Careers Advice and Guidance

Department: Student Services
Document Author: Caroline McCarthy
Job Title: Student Services Manager
Date of Approval: 4 November 2025
Review Date: November 2027
Version: xx

Policy Checklist:

Policy Positioning Statement

Our mission is simple – be all that you can be.

Bridgend College is a special place to learn and work. We want to create an inclusive environment which enables people to be innovative and passionate about what they do. We want to create inspirational opportunities which transform lives and celebrate the successes of every individual. We are committed to making decisions which are ethical and people-centred, for every person and in every interaction.

We know that the standards we walk past are the standards we accept, so by being a team player who is committed to our organisational values, we can ensure that everyone is ready to learn and work in an environment where they are respected and feel safe, to be all that they can be.

We want Bridgend College to be a place of sanctuary, providing a sense of belonging.

We recognise the significant impact of trauma on individuals’ lives and understand that a compassionate and understanding approach is essential to support our students and staff on their academic and personal journeys. We will do this by being calm, consistent and caring in our approach to communication and decision-making.

We want to be an anti-racist College. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture where people are respectful and where this permeates all that we do. We want to develop a culture where people show up for one another with trust and integrity – a place of learning and work where people thrive.

As a place of education, we recognise our responsibility in developing the skills, knowledge and confidence of our students, staff and the communities we serve.

We know that we don’t always get things right, but we are committed to listening, learning and educating ourselves on our journey to becoming an extraordinary organisation.

We are committed to ensuring that course choices and offers are in the best educational interest of an individual learner, enabling them to both achieve and progress (in terms of personal skills but also social and academic development).

This policy applies to all applicants applying to or enrolling on a learning programme, irrespective of mode or location of study.

1. Purpose and Objectives: 

We are committed to providing excellent careers advice and guidance through a trauma informed programme of careers education, information and support for all current and prospective students. Our careers programme is designed to empower students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their future, whether the student is progressing to Higher Education, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, employment or independence. 

In line with the Bridgend College Group Stakeholder Engagement Strategy, a key priority will be to nurture and develop existing relationships with employers and identify new opportunities for meaningful work placements. 

We are committed to the implementation of the eight Gatsby Benchmarks (See related documents)

2. Programme Delivery:

The career programme is delivered by Cyfleoedd, through a combination of drop-in sessions, booked appointments and integrated curriculum activities such as tutorials and advanced skills sessions in success hub.

3. Careers journey: (See related documents for careers graphic)

4. Responsibilities

The Careers and Employment Lead: 

The Careers and Employment Lead is responsible for planning, developing, and coordinating the careers program. This includes arranging: 

• Workshops facilitated using our careers platform Unifrog for CV building, interview skills, and job searching; careers fairs and employer presentations. These workshops are in addition to the Employability qualification undertaken by Level 2 and Level 3 students, as part of their Advanced Skills tutorial programme. 
• Mandatory Work experience placements, with support from the Work Placement Facilitator. Placements are logged on Unifrog, to track completion and Health and Safety compliance. 
• Guidance sessions on Higher Education, Apprenticeship and training options. 
• Ensuring the program aligns with relevant educational standards and the needs of the students or individuals they support. 
• Promoting local employment opportunities. 
• Organising employer engagement sessions, events and guest speakers. 
• Attend networking events/groups/forums for continuous professional development. 
• Submission of mid-year and end of year reports to Medr, outlining the activity of the Employment and Enterprise Bureau. 
• Promote opportunities to receive careers advice and guidance in Welsh, through collaboration with Careers Wales. 

The Student Services Manager will: 

• Review the policy annually, taking into account the current labour market and changes in education policy. 
• Oversee the submission of mid-year and end of year reports to Medr, outlining the activity of the Employment and Enterprise Bureau. 
• Measure the effectiveness of the careers programme through feedback from staff and Learner Voice and progression data.

The Entrepreneurship Officer will:

• Drive the Youth Entrepreneurship agenda, through enabling, engaging, empowering and equipping students to create and grow businesses through a range of entrepreneurship and enterprise activities.
• Oversee the administration of the Working Wardrobe scheme.

5. Related Documents (if applicable):

Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015

Stakeholder Engagement Strategy 2025/28

Working Wardrobe 

Gatsby Benchmarks 

My Careers Journey Graphic

Equality Impact Assessment Form

Date completed: 29/7/25
Signed by Manager completing the assessment: Caroline McCarthy

Welsh Language Impact Assessment

Welsh Language Standards

Action Plan

Actions should demonstrate steps to be taken to reduce or where possible, eliminate any negative impact on the Welsh Language.

Assessment Completion Date: 29/7/25

Student finance

Studying at college may involve costs for you.

Find out more

Discovery Events

Throughout the year, we open our doors to the public and run a number of discovery events.

Find out more

Campus Tours

We offer over 20 different tours, all of which are focused on a specific subject area.

Find out more

Cyfleoedd

Cyfleoedd is our careers hub, and we work closely with students to enhance careers education and promote work-related opportunities.

Find Out More

Careers

We are a values-based organisation, and we look for people to join us who share those values.

Find Out More