Sorry, the publication can not be displayed.

A 10 www.telegraph.co.uk/job Thursday, November 13, 2008 THE DAILY TELEGRAPH APPRENTICESHIPS SPECIAL The Daily Telegraph TOP NOTCH B efore the First World War, career guidance had a bias towards stereotyopes. Certain jobs were male jobs, others female,” says Richard Longson, president of The Institute of Career Guidance (ICG). Founded in 1923 as the National Association of Juvenile Employment Officers, its aim was to help young people make informed choices about work and to set them on a good career path. It was also a trusted port of call for those hoping to embark on a valued apprenticeship. Eighty five years later, the ICG, now the largest — and oldest — professional association for careers practitioners in the UK, is still fulfiling a crucial advisory role, albeit in an altogether more up-to-date manner. “There have been huge changes in the way careers guidance is delivered in recent years,” says Longson. “There is more vocational choice and the selection processes have changed. For instance, today we employ techniques such as psychometric testing to help match people to jobs. The process, developed by AT THE GRAND OLD AGE OF EIGHTY FIVE, WHEN IT COMES TO SETTING PEOPLE UP WITH THE IDEAL JOB, THE INSTITUTE OF CAREER GUIDANCE IS STILL AHEAD OF THE GAME. BY PENELOPE RANCE what they should do,” says Longson. Today, guidance practitioners are trained to challenge preconceived ideas and open up possibilities.” The ICG offers guidance, training and support for careers guidance professionals working for a variety of bodies, whether in schools, private companies or for organisations affiliated to local authorities, such as the Greater Merseyside Connexions Partnership, a career information and guidance service. “Nowadays, we are faced with changing career choices,” says Kieran Gordon, Connexions’ chief executive. “Jobs are disappearing and new occupations are being created. Individuals need to constantly review what they have to do to stay ahead of the game. “Careers guidance gives people a chance to talk through ideas. It focuses on the abilities of the individual and helps them assess these in a way that leads to employment.” “Focusing on good career guidance means people become more engaged in developing skills and moving forward,” says Longson. “The result is a more productive UK economy.” www.icg-uk.org GETTY Modern times: the contemporary approach applied by the Institute of Career Guidance has done much to shed the profession of its once-stuffy image The apprentice engineer A student at a highly academic independent school, Patrick Harvey, 19, from Leicester, was uninspired by his school studies, and felt, quite early on, that the traditional route to university via A-levels would not work for him. Patrick felt that his practical nature was poorly suited to classroom learning, and so he was keen to find an alternative career path . “I remember realising that the academic side of education was not for me,” he recalls. “My careers guidance adviser showed me how I could gain vocational qualifications and still apply to go to university.” Working together, Patrick and his adviser decided that an apprenticeship, coupled with day release at college, was the solution. And the help didn’t dry up once he’d left school: “My adviser continued to guide me throughout my time at college. His support really gave me the confidence to succeed.” Having completed his apprenticeship and gained a BTEC, Patrick is now studying electronic engineering at university. His aim is to move in to electronic systems design. The trainee electrical engineer Nathan Holtby, 16, from Scunthorpe, joined steel giant Corus on their three-year apprenticeship scheme in September this year. The idea of practical learning appealed to him, especially in the field of electrics: “When I was a child, I used to really enjoy helping my dad out doing all the wiring and stuff in the garage.” It was through his local branch of the professional guidance organisation, Connexions, that Nathan found out about Corus. “My school arranged for a careers advice officer to come in, and she talked to me about the careers I was interested in. She then went through the different options open to me — the scheme at Corus was one of them.” Now, a few months in to the scheme, Nathan feels sure that it was the right move for him: “So far, it’s been amazing working for such a big company. We spend our time doing a mix of both practical and theory work, but most of the time it is really hands-on.” Above, the National Association of Juvenile Employment Officers in 1935; below, careers advice Seventies style psychologists, matches an individual’s attributes to a job’s requirements.” Further careers advice is also available online via careers tools such as those offered by Cascaid (www.cascaid. co.uk). With advice for all ages, they offer downloadable skillsassessment packages and careers advice programmes. “Career guidance is now focused on helping an individual find their way on their career journey, rather than telling them A career starting as a trainee officer on commercial ships means • Getting paid while studying and training • Getting the chance to travel at someone else’s expense And once qualified • Time off is measured in weeks and months not days • Life at sea is challenging and rewarding • Responsibility and a salary to match • A lifetime of personal development opportunities! There are education and training schemes available to become either a Navigating (Deck) Officer or an Engineer Officer Navigating (Deck) Officers are responsible for navigating the ship from port to port and the safe handling of the cargo which could be anything from passengers to containers Engineer Officers are responsible for the care and maintenance of the ship a multimillion pound floating city with its engine, machinery and complex technological systems The schemes are fully integrated to include shore based college/ university study and plenty of practical training at sea and are fully sponsored by a company or training organisation. There are schemes to suit all entry levels from GCSE/ Standard Grades to A Levels/ Highers leading to HNC, HND and Degree qualifications. Education WHY APPRENTICESHIPS ARE BACK IN FASHION You’re hired! Extra special THE TRAINING ACADEMY THAT OFFERS A WHOLE LOT MORE sarah hanson Apprenticeships Thursday, November 13, 2008 careers focus The Daily Telegraph jobs.telegraph.co.uk/ca in association with Produced by Telegraph Create Special R THE DAILY TELEGRAPH Thursday, November 13, 2008 www.telegraph.co.uk/job A 9 The Daily Telegraph APPRENTICESHIPS SPECIAL TALKBACK THAMES LEADING THE WAY FORWARD C LEARNING ON THE JOB APPRENTICESHIPS ARE BACK IN FASHION, AND TODAY THERE’S A SURPRISINGLY WIDE RANGE OF CAREER PATHS TO CHOOSE F A 10 www.telegraph.co.uk/job Thursday, November 13, 2008 THE DAILY TELEGRAPH APPRENTICESHIPS SPECIAL The Daily Telegraph TOP NOTCH B efore the First World War, career guidance had a bias towards stereotyopes. Certain jobs were male jobs, others female,” says Richard Longson, president of The