CAREERS staff have won high praise nationally for inspiring college students to choose a successful path to work.
Darlington College’s careers and guidance team has again be awarded the coveted Matrix Accreditation, a national quality standard for careers guidance.
The team, comprising Andrew Brown and Rebecca Sunley, supported by data and destination specialist Jan Needham and student services manager Julie Davison, deliver hundreds of one-to-one and group sessions for students every year.
Since September 264 individuals have benefited from one-to-one hour-long sessions and 520 students have been seen in groups.
Advice and guidance ranges from higher education to job searching, CV and personal statement writing to UCAS forms. Learners are also taken on university trips and take part in HE events at the college.
Apprenticeship days feature workshops delivered by an external expert who helps students explore fully the apprenticeship route.
Assessors talked to staff, students and external partners during a three-day inspection of the guidance service, which occurs every three years.
Mrs Davison said: “Our team of Level 7 qualified advisors literally spends hours with students offering impartial and expert advice. I am very proud of the work they do on a daily basis and am absolutely delighted that this has been recognised nationally.
“The assessor described the team as ‘ inspirational’ and said they were successful in delivering advice that helped give students aspirations and life readiness. They are passionate about what they do, offering non-judgemental advice that helps students make their own, informed decisions.
“The team was also praised for being so accessible and our students spoke very highly of them saying that they actually helped reduce the levels of stress and anxiety people can face. They are really good with students and we have some ideas to improve the service even further.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.