Derby College Awards Career Mark Gold

Derby College has been awarded the top accreditation for the fourth time in recognition of its consistent quality in providing careers, employability and enterprise advice and guidance for students at its campuses in Derby, Ilkeston and Morley.

The College was visited earlier this summer by Career Mark, the licensed awarding body, who assessed how students were supported with planning the next stage of their lives – whether that be higher education, apprenticeships, employment or starting their own businesses.

They looked at the advice and guidance available to young people and adults before they enrolled at the College, throughout their student journey and once they had moved on through the alumni network.

Career Mark Assessor John Ambrose commended Derby College’s work to support nearly 16,000 full and part time further and higher education students.

His report states: “Derby College aims to do everything they can to help students realise their full potential, providing them with essential skills for adult and working life alongside a technical or academic qualification to enable them to move into a positive destination.

“Effective careers guidance is a key motivator in raising student aspirations, widening participation in higher level study and enabling social mobility.

“The college recognises that all students should have access to impartial advice and guidance. Through actively promoting Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG), it believes that it can help students to make the most of themselves and their opportunities, and to make well-informed, realistic choices.’

  Derby College Director of Services for Students Helen Jefferson said: “We are delighted to have gained this top accreditation for our careers advice and guidance work for the fourth time.

“The award of Career Mark is well justified as the team has helped thousands of students over the years to fulfil their goals – whether that is to go onto university, an apprenticeship, into work or setting up a business.

“With Career Mark re-awarded to the College, students can be confident that they will continue to receive an excellent standard of advice and guidance support.

“Advice and guidance for students is recognised as one of the major priorities for education and this is not an easy award to gain.

“One of the biggest influencers on the assessors was the feedback from students who fed back that they were very impressed and grateful for the support that they have received at College.”

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