Routes to Vocational Education

Required qualifications

Learners are required to have Entry level 2 or above in maths and English to complete this qualification and ideally will have completed the routes to college course previously.

What skills will I develop?

Learners study an entry level 3 BTEC certificate in vocational studies in which they develop a deeper understanding of vocational areas and an understanding of the career progression routes available to them in their chosen industry. They will begin to develop key employability skills needed for their future careers and can work on self-assessment.

We work alongside our learners to help them develop skills such as teamwork, following instructions and planning tasks, whilst completing vocational units within animal care, horticulture, art, media and hospitality (campus dependent). In addition, this programme encourages learners to work towards building their independence as they will have the opportunity to plan a trip of their choice for their group.

Upon completion of the course learners can progress to the next level of routes courses, routes to independence & employment. Alternatively, if a learner has identified an area of interest regarding a subject specialism, they can progress into the Entry level 3 provisions within mainstream setting to complete a top-up to a diploma and look to progress onto Level 1, 2 and onwards within that subject.

Careers

Within the routes to vocation provision, employment is dependent on the young persons abilities. If they are confident and aspire to gain paid employment that doesn’t have qualification requirements for the role, for example in retail. The college will work with the young person to seek out employment opportunities.

Where qualifications/experience of the learner don’t meet their aspirational employment at this time, within this provision we subscribe to the value of the Gatsby Benchmarks and ensure that these are embedded within the curriculum planning of this provision. This will (where possible) be individualised to the young person’s preference and aspiration for the future.

The 8 key areas are as follows:
1. A stable career’s programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance

Work experience

Learners partake in work experience (WEX) ideally on an individual basis and are encouraged to seek out and complete volunteering opportunities if this is meaningful and suitable. If learners are still lacking confidence or skills, group opportunities will also be sought after.

We also have several employer and volunteering fairs throughout the year, as well as companies and organisations visiting to give talks on opportunities within the local area.

English and maths

Learner dependent. Any learner with an EHCP must strive to achieve progression in their maths and English up to the age of 25.

If a learner is currently working at a functional skill level of Entry level 1 to Level 1, they will complete their maths and English lessons within their ‘routes to’ group. If they have previously achieved a GCSE grade (or that is their next step) learners will be placed in an appropriate GCSE or functional skills level 2 group to assist and support their continued development in maths and English.

Other important information

As we make as much of the programme as possible practical and engaging this means there will be a need for learners to purchase ‘kit’ to help them complete their studies. For example, overalls and steel toe-capped boots for animal care and horticulture practical. We would also expect every learner to come prepared for learning. This means having their own stationary provisions. We also ask for a financial contribution from parents/learners towards trips and visits. All this information will be given to you upon successful application to the course.