Future careers & progression

Supporting your progression

The WEA are Matrix accredited. This means we can give information and advice to all current and potential learners. Be it training and development, climbing the career ladder of success, or being a jobseeker for the first time in a long time, we are here to help.

We aim to support you to achieve your aspirations and career progression, and help you to reach your goals relating to one (or more) of the following:

applying for work,
a new career, or a future career,
working out your interests, skills and aspirations,
improving your soft skills,
applying for university or college,
apprenticeships,
progression to other courses,
promotion at work or personal,
enhancing your employability, and
professional development.

It isn’t always easy to know where to go for information, advice or guidance.

If you are already learning with the WEA, you may be able to talk to your tutor about next steps. Or, please contact our Support services team for information.

We are not able to provide guidance, but can point learners to the National Careers Service for that guidance.

The National Careers Service

A good place to start. Explore your career options on their website, or speak to a careers adviser or coach on the phone.

National Careers Service
0800 100 900

They support individuals with:

planning and choosing a career,
finding the right courses and learning support for your circumstances,
finding employment,
career development,
understanding employability skills and the labour market,
developing  your CV,
developing job searching skills, and
advice and signposting to other professional organisations that can help you.

Exploring your career ideas

Here are some links that can help you in finding more about what you like or dislike about a job. The assessments explore your skills, interests and motivations. The assessments can generate some career ideas, or inspire you to start climbing the ladder in your current role.

Useful resources

Some other sites you may find useful:

Careers Box
The national careers film library, shows hundreds of real people doing real jobs.

Prospects
Help to guide learners and graduates with information, advice and opportunities.

Apprenticeships 
Information on apprenticeships and current apprenticeship vacancies.

CV writing resources
Searching or applying for that dream job. apprenticeships or work experience placement, will in most cases require you to have an up-to-date CV, complete an online application form and then to attend an interview. This can be a stressful process (especially if you have not had to have one before).

Barclays Lifeskills CV writing

Looking for work, applying for jobs and interviews, or volunteering

Looking for work or an apprenticeship takes time. Navigating the job market is tricky. Within this section are websites that advertise job opportunities and also some useful resources to help you look for job opportunities in areas of work you are interested in. Volunteering can also be a route into employment.