Your careers programme

Depending on your school and individual circumstances, you may have opportunities to meet our school liaison and admissions teams throughout your last two years of school through a variety of different activities, including open events and taster sessions at college, careers and progression events at school, school assemblies, application support, advice and further transition activities, including an informed interview / session with the curriculum team. For full details on your application journey, please click here.

For older applicants, you'll have the opportunity to attend open events, receive specific application support and advice, as well as attend transitional activities such as taster experiences or an interview / information session for your course with the curriculum team. Specific transitional activities are planned for those who have been homeschooled or with SEND.

Following a review of your application, our admissions team help ensure that you've applied for the right course based on your age, intended career, ambitions and previous education history.

All members of the public can use our 24/7 career coach facility, book and attend a virtual career coaching session or contact our admissions team for further advice on their next steps.

Your first few weeks are about getting settled into college. We begin to focus on your careers education through your curriculum induction, which will cover an introduction of your whole study programme and how it relates to your career plan, an introduction to work placement and your career support with the work placement and careers coordinator and a review of your strengths and aspirations through the About Me section on the student portal.

The admissions team are available to support if you do not feel as if your course is right for you, offering a "Swap, Don't Drop" programme to review alternative courses with you when capacity allows.

Your careers education continues throughout your time at CWA, with opportunities to explore different career pathways, develop your employability skills and gain valuable experience of the world of work.

We work with a wide range of employers, charities, public sector organisations and higher education providers to offer careers events, employer or higher education talks, industry visits and other opportunities across our campuses.

These activities give you the opportunity to meet industry professionals, explore different careers, understand employer expectations and reflect on how these experiences might influence your future plans.

At CWA, to fully embed our "Careers, not Courses" ethos, we expect all learners on a full-time study programme to either complete a meaningful work placement (of at least 60 hours) or take part in a work or higher education readiness programme as part of their course. For further details on our commitment to offer meaningful work placement opportunities, [link being added].

You'll gain access to Unifrog, our careers and progression platform, which provides resources and activities to support your career development.

Through Unifrog, you'll be able to explore careers and progression opportunities, complete activities to help you understand your interests and strengths, reflect on employer encounters and workplace experiences and access resources to support applications for employment, apprenticeships and higher education.

Alongside these opportunities, our careers team are available to provide impartial, personalised guidance whenever you need additional support with your future plans.

As you approach the end of your study programme or your time at CWA, we'll support you in exploring your options, making informed decisions and preparing for your next steps, whether that's further study, higher education, an apprenticeship or employment.

Higher education and university

We are committed to raising aspirations and promoting higher education through our partnership with neaco.

If you're planning to progress into higher education, you'll take part in a higher education readiness programme during the first term of your final year at college. This covers exploring your options, researching courses and universities, preparing your personal statement responses and completing your UCAS application.

Throughout the year, universities and higher education providers also visit CWA to deliver talks and workshops covering everything from subject-specific opportunities to student finance, applications and university life. You'll also be able to access university-led webinars on Unifrog. Our Higher Education Champion and wider careers team can provide tailored support, including reviewing your application, personal statement and helping you identify suitable university and course choices.

Planning your progression

During the first or second term, you'll be asked to share your plans for the following academic year through the student portal.

If you're planning to continue studying at CWA, we'll automatically create an application for your next course. If you're unsure about your options, you'll be able to book a one-to-one meeting with our admissions or careers teams to explore your interests, ambitions and available pathways.

During your study programme, you'll have at least two one-to-one meetings with your work placement and careers coordinator to discuss your progress, aspirations and next steps. Alongside these opportunities, our careers team are available to provide impartial, personalised guidance whenever you need additional support with your future plans.

Through Unifrog, you'll be able to explore further education and training opportunities, research apprenticeships and access resources to support your applications. We also share relevant employment opportunities through a dedicated student Padlet, helping you discover vacancies and opportunities as you prepare to leave college.

Our Additional Learning Support team and dedicated work placement and careers coordinators for learners with high needs or Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), will offer tailored progression support through EHCP reviews or guidance meetings.

Your career development doesn't stop when you leave college. Whether you're progressing into employment, an apprenticeship, university or further study, we'll continue to support you as you take your next steps.

As you approach the end of your course, we'll contact you to confirm your intended destination and reflect on how your plans have developed throughout your time at CWA.

During the year following your departure, we'll get back in touch to find out what you've been doing and whether you've progressed into employment, an apprenticeship, university or further study.

This is also an opportunity for you to reflect on your experiences at CWA, the skills and knowledge you've developed and how these have helped you progress.

The information you share helps us understand the impact of our careers programme, celebrate student achievements and identify improvements to our courses, careers education and support services. With your permission, we may also share your success story to inspire future students.

Even after you've left CWA, you can continue to access impartial careers guidance through our monthly virtual careers coaching sessions.

You can also join our Alumni Network to stay connected with the college, share your experiences and discover opportunities to get involved.

Ensure students with additional needs are assessed prior to starting or during their studies to ensure appropriate support is provided to enable the student to be successful in their studies.

Help with advising prospective students about the courses we offer and supporting them through the admissions process to enrol onto the right course

Provide impartial, tailored one-to-one and group CEIAG as required.

Supports students to consider higher education as an option for their future career plan and supports students to make successful UCAS applications.

Help students at risk of not completing or achieving on their course to access appropriate internal and external support.

Support vocational, A level and apprenticeship teaching, assessment and learning with relevant links to careers and labour market information.

Support students into meaningful work experience placements and provide impartial CEIAG to students during the academic year