Last week, we celebrated National Careers Week (NCW)—a nationwide initiative dedicated to careers guidance and free educational resources. The goal is to inspire young people and help them explore exciting future pathways.

At NCW, preparing students for life beyond college is a top priority. We provide each student with a tailored programme that focuses on:

• Academic achievement
• Independent living skills
• Extracurricular involvement (both at NCW and in the wider community)

These key areas help build confidence, self-esteem, and essential life skills. Careers guidance and work experience are crucial elements of this programme, ensuring students are well-prepared for the transition into employment or further education.

Work experience plays a vital role in this journey, offering students practical, hands-on experience in real-world settings. Each placement is carefully selected based on the student’s aspirations, skills, and interests, with opportunities available in local businesses, organisations, and specialist settings.

Special Events During National Careers Week

As part of this week’s celebrations, we were delighted to welcome former student Anthony Clements back to NCW to deliver a special assembly. He shared his experiences in the workplace and encouraged students to believe in themselves, demonstrating that vision impairment should never be a barrier to success.

Additionally, Mr. Radford, our Work Experience Coordinator, led discussions with our Year 11 students, introducing them to the concept of work experience and encouraging them to start thinking about potential future placements.

To conclude the week, we welcomed Blind in Business, a valued supporter of NCW. Their team regularly visits the college to share their expertise on accessing employment and higher education with a vision impairment. Our Sixth Form students took part in a session covering interview tips, coping strategies, and practical workplace skills. The morning ended with mock interviews, giving students a valuable opportunity to practice and build confidence for their future careers.

National Careers Week has been an inspiring and insightful experience, helping our students take important steps toward their future goals.