Career Academies
What is a Career Academy?
The Career Academy is a national scheme. It comprises of a two year programme for selected 16-19 year old students, and is supported by some of the biggest names in British business. It links academic study with employment, allowing students to broaden their future education and career choices. NULC launched its first Career Academy, focusing on the Finance sector, in September 2010. We now have three Career Academies in total including:
- Business and Finance
Health and Social Care
STEM (Science and Maths)
NULC, Career Academy and Your Business
Around the UK, 3,000 employee volunteers from over 700 organisations contribute time and skills to the Career Academy programme. Some volunteers have a long history of working in business; others have just graduated from university. All enjoy the company of young people and genuinely want to support and guide them by sharing their knowledge and experience. We would like local businesses to help support us and our students in making the academy successful for our students.
What qualifications do Career Academy students achieve?
The students on the Career Academy scheme achieve recognised qualifications that are equivalent to three A Levels, the Advanced Diploma or a combination of other national qualifications that enable students to progress onto Higher Education or into employment.
What are the benefits of the programme to businesses?
Being a part of the Career Academy Programme shows employers supporting the local community and preparing young people for university and employment. It can help you recruit exceptionally well motivated young staff to hard-to-fill and is an excellent networking opportunity.
How can my business get involved?
Businesses can get involved in supporting students during their Career Academy programme in a number of ways. Some supporting employers offer one volunteer for just a couple of hours a year, while others embed the programme company-wide. For example, you or your colleagues might like to:
- mentor a student
- give ‘inspirational talks’ to students
- host a tour of your workplace
- provide an internship placement
- join the NULC Career Academy Advisory Board
- host a reunion for our Alumni Association
Below is an 'Opportunities for Involvement' downloadable document. You will see there are various ways that you can get involved based on how much time and resources you have available to give to the new, innovative project.
National brands involved in the Career Academies project include BP, Adecco, BBC, BUPA, DHL and KPMG.
Want to find out more?
For more information about the national Career Academies visit www.careeracademies.org.uk or email Sunder Sanghera, Career Academies Co-ordinator - sunder.sanghera@nulc.ac.uk