Leeds College of Building is committed to offering all students and prospective students (applicants) an effective and impartial programme of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). Our aim is to support students in making choices which will suit their interests and abilities, sustain their personal and employability development over time and enhance their life chances. Further information is found in our Careers and Employability statement.

To help meet this commitment, we have developed the following Student Careers Entitlement modelled around the best practice for careers guidance and the eight Gatsby benchmarks developed by the Gatsby Foundation.

A stable careers programme

  • A careers calendar offering a range of career focussed activities across the year can be accessed via the website by students, parents, staff, and employers
  • Students can receive careers advice and guidance from a Student Experience Team which comprises of a Level 6 qualified Careers Advice & Guidance Manager, a Level 6 Careers Advisor, and a team of Progress Coaches
  • The careers programme is regularly reviewed taking into consideration feedback from students, staff, parents, and employers

Learning from career and labour market information

  • Students and parents can access career path and labour market information via the college website that can assist in making study option decisions.
  • External links to Go Construct and Future Goals websites are accessible via the college website.
  • A careers A – Z directory is featured on the college website, and each course provides information on what students can do after the course.
  • Range of media is used to encourage students to consider their career options, including social media, Microsoft Teams groups, emails, and posters
  • Parents evenings take place across the academic year, with Career and IAG qualified staff present
  • Strong links with local employers, Leeds IAG Network, and National Careers Service to present current, labour market information during careers month

Addressing the needs of each pupil 

  • Students can access support at various stages of their learning journey from a range of different teams who offer a specialist service, including Inclusive Learning / SEND team, Progress Coaches, Safeguarding team, Employability Officers, ESOL tutors
  • External links are in place with Scope and Leeds Employment and Skills Hub who offer specialist employability programmes
  • An Equality, Inclusion and Safeguarding Team support students within college
  • International Women’s Week Taster classes are available to book onto each year

Linking curriculum learning to careers 

  • Every student through their programme of study will have the opportunity to experience how their subject will link to a range of occupations
  • Tutors will link their subject with various careers throughout the programme of study
  • Guest speakers, motivational presentations, local employer talks take place throughout the year
  • Study programmes reflect the importance of Maths and English
  • Employability tutorials and careers activities to promote curriculum links with occupations

Encounters with employers and employees 

  • Each student will get the opportunity to participate in at least two meaningful encounters with an employer 
  • Ambassadors from local employers invited in to present and meet students 
  • Employer talks regularly arranged by careers team, tutors, and work placement officers 
  • On-site visits arranged  
  • Mock Interviews with local employers 

Experiences of workplaces

  • Students have access to a Work Placement Officer who work with employers to arrange work placements for students 
  • Curriculum arranged visits to workplaces linked to the area of study

Encounters with further and higher education

  • LCB is part of the UniConnect project encouraging students to consider higher education opportunities. 2 dedicated staff members arranging events, activities, visits, and presentation working in a collaboration of FE and HE providers across the region
  • Apprenticeship information and guidance offered through Leeds Apprenticeship Hub and Ask Partnership to ensure all students are made aware of the different routes into Higher Education
  • Academic and vocational routes are explained by subject tutors, work placement team, and careers advisor, sharing guidance about the different ways to continue learning in colleges, universities, and in the workplace
  • Apprenticeship talks and Q&A sessions with current apprentices
  • University speakers and student ambassadors invited in to meet with students
  • Tutor arranged visits to local HE providers
  • UCAS resources, talks, webinars, and events are actively shared and promoted across social media, Teams groups, email, and via tutor groups
  • Careers Advisor offers dedicated 121 support when considering HE, and applying via UCAS
  • Links with IntoUniversity to support in delivering workshops about HE options

Personal guidance

  • A qualified level 6 Careers Advisor available five days a week to offer informed and impartial personal guidance appointments
  • Progress Coaches available five days a week for personal guidance support
  • Progression and Next Steps tutorial delivered by Progress Coaches and Careers Advisor to every study group
  • Students can access a careers Teams folder with various guides, information leaflets, top tips, and external provider list for specialist support
  • Students can self-refer, arrange an appointment, email, or drop into the Student Experience Team
  • Staff can refer individual students via email
  • External employability support provided by Scope and National Careers Service

Find out more information on the support we provide for parents, carers and employers here.