UTC Reading is delighted to have been awarded the national Quality in Careers Standard – Gold level in recognition of the high and continuous standard of its careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) provision. The school has previously held the Quality Award Standard twice before, but this third time of winning means we get the Gold level.
Following an inspection in January 2023, the school received notification of its Gold award on 1 March, with the report saying: ‘This is an excellent achievement and recognises the quality and breadth of your careers provision.’
Among the points singled out for excellence were the UTC’s stable careers programme, linking curriculum learning to careers. Encounters with employers, further education and personal guidance were also praised by assessors.
A section from the report noted: ‘Learners are positively engaged with the learning pathway they have chosen and enthusiastic about what they are learning about themselves and the world of work. They are supported to make successful transitions within the college and to make their next steps into further learning or work.’
The UTC’s professional qualification provision was also praised, with assessors saying: ‘The opportunity for them [students] to acquire a range of professional qualifications, including Microsoft ones, is much appreciated by the learners and illustrates the college’s commitment to preparing their learners for working life. Learners are also very positive about the ethos of the environment and how it better resembles a workplace than other places they are familiar with.’
Among the student comments highlighted in the report, one said: ‘Meeting lots of employers and visiting workplaces allows us to explore a range of possibilities for employment. Using Unifrog helps us to do more research and find about careers and learning pathways as well.’
Assistant Head of School Stephanie Mitchell said: “We are delighted to have achieved this award for the third time, demonstrating the continued excellence in the careers provision at UTC Reading. Our employer engagement programme has always been something we have been proud of, but to get an award is a great achievement to really showcase this. The opportunities that our students get to really excel in their careers is amazing to watch over the years, whether that be progressing to university, an apprenticeship or employment. The career journey starts when our students’ walk through the door, helping to prepare them with the skills, knowledge and attributes for the world of work and bridging the gap between industry and education.”
- The Quality in Careers Standard is a national quality award that is aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks and complies with the Department for Education’s Statutory Guidance.
- The Gold award was given to UTC Reading using the Career Mark approach provided by Complete Careers.
