HFL Education, formerly known as Herts for Learning, in collaboration with The Careers Office, Hertfordshire County Council and the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership will be running a series of fully funded Careers Insights Days for Year 12 pupils from Hertfordshire schools during 2023.
The industry specific Career Insight days will be informative, fun and educational, and will arm students with all the information they need to decide if they wish to pursue an interest in that field. Working alongside our key partners at The Careers Office, HFL Education have a proven track record in offering students from disadvantaged students and BAME backgrounds the opportunity to experience and explore a career that may be of interest, and to help them make informed decisions about their future career path.
The initial programme of four themed Career Insight Days were held in venues in London and Hertfordshire during the 2022 autumn term and focused on Medicine, Law Finance, Business, Technology, Cyber Crime and Life Sciences. These events were highly popular with over 160 Hertfordshire students from disadvantaged backgrounds taking part.
The Access to Medicine Day featured on the BBC Live show on Wednesday 23rd November 2022. Find out more at: BBC films the HFL Education 2022 Access to Medicine Day
The 2023 spring and summer term programmes will focus on:
- Access to Allied Health Sciences with the NHS on Friday 12th May
- Access to Construction with Morgan Sindall on Thursday 25th May
- Access to Creative and Media with Warner Bros. on Friday 26th May
Full details below.
Career Insights Day format
Morning sessions
Leading experts in the specific field(s) will give students first-hand insights into what life is really like in that sector. They will be equipped with information about how to secure a place at university or with an employer, and will have the opportunity to speak with professionals and to ask questions about the sector in a live Q&A session.
Afternoon session
Students will be guided through the application process and will gain information about how they can secure a place on a degree or an apprenticeship programme. Students leave with a plan of action and are guided through what they need to do to have a career in their chosen field.
Travel costs
Subsidised travel for students is available for students, and details of the application process will be available when you receive a confirmation of a place. Please contact Suki Gill at suki.gill@hfleducation.org for further information.
Eligibility criteria
We welcome applications from all Year 12 students but we will be prioritising students from under-represented backgrounds and those from BAME backgrounds, as per the criteria below. Applicants must satisfy one of the following entry criteria, and this information must be included within the 100 - 150 words on why the students should attend the event (please note that failure to satisfy this requirement will lead to your application not being considered).
- Students previously in receipt of free school meals or Pupil Premium funding
- Students currently in receipt of Vulnerable Care bursary or discretionary bursary school payments, which are directly linked to financial hardship
- If the parent(s)/guardian(s) of students are in receipt of means tested benefits
- Students who have experienced local authority care for a period of longer than 3 months within the last 5 years
- Students that have an unpaid caring responsibility for another person
- Students with refugee status
- Students first in their family to attend university
- Students who are estranged from their family
- Students who are a member of the gypsy or travelling community
- Students from ethnic minority backgrounds
Careers Insights Days 2023 Programme
Access to Allied Health Professions with the NHS
Venue: Hertfordshire Development Centre, Stevenage
Date: Friday 12th May 2023, 9.30am – 4:00pm
The Allied Health Professions (AHPs) are the third largest workforce in the NHS. These include 14 occupations: Art therapists, Drama therapists, Music therapists, Podiatrists, Dietitians, Occupational therapists, Operating department practitioners, Orthoptists, Osteopaths, Paramedics, Physiotherapists, Prosthetists and orthotists, Radiographers and Speech and language therapists. AHPs work alongside a multidisciplinary team of doctors and nurses in a range of settings including hospitals and patient’s homes, emergency departments, schools and health clinics.
Students attending this event will be able to explore the full AHP career pathway, from school to specialist. Recruitment teams from partner organisations will be on hand to discuss where to look for vacancies, apprenticeships, and volunteering opportunities.
Eligibility criteria: The event is for Year 12 students
How to apply: Please complete this Online Application Form
Applications closing date: Friday 12th May 2023
Applications confirmed by: Friday 28th April 2023
Access to Construction with Morgan Sindall
Venue: University of Hertfordshire, College Lane Campus
Date: Thursday 25th May 2023 9:00am – 3:00pm
Morgan Sindall is a UK construction business with a network of local offices. Their vision is to be the most sought-after and sustainable business in the industry and our purpose is to create inspiring places that enhance the communities in which we all live, learn, work, play, care and protect. This means it's not just about the buildings they construct, but the impact these places have on people's lives, on a daily basis, right across the UK. The company works for private and public sector customers on projects and frameworks from £50,000 to over £1 billion.
During this Career Insight Day students will gain a better understanding of the diverse roles and various entry routes into the sector. Students will be able to meet and learn from inspiring leaders in the Construction industry. This event will be ideal for young people wanting to experience what a career in leadership, strategy and consulting could look like, even if they don’t have a specific interest in the sector. Throughout the day they will hear from various staff in the Construction industry at various stages of their career discussing their diverse and challenging assignments, their work on key strategy issues and how they work collaboratively on projects to problem solve critical problems.
The event also aims to demystify misconceptions in the sector, such as how careers are only aimed at boys, and how students across all subjects and departments can consider a career in Construction. So, whether students are studying English, Science, the Humanities or Arts, they are invited to attend to find out about what careers are available for them.
Eligibility criteria: The event is for Year 12 students
How to apply: Please complete this Online Application Form
Application closing date: Tuesday 2nd May 2023
Applications confirmed by: Thursday 5th May 2023
Access to Creative and Media with Warner Bros.
Venue: Warner Bros. Studio, Watford
Date: Friday 26th May 2023 9.30am – 4:00pm
Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art film and TV studio offering one of the largest facilities in the UK. It represents more than a third of the dedicated major feature film production stage space in the UK. It is the only film studio in the country to be owned and operated by a major Hollywood studio and is available to all kinds of productions, not just Warner Bros., from commercials to music videos, TV shows to feature films.
This Careers Insight Day has been designed to explore aspects of careers in film and media, and will provide an opportunity for students to meet industry professionals through workshops, Q&A sessions and a site tour.
Eligibility criteria: The event is for Year 12 students.
How to apply: Please complete this Online Application Form
Applications closing date: Tuesday 2nd May 2023
Applications confirmed by: Tuesday 9th May 2023
For further information about the programme, please contact Suki Gill at Suki.Gill@hfleducation.org
Carole has over 30 years’ experience working in and with schools and is driven by a dedication to provide the very best educational opportunities for all children. She currently holds the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Diocese of St Albans Multi Academy Trust, working with thirteen schools of all phases, spanning four Local Authority areas. 
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