FOR some people, aged between 18 and 24, finding their dream career can still be a daunting task.

In today’s education environment, there is a heavy focus on employer engagement within schools and colleges to inspire and raise aspirations of pupils. With the aim of showcasing different careers and sectors, as well as career pathways, careers guidance is an important part of the curriculum.

However, for those who have perhaps missed out on the benefits of the enterprise adviser networks, or who were doing ok at school and perhaps found uncertainty post-education – knowing where to go for advice can be hard.

Feedback from some young people in the 18-24 age bracket also suggests that when they were in Years 11 and 12, although they were exposed to a morning or afternoon of mock interviews, they never really learnt about identifying transferable skills or how to improve their interview skills.

Thankfully, organisations like Inspira can help, offering advice through the National Careers Service and through bespoke pre-employment programmes.

Though the organisation runs a lot of sector-specific courses – great for someone who knows what they want to do - one which often fits well with the 18-24-year olds are the employability and graduate courses.

Designed to be run over the period of a week or so, the courses delve deeply into transferable skills, interview skills and how to prepare for the workplace.

Vinny and Poppy both completed a college course, gaining a Level 3 IT course and completing an apprenticeship in graphic design respectfully, but, after that, neither was sure what the next step in their career path was. After a conversation with an Inspira Adviser, everything became clearer.

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https://www.inspira.org.uk/