Ashton Sixth Form Colleges’ flagship employability and progression programme, Imagine Your Future, has been giving hundreds of young people in the area the information and support they need to make a decision about their future careers.

The month long initiative has involved speakers from local and national employers, alumni, apprenticeship providers and university partners from around the UK who have visited the college to share their expertise and knowledge to help students on to their next step.

This year, National Careers Week fell within Imagine Your Future month which was kicked off by successful Ashton Sixth Form College alumnus, Kieron Byrne (Base Pilot Support Coordinator for Monarch Airlines) and Pam Harrison (Analytical Chemist for Astra Zeneca) who spoke to students about how they got in to the careers that they see themselves in today.

Kieran returned to inspire the next generation of Physicists to consider a career in aviation. His talk gave students information about the huge range of careers within the aviation industry as well as talking about his first hand experience of working in the air.
Pam took part in a Women in STEM panel (as part of International Women’s Day) to inspire young women in to Science careers. Pam, who excelled in her Science A Levels at the college 15 years ago told students “If you have got a talent and passion for Science, then go for it. The world will be your oyster.”

French students also benefitted from a talk by Capita Translation Services about the importance of MFL and how to turn their love of languages into a career. We know how important language are to a healthy economy so it was great for students to hear this from the horses mouth.

Other talks have included 'Careers in Pharmaceutical Industry', 'Getting into Primary Teaching', 'Careers within the Nuclear Industry', 'Options in Medical Sciences', 'Studying Forensic Psychology' and 'Student Finance & Budgeting'. Parents are also getting in on the action attending a recent Higher Education Evening for Parents which included talks from Newcastle University, the University of Chester and information about degree apprenticeships and prestigious School Leaver Programmes.

Hazel Kindley, Guidance Manager said “Imagine Your Future month has been a resounding success, providing hundreds of students with access to inspiring and informative professionals from a huge range of backgrounds. Our aim is to ensure that every one of our students feel well prepared for the future, and have the confidence to compete with the best and brightest in the country".

The Imagine Your Future initiative further supports government plans, announced in January 2016, to introduce a new law that will encourage colleges to work with schools as part of careers advice opportunities.

Principal, Dr Nevin said “We recognise the critical nature of good careers education and have been working for many years with Secondary Schools in the area to ensure that young people in Tameside are given the information they need to make informed choices for the future. Imagine Your Future is one example of this and I look forward to meeting with pupils and their parents/carers at our Imagine Your Future Careers and Progression Event on Monday 21st March”.

Imagine Your Future is a month long series of talks and events that provide our students with chances to hear from speakers from local and national employers, alumni, apprenticeship providers and university partners from around the UK. This culminates with a large Careers and Progression Fair at the college on Monday 21st March 5.00 – 7.30pm aimed at Year 9, 10 & 11 pupils.