There are a variety of opportunities to explore when considering what step to take towards your future career, including full-time courses, part-time courses, degree-level courses and apprenticeships!
Career guidance for students
The college offers information, advice, and guidance to help students plan their next steps.
This includes:
- Your Bright Future website with information & advice about opportunities, making a decision, putting plans into action, and an online jobs board
- Group tutorials covering careers, job & university applications and money management
- Information & resources for parents
- Individual support for career decisions, CVs, applications, personal statements & interviews is available from Student Experience & Progression Officers
- Guest speakers from industry and universities
- Trips to employers and universities
Career plan, strategy & policy
> Careers Policy (Word)
> Careers Strategy (Word)
Careers, information, advice & guidance programme calendar
Our careers programme aims to ensure every learner can access information, advice and guidance to support their next steps. We believe that the programme below will support our learners in developing the right skills, knowledge, and behaviours that will allow them to achieve their future career goals.
> Download our Careers Calendar (PDF)
Making the decision
We understand that making decisions about your future can be challenging. Below are useful careers websites; our helpful Careers & Student Experience Team are always on hand to discuss your options.
t 01539 814719
Our events offer a great way to explore what’s available and find the best match for you.
Useful careers websites
Inspira
> inspira.org.uk
Inspira offers free, impartial career advice to young people and adults. Book a chat with them here.
Your Bright Future
> yourbrightfuture.kendal.ac.uk
A website dedicated to your next step! It also includes a local jobs board.
Start Profile
> startprofile.com
> Start Profile for Cumbria
A free national website that covers all the stages of career planning - explore your skills & interests, see suggested careers and find relevant courses, apprenticeships and jobs close to where you live.
Prospects
> prospects.ac.uk/planner
Answer questions about what you find interesting, and they'll match you with job groups containing more than 400 job profiles.
National Careers Website
> nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
This site includes a range of job profiles, employability tools and career advice.
Amazing Apprenticeships
> amazingapprenticeships.com
Tackle misconceptions about apprenticeships and technical education, promotes their benefits and explains what each sector can do
Apprenticeships
> apprenticeships.gov.uk
Earn while you learn with an apprenticeship.
Careers support for schools
We offer a range of free careers services to schools, including:
- Assemblies & workshops on post-16 and post-18 options
- Attendance at careers fairs
- Mock interview support
- Taster days & visits
For more information, please contact us.
t 01539 814700
e schools@kendal.ac.uk
Parent/carer/guardian careers information
We understand that supporting your young person through their education and into the job market can feel overwhelming. There are many progression routes, and the job market constantly changes, making it difficult to navigate.
How We Support Your Child at Kendal College
At Kendal College, our dedicated Careers & Student Experience Team support every student to help them:
- Explore future career pathways linked to their course, strengths, and interests
- Access valuable work experience and industry placements with local and regional employers
- Prepare for their next steps - whether that’s employment, apprenticeships, or university
- Develop essential employability skills, including communication, teamwork, and resilience
- Receive personalised, impartial one‑to‑one careers guidance
As our Careers Programme outlines, we offer support from the beginning. This includes taking that first step and deciding on what course to study, right through to deciding on what to do when your young person has finished their programme of study with us.
We work in close partnership with employers, apprenticeship providers, universities, and community organisations across South Cumbria and beyond to ensure our students are connected to real, meaningful opportunities that help them move confidently towards their future goals.
Top Tips: How You Can Support Your Child’s Career Journey
Here are some simple, practical ways you can help your child explore their future options, grow in confidence and become more prepared for the world of work.
1. Offer a Conversation
Chat with your child about what they enjoy, what they’re good at and what they picture for their future. Try using open questions such as:
- “What kind of work do you think you’d enjoy?”
- “Have you thought about what you might want to do after college?”
- “Which subjects or activities do you feel most engaged in?”
2. Encourage Exploration
Support them in discovering different career options, apprenticeships, and university routes. Suggest they make use of helpful resources online, such as these links found here. You can also learn more about the different Career Pathways here.
3. Promote Work Experience
Help them look for ways to gain real‑world experience - whether that’s a structured placement, volunteering, or a part‑time job. These opportunities help build confidence and strengthen applications and CVs. You can download a useful CV template here.
4. Support Their Independence
Encourage your child to take the lead in shaping their future, from creating their CV to attending careers events and speaking with employers. Offer guidance when needed, but let them take ownership.
5. Stay Informed and Use our Support
Keep an eye on upcoming college events, careers fairs and employer visits. We’ll share opportunities through our website, newsletters, and social media so you can stay up to date and involved. We also offer virtual ‘Brewing Careers’ events, where you can chat directly with our Careers Team and ask questions about pathways, progression and future opportunities.
Useful Links
We have compiled some useful links below to support you with this process.
Careers Conversations – Your go-to resource for navigating career exploration for your young person.
>https://education.careershubcu...
National Careers Service - Explore different jobs and career advice.
>https://nationalcareers.servic...
UCAS - Different pathways for post-16.
>https://www.ucas.com/further-e...
UCAS - University Advice and guidance.
> https://www.ucas.com/undergrad...
Hello Future - support for parents & carers.
> https://www.hellofuture.ac.uk/...
Start Profile - Explore local labour market information to see what jobs are in demand in Cumbria.
> https://cumbria.startprofile.c...
Talking Futures - A parent's toolkit for career conversations.
> https://www.talkingfutures.org..
‘Kids’ –where all young people have opportunities (SEND)
DFN Project Search
>https://www.dfnprojectsearch.org
Access to work – get support if you have a disability or health condition
>https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
If you would like further information on how you can support your young person on their career journey, please contact our Careers & Student Experience team at careers@kendal.ac.uk .
Careers information for teachers
The Gatsby Benchmarks
The Gatsby Benchmarks are a key component of the government’s careers strategy, which aims to guide schools and colleges in ensuring young people have access to high-quality and impartial career advice.
The eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance are:
We are committed to meeting our statutory obligations regarding CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance), which includes the Gatsby Benchmarks.
We have developed a Careers Programme of activities and events to support young people in making informed career decisions and maximising their progression. We work with various local and national employers, organisations, and universities to provide opportunities across all of our curriculum areas, including careers fairs, guest speakers, work experience, and much more.
If you would like further information on how you can support your young person on their career journey, please contact our Careers & Student Experience team at careers@kendal.ac.uk .
The links below provide more information on the Gatsby Benchmarks and useful resources on how teachers can support young people in making career decisions.
> https://www.gatsby.org.uk/educ...
> https://www.careersandenterpri...
> https://www.careershubcumbria....
