Careers
Staff
Mrs D Kearney (Head of Department)
Mrs M Walsh (Careers Advisor)
Our Philosophy
At St Colman’s High & Sixth Form College, we believe careers education is about much more than helping students choose a job. It is about empowering every young person to discover who they are, recognise their strengths, develop ambition and make informed decisions about their future.
From Year 8 onwards, students are encouraged to explore opportunities, challenge stereotypes, develop transferable skills and understand the rapidly changing world of education and employment. Through meaningful employer encounters, personalised guidance, enterprise education and real-world experiences, we equip every student with the knowledge, skills and confidence to progress successfully into higher education, apprenticeships, further education or employment.
We recognise that every student’s journey is unique. Our role is to inspire aspiration, remove barriers, broaden horizons and ensure that every young person has access to impartial advice, high-quality guidance and meaningful experiences that prepare them for life beyond St Colman’s.
Our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme reflects our school vision of Achieve, Believe and Belong, ensuring that every student is supported to achieve their full potential, believe in their own abilities and feel confident about the future they are creating
University roadshow 2023
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide an outstanding, progressive careers programme that prepares every student for success in an ever-changing world.
Through a carefully planned programme from Year 8 to Year 14, we enable students to develop the knowledge, skills, experiences and personal qualities needed to make informed decisions at each stage of their educational journey. Careers education is embedded across school life and enriched through strong partnerships with employers, universities, colleges and community organisations, allowing students to connect learning with future opportunities.
By combining careers education with current Labour Market Information, employer engagement and personalised guidance, we ensure our students understand not only the opportunities available today, but also the skills and attributes that will be required for the careers of tomorrow.
Our Commitment
We are committed to ensuring every student has access to high-quality, impartial and inclusive careers education that raises aspirations and promotes equality of opportunity.
Throughout their time at St Colman’s, students benefit from:
- A progressive careers programme from Year 8 to Year 14.
- Weekly careers education and employability lessons.
- Personalised careers guidance and one-to-one interviews.
- Meaningful employer encounters and workplace experiences.
- Strong partnerships with universities, colleges and industry.
- Access to up-to-date Labour Market Information.
- Enterprise education and leadership opportunities.
- Work Experience placements that develop confidence and employability.
- Comprehensive support for university, apprenticeship and employment pathways.
- Digital careers learning through Unifrog and other online resources.
Every experience is carefully planned to help students develop the confidence, resilience, skills and ambition needed to become successful learners, responsible citizens and future employees.
Preparing Students for Life Beyond School
Success is no longer measured simply by examination results. Young people need the confidence to adapt, the resilience to embrace change and the skills to thrive in an increasingly complex global economy.
Our careers programme encourages students to become reflective, independent learners who understand their own strengths, appreciate the value of lifelong learning and are equipped to navigate an evolving world of work.
Whether a student chooses university, an apprenticeship, further education or employment, our aim is that they leave St Colman’s with the knowledge, experiences and confidence to make informed decisions and fulfil their potential.
Together with parents, employers and our wider community, we are proud to inspire the next generation to Achieve, Believe and Belong
Labour Market Information (LMI)
Labour Market Information (LMI) is at the heart of our careers programme. By understanding employment trends, skills shortages and future opportunities, students can make informed decisions about subject choices and progression pathways.
Throughout Years 8–14, students regularly explore Labour Market Information through careers lessons, Unifrog, employer encounters and guidance interviews.
Why is Labour Market Information important?
Labour Market Information helps students:
- understand which industries are growing;
- identify careers in demand;
- explore salary expectations;
- understand qualification requirements;
- recognise the skills employers value;
- make informed decisions about GCSEs, Sixth Form and future careers.
Future Growth Sectors
Students regularly explore opportunities within:
- Healthcare and Life Sciences
- Digital Technology
- Cyber Security
- Engineering
- Construction
- Professional and Financial Services
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Renewable Energy and Green Technologies
- Education
- Logistics and Transport
Useful Resources
Recommended Resources
Northern Ireland Skills Barometer 2023–2033
Produced by the Department for the Economy and the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre, this report provides forecasts of Northern Ireland’s future workforce needs, identifying growth sectors, skills shortages and qualification requirements to 2033. It is one of the most valuable resources for students, parents and careers professionals.
https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/publications/skills-barometer-2023-2033
Skills in Demand – NI Direct
Explore careers that are currently in demand across Northern Ireland, including information about qualifications, employment prospects and progression routes.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/careers
Department for the Economy – Skills and Employment
A comprehensive collection of labour market research, employer skills surveys, job posting trends and workforce data, providing insight into Northern Ireland’s economy and future employment needs.
https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/articles/skills-and-employment
Careers Service Northern Ireland
Provides impartial careers advice, career planning tools, information on education pathways and support for young people and adults.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/careers
Our Careers Programme
At St Colman’s High & Sixth Form College, our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme is designed to inspire ambition, develop employability skills and equip every student with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their future.
Careers education is delivered progressively from Year 8 through to Year 14, ensuring that students build their understanding of themselves, the world of work and the wide range of opportunities available to them. Our programme combines classroom learning with meaningful employer encounters, university engagement, enterprise education, personalised guidance and real-life experiences, allowing students to connect their learning with future aspirations.
The programme is carefully planned to reflect the Gatsby Benchmarks, support the aspirations of TransformED Northern Ireland, and respond to current and future Labour Market Information, ensuring students develop the skills required for an ever-changing economy.
Post-16 mock interviews
Key Stage 3 (Years 8–10)
During Key Stage 3, students begin their careers journey by developing self-awareness, recognising their strengths and exploring the exciting range of careers and pathways available to them.
Through weekly careers lessons and enrichment opportunities, students explore:
- their interests, skills and personal qualities;
- the relationship between education, careers and the wider world;
- Labour Market Information and future employment trends;
- enterprise, innovation and entrepreneurship;
- financial capability and employability;
- teamwork, leadership and communication skills.
Students participate in a wide range of experiences including Young Enterprise Step Up and Blast Off programmes, Bank of Ireland financial capability workshops, employer presentations and careers-focused learning through Unifrog. These experiences encourage students to develop confidence, raise aspirations and begin making informed choices about their future.
Key Stage 4 (Years 11–12)
As students progress through Key Stage 4, careers education becomes increasingly focused on progression planning and preparing for life beyond GCSE.
Students receive support to:
- explore post-16 pathways;
- make informed subject choices;
- understand Higher and Degree Apprenticeships;
- research Further and Higher Education opportunities;
- develop employability and workplace skills;
- prepare for transition into Sixth Form or alternative pathways.
Throughout the year students benefit from employer encounters, industrial visits, university engagement, careers events, personalised guidance interviews and opportunities to explore a wide variety of career sectors. Year 12 students also participate in pre-exit guidance interviews to support informed decision-making about their next steps.
Post-16 (Years 13–14)
Our Post-16 careers programme provides personalised guidance to support students as they prepare for higher education, apprenticeships and employment.
Students benefit from:
- weekly careers and employability lessons;
- one-to-one guidance interviews;
- comprehensive UCAS and CAO support;
- Personal Statement workshops;
- Higher and Degree Apprenticeship guidance;
- Student Finance information;
- university visits and Open Days;
- University Roadshow events;
- specialist healthcare, teaching and vocational guidance;
- employer presentations and networking opportunities;
- Work Experience placements;
- mock interviews with employers and industry professionals.
This year, 75 Year 13 students successfully completed Work Experience placements across a wide range of employment sectors, while 12 Year 12 students participating in The King’s Trust Programme also completed valuable workplace experiences.
Students interested in careers such as Nursing, Midwifery, Teaching and Social Work receive additional guidance through specialist workshops, university presentations and tailored interview preparation.
University open days
Employer Engagement
Developing strong partnerships with employers is central to our careers programme.
Throughout the year, students engage with local, national and international employers through careers fairs, apprenticeship events, industrial visits, workshops and guest speakers. These partnerships help students understand workplace expectations, develop employability skills and gain valuable insight into future career opportunities.
Students have benefited from opportunities provided by organisations including Bank of Ireland, Finnebrogue, Kainos, Graham Construction, Translink, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Work Inspiration and Futures For All, alongside many local employers who continue to support our careers programme through work experience, mentoring and mock interviews.
Higher Education and Apprenticeships
Students considering Higher Education receive extensive support throughout the application process, including university visits, Open Days, UCAS guidance, CAO applications, admissions test preparation and Results Day advice.
Alongside university pathways, students are encouraged to explore the growing range of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships available across Northern Ireland and beyond. Our annual Apprenticeship Fair brings together employers, universities and training providers, enabling students to compare progression routes and make informed decisions about their future.
Digital Careers Learning
Our careers programme is enhanced through Unifrog, which is embedded throughout Years 8–14.
Students use the platform to:
- research careers and progression routes;
- explore Labour Market Information;
- investigate university and apprenticeship opportunities;
- develop CVs and Personal Statements;
- record achievements and experiences;
- access virtual work experience, webinars and employer encounters.
This year, over 93% of students actively engaged with Unifrog, generating more than 5,850 interactions—the highest level of engagement across all schools in Northern Ireland.
Supporting Every Student
Our careers programme is built upon the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their starting point or chosen pathway.
By combining high-quality careers education with personalised guidance, meaningful employer engagement and real-world experiences, we help students develop the confidence, resilience and employability skills needed to thrive in further education, apprenticeships, university and the workplace.
Through collaboration with parents, employers, universities and our wider community, we continue to prepare our students not only for their next destination, but for successful and fulfilling careers throughout their lives.