Here’s a selection of projects I have worked/am working on in the careers & education arena…

notgoingtouni.co.uk

Problem: statistically over 55% of young people don’t go to university every year, despite the fact we’re led to believe it is the “best” & only route in life. Almost 1 in 4 students drop out of university or their courses and each year many young people go into higher education because they’re not sure of the alternatives. People going through this process may end up as victims due to the average student debt expected to reach £23,500.

Solution: a one-stop portal to inspire, advise & give young people the opportunities that are open to them outside of the traditional uni route, including apprenticeships, a-level training schemes, gap years, foundation degrees, employer-funded study & distance learning.

Results: a year on from its official launch at Skills London 2008, notgoingtouni.co.uk is the premier site dedicated to all things non-uni. It plays host to 30,000 students a month and features opportunities from clients such as the NHS, Tesco, Sainsburys, the Open University, the AAT, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and many more!

notgoingtouni.co.uk launched me as the careers & education voice of a generation and was featured as part of Channel 4’s Year Dot project which followed me around for a year, on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 1, Sky News, ITV News, in The Guardian, Observer, The Sun, The Times, The Daily Mail, The Telegraph & more media outlets.

Awards: named ‘Best Young Person’s Website’ at the 2008 Hantsweb Awards!

Just a quick note to say thanks for all your help, we are receiving a high number of good quality applications.
Sam Martin, Industry Recruitment Associate,British Horseracing Authority

notgoingtouni.co.uk have made working with them very easy. They have taken the time to listen and understand us and have matched our expectations –helping us to target a key audience through their professional and trusted team. Their response and support with website and exhibitions has been both swift and flexible and we are looking forward to developing our relationship even further in the coming months.
Dr Benjamin Culling, Strategic Marketing, RDI

Results day Survival Pack

Problem: due to the recession & masses of pressure on young people to go to university in 2009 there was a 30% increase in UCAS applications. Ultimately 141,000 people we’re turned down for places this year with nowhere to turn.

In 2008 figures released showed that students going through the ‘clearing’ process found it very stressful (54%), with 33% feeling they rushed their choices, 37% felt pressured to go to university and a quarter wishing they had chosen a different path.

In 2009 with last years figures coupled with reports of university place shortages, things were set to be even tougher.

Solution: to compile an emergency guide for all A-Level students getting their exam results in August detailing information on what to do on the day, useful numbers & contacts to keep at hand, information on the clearing process, alternatives pathways to a degree for students who didn’t make the cut, advice on taking a gap year and other options after results day.

Results: the Survival Pack launched into the spotlight after being picked up by The Telegraph, The Times, The Sun, Sky News, BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 1xtra, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live & many more! The pack was put together with & featured various MPs, Ministers & Gov’t departments and organisations such as McDonalds, Logica and John Lewis. The Survival Pack was also showcased at the launch of the Government’s ‘Backing Young Britain’ campaign where I was invited to talk to PM Gordon Brown.

Thanks for providing your website address and the link to your excellent survival guide. It’s great to see such comprehensive information available not just for those students making their way to university but also for those who want to follow other routes such as apprenticeships and work. The section on taking a gap year is also very informative since despite the numerous pressures on young people to stay in learning or find a job there can be still a lot to gain longer term from taking a year out to broaden your experience. We will endeavour to make our students aware of both your publication and your site through our work in high schools and hope that you are able to continue to provide such a high quality service.
Mark Fox, 14-19 Project Manager, Connexions Northumberland