Hawkley Hall HS |
| Green, Layton James | Level 3 Accountancy apprenticeship with P.A. Hull & Co. SECURED | Outwood Grange Hindley |
| Heaton, Darcy | Dental Nurse Apprenticeship | Ormskirk School |
| Hillan, Chris | Apprenticeship Engineer Level 3 - Jungheinrich (Forklifts) | Fred Longworth HS |
| Hilton, luca | Apprenticeship with Wigan Council Administ and Finance | Standish HS |
| Hilton, Sofia | Apprenticeship | Co-op Academy Walkden |
| Hunter, Charlie | SECURED degree-apprenticeship as Data Analyst with Netacea | Fred Longworth HS |
| Hunter, Eva | PDCA - Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship | Hawkley Hall HS |
| Johnson, Harry | Investment Operations apprenticeship with AJ Bell | Bedford HS |
| Jones, Tyler | Sales Executive Apprenticeship - Britplas Level 4 | Byrchall HS |
| Kay, Hannah | Tax Consulting Degree Apprenticeship with Deloitte | Great Sankey HS |
| Keogh-Coop, Chloe | Apprenticeship at Nursery Nurse at Ducklands Day Nursery | Golborne HS |
| Knowles, Robert | Tax Consulting Degree Apprenticeship with Deloitte | St. Bede's RCHS |
| Lamble, Reece Lamble | Roofing Apprenticeship - Fulwood Roofing Services Northen Ltd. | St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS |
| Lanyon, Amelia | Customer Service Assistant, Apprenticeship, Rutter Green Estatae Agents | Standish HS |
| Lavin, Jessica | Degree-apprenticeship with B.A.E. in Air Digital and Technology Solutions Data Analysis | Byrchall HS |
| Lee, Amelia | Operations specialist apprenticeship with AJ Bell | Birchwood Community School |
| Liggat, Tom | Apprenticeship with NFG - Mechanical and Design Engineering | St. Bede's RCHS |
| Lightbown, Lucy Abigail | Sustainability apprentice for TransPenine Express | St. Joseph's RCHS, Horwich |
| Linsner, Megan | Passport Office Degree Apprenticeship with Home Office secured | Kirkby HS |
| Martin, Larissa | Trainee Lab Technician with Gentronix Sponsored Degree | St. Peter's RCHS |
| Maunder, Tom | Police Constable degree apprenticeship, University of Salford | Outwood Grange Hindley |
| Mcconville, Frankie | SECURED Degree apprenticeship in Digital and Technology Solutions with Barclay's | Hawkley Hall HS |
| Mcguire, Molly | Degree Apprenticeship with BAM Construction | Standish HS |
| Naughalty, Oliver | Technology degree apprenticeship with Barclays, confirmed | Kings Leadership Academy |
| Nuttie, Tony Jay | EDP Level 6 Apprenticeship in Building Services and Design | Cansfield HS |
| Parry, Paul | Environmental Practioner degree apprenticeship with "Amey" | St. Bede's RCHS |
| Percival, Ben | Audit and assurance apprentice with Champion | Culcheth HS |
| Ponsillo, ollie | Level 2 Apprenticeship in Finance and Accountancy with Peninsula, Manchester. | St. Mary's RCHS, Leigh |
| Porter, Eva | Digital Production with Channel 4 | Bolton School |
| Prescott, Ella | Degree apprenticeship in data analytics with Lloyds Banking Group | St. Bede's RCHS |
| Pytel, Emilia | Police Constable degree apprenticeship with Greater Manchester Police | Bedford HS |
| Ramejkis, Harrison Mackenzie | Level 4 Sports Coaching with Educationwise Academy secured | Upholland HS |
| Rathbone, Ben | Level 4 Investment operations specialist with AJ Bell | St. Bede's RCHS |
| Reid, Peter | SECURED Degree apprenticeship in Qunatity Surveying with Longworth Building Services | St. Peter's RCHS |
| Rowlett, Beth | Recruitment/ digital marketing with Higher Group/ DMT | Co-op Academy Walkden |
| Royle, Kobi | Degree Apprenticeship with Barclays Bank operations | Co-op Academy Walkden |
| Sanchez, Eva | Graphic Design Apprenticeship | St. Bede's RCHS |
| Saunders, Tom | SECURED Level 3 Civil Engineering apprenticeship with Mott MacDonald | Birchwood Community School |
| Seyi, Jesse | Secured a degree apprenticeship with Manchester City Council as an Integration Developer | Other |
| Shuttleworth, Ollie | Degree apprenticeship with PWC in Manchester | Hawkley Hall HS |
| Sinclair, Elizabeth Hannah | SECURED Apprenticeship (Level 3) in Pensions Administration at First Actuarial | St. Mary's RCHS, Leigh |
| Swift, Ellie | Digital Marketing apprenticeship in the NHS | St. Peter's RCHS |
| Taberner, Aaron | Level 2 progressing onto Level 7 Apprenticeship with Caroola group in Accountancy | Bedford HS |
| Unsworth, Will | Apprenticeship with Amazon | Hawkley Hall HS |
| White, Charlie | Quantity Surveying degree apprenticeship with Dalkia | Outwood Grange Hindley |
| Wilson, Dom | Level 3 apprenticeship in Digital Engineering | Our Lady's RCHS, Skelmersdale |
| Woods, Oliver | Apprenticeship with Vialto - as a global mobility partner | St. Peter's RCHS |
Seeking Employment
Seeking Employment
After two years of study, some students are ready for the world of work. Employment is also an opportunity to experience certain professions before embarking on further studies. We can help and support you at Winstanley.
Our AEP programme also provides workshops which will prepare students to represent themselves professionally. Our Work Experience Coordinator is also available for employment searches. All students can self-refer if they need support with the following.
- finding the right career for you
- how to write a CV and cover letter
- interview advice and MOCK interview practice
The following resources will also help you.
Not Going To Uni: Apprenticeships & Work Experience in the UK
Taking a gap year
Taking a gap year
A gap year usually means taking a year out in between your studies, often at age 18 and after Level 3 qualifications such as A-levels. There are lots of things you could do in a gap year like travelling, working or volunteering.
Some people apply and get a place at university and then ask for their place to be deferred so that they can take a gap year. You will need to Request a deferred place when you apply:
Defered Entry To University | UCAS
A gap year can offer a great opportunity to develop personal and employability skills or to get experience working in a job area of interest or to meet people from different cultures. Also, some people use their gap year to confirm what sort of job or career they are interested in before they choose their next step.
There are companies which will help you plan your gap year. If you want the experience of a gap year to help you plan your future career or want to use it to show potential employers' evidence of your skills or independence, then try and make sure you balance the fun elements with developing useful skills for the future. Make sure to sell what you have learned through the experience of a gap year in your applications for jobs and courses.
Make an appointment with the Careers Hub Team if you would like to discuss various options within a one to one. There are all sorts of considerations when taking a gap year. The following can help you make that decision.
Volunteer Abroad with Plan My Gap Year | #1 Most Affordable Programs
Gap year travel - Approved gap year providers - Gap year advice (yearoutgroup.org)
