1 of 28

Next Step Evening

Baron Miles and Louise Postill

2 of 28

The Context

The decisions students make in Year 12 are important — but they are not irreversible.

Students today may:

  • Work in jobs that do not yet exist
  • Change careers multiple times
  • Need to continually develop new skills
  • Combine different types of work and learning

The goal:

“Helping students make informed decisions based on their strengths, interests, opportunities and future ambitions.”

3 of 28

Shifting Job Market

“What jobs will exist in 2040 that do not exist today?”

  • AI Prompt Engineer
  • Sustainability Consultant
  • Drone Operator
  • Virtual Reality Designer
  • Robotics Technician
  • Data Ethics Specialist
  • Renewable Energy Engineer
  • Cyber Security Analyst

4 of 28

Growth areas over the next decade

According to labour market forecasts from organisations including the World Economic Forum and UK labour market analysis:

5 of 28

Skills Matter More Than Ever

The World Economic Forum identifies skills �such as:

Growing in importance:�✓ Creativity�✓ Collaboration�✓ Communication�✓ Critical Thinking and Problem solving�✓ Resilience�✓ Flexibility�✓ Leadership�✓ AI literacy

“If two candidates apply for a job and both have the same degree, what makes one stand out?”

Experience + skills + evidence.

6 of 28

The question has changed…

❌ “What job do you want to do?”✅ “What problems do you want to solve?”�✅ “What environments help you thrive?”�✅ “What skills do you want to develop?”�✅ “What industries interest you?”�✅ “What experiences can you gain?”

Student interested in: Sport

  • Sports scientist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Nutritionist
  • Marketing Manager
  • Sports Journalist
  • Data analyst
  • Events Manager
  • Coach
  • Sports Technology Entrepreneur

7 of 28

Understanding the Labour Market

1. Future demand

Questions:

  • Is this industry growing?
  • Are there skills shortages?
  • What opportunities exist?

Useful websites:

National Careers Service

Prospects Career Profiles

2. Salary and progression

Students should consider:

  • Starting salary
  • Long-term earning potential
  • Training routes
  • Work-life balance
  • Location opportunities

Important:�Salary should be one factor, not the only factor.

Students should research:

8 of 28

Understanding the Labour Market

The old model:�School → University → Job → Same company → Retirement

The modern model:�School → Learning → Work → Reskill → Change sector → Further learning

9 of 28

Understanding the Labour Market

A student might think: “I don’t want to work in healthcare because I don’t want to be a doctor or nurse.”

But healthcare needs:

  • Engineers
  • IT specialists
  • Accountants
  • Lawyers
  • Designers
  • Project managers
  • Researchers
  • Communications specialists

10 of 28

Current Shortages

  • Engineers
  • Construction specialists
  • Healthcare professionals
  • Digital specialists
  • Skilled trades
  • Teachers
  • Scientists

“A shortage means opportunity. Where employers struggle to find people, career opportunities often increase.”

❌ “What job should I choose?”✅ “Can I keep learning and adapting?”

11 of 28

Dorset Key Sectors

12 of 28

Where Next?

Please note: Gap Year is a deferred entry

13 of 28

Support and Evidence Building

  • Aspirations Employability Diploma
  • HE Day
  • Next Step Day 29th June 2026
  • Continuing support for University and Career Applications September onwards
  • EPQ
  • Visit University Open Days

14 of 28

Qualifications

RQF Level (England/NI/Wales)

Academic Equivalents

Vocational / NVQ Equivalents

Level 8

PhD / Doctoral Degree

Level 8 Diploma / Specialist Awards

Level 7

Master’s Degree, PGCE, Postgrad Diploma

Level 7 NVQ Diploma / Senior Management

Level 6

Bachelor's Degree with Honours

Level 6 NVQ Diploma / Degree Apprenticeship

Level 5

Foundation Degree, DipHE, HND

Level 5 NVQ Diploma / Higher Apprenticeship

Level 4

Higher National Certificate (HNC), CertHE

Level 4 NVQ Diploma

Level 3

A-Levels, T-Levels, International Baccalaureate

Level 3 NVQ, BTEC National, Advanced Apprenticeship

15 of 28

University

Option 1: University

  • Enjoy academic study
  • Need a degree for their career
  • Want specialist knowledge

Examples:

  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Engineering
  • Teaching
  • Psychology

Consider:

  • Course content
  • Entry requirements
  • Location
  • Placement opportunities
  • Graduate outcomes

16 of 28

University - Gap Year

17 of 28

Degree Apprenticeships

Earn + Learn

Students:� ✓ Work for an employer� ✓ Gain qualifications� ✓ Develop workplace skills� ✓ Earn a salary

BT�Leonardo �Red Bull

Careers at sea

NHS

Airbus�DC �AAT�PwC�Rolls Royce

JP Morgan

18 of 28

Employment with Training

Not every career requires university.

  • Digital marketing
  • Sales
  • Creative industries
  • Hospitality management
  • Business administration
  • Technical roles

Students should investigate: “What progression opportunities exist?”

A first job is often the start of a career pathway.

19 of 28

Degree Alternatives

Students can also consider:

  • Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
  • Foundation degrees
  • Professional qualifications
  • College courses
  • Industry certifications

Technology:

  • Coding qualifications
  • Cybersecurity certificates

Business:

  • Accounting qualifications

Creative:

  • Portfolio-based routes

20 of 28

Timeline

Summer Term� ✓ Explore careers� ✓ Attend university open days� ✓ Research apprenticeships� ✓ Build experience

Autumn Term Year 13� ✓ Finalise choices� ✓ Apply through UCAS� ✓ Oxbridge/Medicine Deadline (15/10/26)� ✓ Apply for apprenticeships� ✓ Complete personal statements/interviews

Spring/Summer Year 13� ✓ Make decisions� ✓ Prepare transition� ✓ Continue to develop employability skills

21 of 28

Parental Support

✅ Ask questions “Why does this option interest you?”�✅ Encourage exploration “Have you looked at alternatives?”�✅ Help research�✅ Connect students with people�✅ Encourage work experience

“The Future Career Conversation”

  1. What are your strengths?
  2. What type of work environment suits you?
  3. Do you have a purpose?
  4. Which industries interest you?
  5. What options have you researched?
  6. What experience could you gain this year?

22 of 28

Personal Statement and Updated CV

Dedicated time�Designed sessions�Next Step Day

  • Why do you want to study this course or subject?
  • How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
  • What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

23 of 28

Apprenticeship Newsletters

24 of 28

Open Days

  • Check University websites
  • Open Days for 2027 entry are starting now.

25 of 28

UCAS Apply

  • Online application
  • Be sure to use all five course options
  • Places allocated from October
  • £34.50 fee
  • Buzzword: nextstep2027
  • Apprenticeships
  • UCAS: How to...

www.ucas.com

26 of 28

Admission Tests

BMAT - Medicine

UKCAT - Medicine

LNAT - Law

STEP - Maths

Oxbridge have a variety of

tests for their courses ��There are other tests, including auditions for Performing Arts. Students should read UCAS information carefully.

27 of 28

Postgraduate Funding

  • Future Teaching Scholars Programme.
  • Maths or Physics who would like to train to become a teacher.
  • The students get funding throughout their training
  • https://www.futureteachingscholars.com

28 of 28

Questions?

Please ask any big questions now.

Super specific questions at the end.