Careers guidance and support

You need more than qualifications to secure the job you want. Develop your employability with City of Bristol College.

On this page:

Overview

We can help you develop your employability in a number of ways: 

  • As part of your study programme.
  • Through our online Moodle and career coach resources and support.
  • During your group tutorials.
  • Through our ‘Passport’ programme, which will give you a portfolio that demonstrates the skills you’ve developed while studying with us.

We work hard to help our students progress into employment, and have been awarded an Employability Chartermark by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership in recognition of our efforts.

Our services have been re-accredited with the MATRIX standard which highlights excellence in delivery of information, advice and guidance.

Career Coach

If you are unsure which career path to take, or you would like to explore career options related to one of our courses, then try our online Career Coach tool.

Use the Career Coach tool to:

  • Complete a career assessment where you can learn about yourself and careers that may be suitable for you
  • Find the right course based on your career interest, and vice versa
  • Create a CV
  • Find out which careers are in demand

Careers guidance for current students

All of our Centres have a Study Centre, through which you will be able to access a range of information, advice and guidance on your studies. Our Learner Services Advisers can advise you on further study at City of Bristol College, student finance and funding as well as providing wider careers advice.

We also have our Enterprise Advisor, Claire Rowland, who can advise you of your options, help you develop essential employability skills and connect you with local employers.

Careers advice for adults

Are you looking for local training courses or needing help with a career change? Have you used Career Coach and feel you need to talk through your options with a qualified Careers Advisor? You can contact our friendly careers team for information and advice on careers@cityofbristol.ac.uk

Information for school leavers

If you’re ready to move to the next stage of your education and training, we can help you move forward.

Our advisers can help you choose a training route that will lead to your chosen career goal. We can talk you through different types of qualifications, such as A Levels, BTECs and Apprenticeships, whilst explaining how these fit into your overall career path. Whatever your goal we can help you plan the route.

  • Not sure if College is the right choice for you? Come along to one of our open events and speak with our advisers about your options.
  • Worried about your exam results? Our GCSE advice sessions take place every summer on results day. Whatever your grades, we can help get you onto a suitable course for your ultimate career goal.

Guidance for people considering university study

Thinking of taking a university course after completing your studies? Whether you are worried about fees and funding or are looking for UCAS advice, we’re here to help. 

We can support you through the whole process of researching and applying for your university education.

Our study coaches have a wealth of resources and knowledge. You can also access information about completing your UCAS application via Moodle.

Support for parents and carers

Get the information you need to help your child make the right choices at 14, 16 and 18 through the Careerpilot website.

Careerpilot is a free website helping 13—19-year-olds plan their future.

Careerpilot can help you as a parent/carer get answers to the career questions you want to ask, about:

  • Choices at 14, 16 and 18
  • Further Education College
  • Apprenticeships and Traineeships
  • Higher Education (including HE provided at local colleges)
  • Job sectors and growth
  • Funding and support

Kickstart your career

Kickstart is a £2 billion government fund to create hundreds of thousands of high quality six-month job placements for young people aged 16-24 who are on Universal Credit.

Partners in Bristol are proud to launch The Kickstart Academy, so you can get ahead of the game with your Kickstart application. Our academy will help you with every aspect of your application, including:

  • How to apply for Kickstart in a digital world
  • Free careers advice and guidance
  • Confidence building and guidance
  • CV writing masterclasses
  • One-to-one support
  • Links to employers
  • Understanding your current skill set
  • Advice on the best training opportunities which will suit your needs and goals
  • Resilience Training

To find out more, contact 0117 312 5777 or enquiries@PIB.cityofbristol.ac.uk

Useful links for students

CV tools

Career Coach CV builder
Prospects CV examples
National Careers Service CV writing guide
Barclays Life Skills CV builder

Body language tips for interviews
The Guardian Jobs CV writing guide
Rate My Apprenticeship CV guide

Cover letter help

Prospects cover letter guidance
National Careers Service cover letter guide
UCAS how to write a cover letter
The Guardian Jobs how to write a cover letter
Indeed how to write a cover letter
Not Going To Uni cover letter guidance

Interview techniques

Play Indeed Jobs interview techniques video
Barclays Life Skills virtual interview practise
Prospects interview questions
Reed interview techniques
Glassdoor interview questions
National Careers Service interview advice
How to ace interviews with the STAR method

Careers Programme Plan

View or download our Careers Programme Plan (pdf)

For further information contact our designated Careers Lead, Margz Ahmad, at careers@cityofbristol.ac.uk

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