Careers Leader - Ali Grady

ali.grady@coopacademies.co.uk
0161 231 9200

Director of Next Steps - Erin Rosenberg

erin.rosenberg@coopacademies.co.uk
0161 231 9200

Destinations Manager - Sharon Jones

sharon.jones@coopacademies.co.uk
0161 231 9200

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If you're interested in supporting our careers and enterprise activity (employer encounter, workplace experiences, inspirational talks, etc) then please get in touch with Ali.

When you start at Connell, we encourage you to look into opportunities offered by universities and consider carefully the options available. We have good links with a variety of Higher Education institutions in the North West and beyond, which you’re invited to visit in order to get a taste of university life.

We regularly host events that university academic staff and students attend. They come and give talks ranging from subject-specific to future career possibilities; from how to be a good student to managing student finances.

You’ll be introduced to university widening participation programmes such as the Pembroke North Initiative and Manchester Access Programme, which select aspiring students from backgrounds in which university hasn't been considered an option. Students are provided an illuminating programme of seminars, lectures and a taste of what it's like to study at a world-class university such as Oxford or Manchester.

When it comes to applying to university, our staff will guide you and support you to make the right choices, helping to complete your application to the best of your ability and preparing you for university interviews. If your pathway is to go to university, staff will give you all the help and advice you need to set you on your way.

Apprenticeships offer work-based experience, whilst including an element of study alongside work. Talks from companies and agents at our careers fairs are an excellent way for you to become informed about what's on offer.

Apprenticeships vary in what they offer. We have established links with apprenticeship provider companies and agencies, so that students can understand what options are available.

All students think about their future jobs and careers, and see their education as an important way of preparing for these. Whilst many see Higher Education as the next important step towards achieving their career goals and others choose to embark on apprenticeships, for some students, a job is their next step after completing A Levels or BTECs.

Much of the knowledge and many of the skills gained with these qualifications can be transferred to a variety of careers.

However, sometimes a lot of adjustments need to be made between college and workplace life. This is why our students follow a full programme of CEIAG (Careers, Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) alongside their subject studies. This course encourages you to think carefully about all aspects of your future and advises you on how to make the right decisions for your next step.

We have established links with careers services and employers to provide advice and opportunities for students to go on work experience placements. Students who find work experience quickly learn important skills such as good timekeeping, working with others and dealing with difficult situations.

We measure and assess the impact of the careers programme using questionnaires and Compass to track against the Gatsby Benchmarks.

You can read our Next Steps information below. It contains useful information for parents and students about next steps, UCAS applications and personal statement writing.

If you are an employer or alumni and would like to find out how you can support our careers programme, please get in touch by emailing Ali Grady, ali.grady@coopacademies.co.uk.

• CEIAG Programme
• CEIAG Destination Data Framework
• CEIAG Provider Access Legislation

• UCAS
• IntoUniversity
• GMACS
• Local Labour Market Information
• Career Ready
• GM Higher
• icould
• Bridge GM