College is about more than gaining qualifications. It’s about discovering what you enjoy, building your confidence and developing the skills and experience that will help you take your next step. Whether you’re aiming for university, an apprenticeship, employment or you’re still deciding, we’re here to help.
As a student with us, you’ll take part in our Careers Programme, designed to help you explore your options, make informed decisions and prepare for a successful future.
Our Careers Team provides free, confidential and impartial advice throughout your time at college. We can support you with:
Throughout your course, you’ll have opportunities to:
These experiences help you understand different career pathways and build the confidence to take your next step.
Stockport College holds the Matrix Standard for the provision of Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG). There are teams of professional, qualified and impartial Advisors available to offer a range of IAG services.
Stockport College is committed to meeting the Gatsby Career Benchmarks Standards of Excellence; ensuring that careers education, information, advice and guidance is designed and delivered to meet the needs of students.
Work experience is an important part of your study programme and a great way to connect your learning to the world of work. It helps you build practical skills, gain industry insight and make informed decisions about your future.
Most students are expected to complete at least 36 hours of work experience during their course.
Work experience can help you:
Employers are looking for more than qualifications. They want people who can communicate, work well with others and solve problems.
During your time at college, you’ll build essential employability skills including:
Whatever your ambitions, our Careers and Work Experience teams are here to support you every step of the way.
Explore opportunities. Build your confidence. Gain real-world experience. Shape your future.
Because your journey doesn’t stop when you complete your course – it’s just getting started.
Good career guidance helps inspire students towards further study and enables them to make informed decisions whenever choices are open to them. It helps them to understand enough about the world of work to know what skills and qualifications they need to succeed. It is critical for social mobility because it helps open students’ eyes to careers they may not have considered.
The Benchmarks for Colleges listed here outline the important elements of a robust career guidance programme, as well as outlining how we at Trafford College meet the benchmark. They have been developed from the Gatsby Benchmarks for good career guidance, following consultation with a range of colleges across England to align them with the needs of the sector.
Embedded within each study programme
Careers Section on our website and information in tutorials
Careers Guidance Team and Tutorials
Programme of Study
Work Experience expectation within programme of study
Work Visits, Work Shadowing, Work Experience, Work Placements
Careers IAG provision, HE fairs, Visits from HE Providers
Careers Guidance is provided for all students
