Careers Education at Draycott Moor College
Our Careers Programme
At Draycott Moor College, our Careers Programme is designed to prepare students for life beyond education by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and guidance they need to make informed choices about their future. We offer a structured and inclusive careers education journey that continues through their time at Draycott.
Our programme includes the use of Morrisby, a leading careers platform that helps students explore career pathways tailored to their interests, strengths, and aspirations. We also embed the Skills Builder framework across the curriculum to develop essential employability skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem solving.
In addition to in-school guidance, we provide access to independent and impartial careers advice, ensuring that every student receives personalised support to explore education, training, and employment opportunities suited to their individual goals. Our aim is to empower all learners to confidently take their next steps toward a successful and fulfilling future.
Information for Students:
It’s All About You:
The careers program is designed to help you explore your interests, strengths, and future goals—whether you're thinking about college, apprenticeships, or work.
You'll Get Expert Tools:
You'll use Morrisby to discover careers that match your personality and skills, and Skills Builder to grow the essential life and employability skills employers look for.
Real, Practical Advice:
You’ll have access to independent careers advisers who will give you honest, one-on-one guidance tailored to you.
Opportunities to Learn and Explore:
Expect career days, workplace visits, guest speakers, and workshops to help you understand what different jobs are really like.
We Start Early and Build Up:
Careers education starts when you join Draycott and grows with you as you progress. The closer you get to leaving school, the more personalised and focused your support becomes.
You’re in Control of Your Future:
The careers programme helps you make confident, informed decisions about what’s next after school—whether that’s further education, training, or employment.
Information for Parents & Carers:
We Prepare Students for Life Beyond School:
Our careers programme supports students in understanding their strengths, exploring future options, and making informed decisions about their next steps—whether that’s further education, training, or employment.
We Use Trusted Tools:
Students have access to Morrisby, a respected careers profiling tool that helps match them with potential career paths, and Skills Builder, which develops key employability skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Independent, Impartial Guidance:
Every student has access to one-to-one sessions with qualified, independent careers advisers who offer unbiased support based on the student’s interests and aspirations.
Career Education is Integrated Throughout School Life:
From when they arrive at Draycott, students take part in structured activities including workshops, employer visits, enterprise events, and work-related learning—building confidence and broadening horizons.
We Value Parental Support:
We encourage parents to be involved in career conversations and decisions. We also provide information and updates to help families understand the opportunities available and how best to support their child.
Our Goal is Positive Destinations for Every Student:
Whether it’s college, an apprenticeship, or employment, we work hard to ensure each young person finds a pathway that suits them.
Information for Employers:
We’re Committed to Preparing Work-Ready Young People:
At Draycott Moor College, our careers programme equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to transition successfully into the world of work.
We Value Employer Partnerships:
We actively seek to build strong links with local and national employers who can inspire and inform our students through talks, workplace visits, mentoring, and work experience.
We Develop Core Employability Skills:
Using the Skills Builder framework, we help students develop essential skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and resilience—skills employers consistently value.
We Use Evidence-Based Careers Tools:
Our students use Morrisby to explore career options that align with their abilities and interests, helping them make informed decisions and set meaningful goals.
We Welcome Employer Involvement:
Whether you're offering a workplace tour, delivering a careers talk, hosting a student placement, or supporting a mock interview event, your involvement has a real impact.
If you're an employer and would like to get involved with the curriculum at Draycott Moor, please email Angie, Careers Lead, via the button at the top of the page.
Work Experience
Work experience is an exciting opportunity for students to spend valuable time with an employer, allowing them to experience the hours, working conditions and regulations they may encounter when they enter the world of work. Work experience is key to bridging the gap between education and the world of work.
At Draycott, we believe that meaningful work experience should reflect the individual aspirations and needs of our students. Each placement is carefully planned in collaboration with the young person to ensure it aligns with their future ambitions, personal development, and interests. Our goal is to provide supportive, relevant opportunities that help prepare students for life beyond school and ensure that each young person has experiences of the workplace before they leave us.
One of our students completed work experience at Stoke City Football Club. During the experience the student worked as a community coach assistant, helping set up sessions, refereeing matches and talking to members of the public. Feedback from the student was that his career goal is to work with Stoke City Community Trust in the future.
Another student has recently completed a week of work experience at Peak Wildlife Park where he had a hands on experience which included everything from mucking out to feeding, as well as making enrichment for some of the world’s most endangered animals. Feedback from the student was “this was one of the best things I have ever done.”
Benefits of Work Experience:
For Students:
· Increased confidence and self-esteem.
· Enhanced understanding of different careers and industries.
· Development of key employability skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
· Opportunity to gain valuable work experience.
For Employers:
· Increased engagement with the local community.
· Opportunity to build relationships with schools and educational institutions.
· Exposure to new talent and ideas.
· Potential future employees.
For the School:
· Enhanced reputation and community engagement.
· Improved student outcomes and career prospects.
· Increased opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.
Labour Market Information:
Labour Market Information (LMI) is data about jobs, industries, and career trends—what kinds of jobs are available, where they are, how much they pay, and what skills and qualifications are needed. It helps students make informed decisions about their futures by showing them which careers are in demand, what opportunities exist in different areas, and how to plan their education and training to match.
At Draycott, we encourage and support students to explore LMI as part of their career journey. Whether you’re choosing subjects, considering further education, or planning a career path, LMI can help you understand where your interests and strengths could lead—and how to get there.
Labour Market Information can be looked at on both a local and national level and we encourage students to look at both when considering a pathway. Local LMI helps students understand the job opportunities, growing industries, and skills in demand in our area—useful for finding apprenticeships, work experience, or local college courses. National LMI, on the other hand, gives a wider picture of trends across the country, including emerging sectors, future job growth, and areas with high employment needs. By exploring both, students can plan career paths that align with their goals—whether they want to stay local or aim for opportunities across the UK.
Some Local LMI:
1. Manufacturing and Engineering
- Historic Significance: Stoke-on-Trent, also known as “The Potteries,” has a long history of ceramics and manufacturing, with companies like Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, and Portmeirion having roots in the area.
- Current Landscape: Although the ceramic industry has declined, manufacturing remains a key part of the local economy. There are still several companies involved in the production of ceramics, metalworking, and engineering.
- Skills in Demand: Skilled workers in areas such as production, design, quality control, and machine operation are in demand. There’s also a need for engineers, including mechanical and electrical engineers.
2. Health and Social Care
- Growing Sector: The healthcare sector in Stoke-on-Trent is expanding, driven by an aging population and a need for ongoing care services.
- Key Employers: Local hospitals such as the Royal Stoke University Hospital, along with various care homes, community health services, and mental health services, provide a significant number of jobs.
- Skills in Demand: There is ongoing demand for roles including nurses, care assistants, social workers, occupational therapists, and mental health professionals.
3. Education and Teaching
- Local Opportunities: Stoke-on-Trent has a number of schools, further education colleges, and higher education institutions like Staffordshire University, all of which contribute to the education sector.
- Skills in Demand: Teachers (particularly in STEM subjects), special educational needs (SEN) staff, and teaching assistants are consistently sought after.
4. Retail and Hospitality
- Tourism and Retail: Stoke-on-Trent has a variety of retail centers, including intu Potteries shopping center and a growing hospitality sector, especially around tourism, with attractions like Alton Towers nearby.
- Skills in Demand: Customer service, hospitality management, retail roles, and chefs are areas with frequent job openings, especially during peak tourist seasons.
5. Digital and Technology
- Emerging Sector: While traditionally a manufacturing town, Stoke-on-Trent is working to build a digital and tech hub, attracting start-ups and businesses in sectors like digital marketing, software development, and tech innovation.
- Key Developments: The Stoke-on-Trent Digital Enterprise Business Support Programme is helping to grow the sector by supporting businesses with digital transformation and technology adoption.
- Skills in Demand: Web developers, IT support staff, digital marketing specialists, and data analysts are needed as the tech sector expands.
6. Construction and Building Trades
- Infrastructure Growth: There’s an ongoing demand for skilled workers in the construction sector, driven by both local development projects and national government initiatives, such as housing developments and infrastructure upgrades.
- Skills in Demand: Construction workers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, project managers, and surveyors are all in high demand.
7. Transport and Logistics
- Strategic Location: Stoke-on-Trent is strategically located in the heart of the UK, with good transportation links to Manchester, Birmingham, and London. This makes it a key hub for logistics and distribution businesses.
- Key Employers: Major companies like Aldi, Amazon, and Nestlé operate distribution centers in the area.
- Skills in Demand: Warehouse operatives, logistics managers, HGV drivers, and supply chain coordinators are all sought after.
8. Public Sector and Local Government
- Stability and Public Services: Stoke-on-Trent City Council provides a range of public sector employment, from administration and management to frontline services such as social work, housing, and environmental health.
- Skills in Demand: Local government and public sector positions are available in management, planning, policy development, and public administration.
9. Creative and Arts Industries
- Cultural Renaissance: Stoke-on-Trent has been building its reputation in the arts and creative industries, with initiatives to attract artists and creative professionals to the area.
- Key Developments: The Spode Works, the Emma Bridgewater factory, and the development of cultural spaces like the Victoria Hall offer opportunities for those in the arts, design, and creative fields.
- Skills in Demand: Graphic designers, digital artists, and those in the performing arts are emerging as important contributors to the local economy.
We utilise a range of sources of support but a website of particular support for our students in accessing local LMI is the https://www.staffsjobscareers.com/ website.
We also utilise Morrisby as a support tool for LMI. Every student at Draycott has a Morrisby Account.
Destination Data
Destinations our students have moved onto previously:
- Stoke on trent college
- South Staffordshire college
- Abbeyhill college
- Macclesfield college
- Draycott’s post 16 Provision
- Sporting Stars
Impact and Review Information
At Draycott , we are committed to delivering a high-quality, student-centred careers programme. We measure its success through ongoing monitoring and evaluation, tracking student outcomes and destinations, and gathering feedback from students, parents, staff, and employers.
We use tools such as Skills Builder and Morrisby to assess skill development and career readiness, alongside regular visits and reviews with internal stakeholders. Compass reports provide a framework for benchmarking our progress, and all information is reviewed regularly to ensure our provision remains effective and up to date.
We also ensure that our careers programme is closely linked to Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) outcomes, ensuring personalised support that aligns with the four Preparation for Adulthood pathways: employment, independent living, community inclusion, and health.
Our careers programmes at Draycott are reviewed and updated annually to reflect our findings and maintain best practice.
Horizon Care and Education Group Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales (company no. 06454959)