Students in Bradford received their A level results last week, and this week, many more are awaiting results for GCSEs, scheduled to be released on Thursday, 24 August. The students are in a phase of life where confusion on a future path is normal. To solve this confusion, Bradford Council is set to organise a Next Step event through its education, training, and skills development initiative, ‘SkillHouse.’
Among the advisors, is Nazim Ali, a dedicated philanthropist with 16 years of experience as Principal Careers Adviser at SkillHouse. Nazim Ali was recently accorded with the honorary ‘Outstanding Contribution Award’ by the University of Bradford last month.
Speaking on the event scheduled on Friday 25 August, Nazim said: “The event scheduled on Friday is taking place at The Broadway shopping centre. We have this event, every summer after the results for A levels and GCSEs. We have a number of training providers in Bradford, some of them provide traineeships, some of them provide apprenticeship, we also have colleges like Bradford college or any other colleges, they attend the event.
“The events for young people who might be unsure on what to do next, they might be disappointed with the results, they haven’t had the result they wanted to continue into the course they wished for. So, this event is to present them with opportunities. Opportunities like apprenticeship and traineeship will provide a workplace experience, which will help students that are more practical.
“Our staff will be at the event, so any young person who needs some direction and advice, we will be there. We know it can be a stressful time for students, so we are here to guide them and support them and make them aware of the journey ahead.”
Speaking for the students, who might be disappointed with the results, Nazim says, “My advice to them is, it’s not the end of the world, take is as a part of your journey. There’s a range of other options where people can go into, like workplace experience, traineeship, or apprenticeship.”
“My advice to them is to know that they are never alone”.
Nazim, aged 42, is asked about the most common faced by students, he has come across in his 16 years of experience as a career adviser. He answers: “I think the problems really varies from student to student. Sometimes the young people are not always aware of the opportunities and options available for them, for example they might not be aware of apprenticeship options. Traditionally they think that there’s A levels and then you go to the university.
“University isn’t always the best option for everyone.
“Some young people are more practical, so for them it is better to pursue workplace learning or apprenticeship, where they are studying and learning from the environment. It’s not a one side approach.
“Each young person is different, one might be academic, Universities might work for them. Everyone has a different need and a different approach.
The students who gave A levels this year, due to Covid, didn’t get to sit for their GCSEs. Nazim says, “For them the A levels were more difficult because they didn’t have the exam prep, as you traditionally would do.”
Recalling his own journey as a student giving his A levels and GCSEs, Nazim says, “For me, it’s been such a long time when I gave my GCSEs and A levels. I did my GCSE in 1996 and A levels in 1998 from Belle Vue Boys’ School, now known as Beckfoot Upper Heaton.
“When I did my A levels, I did History, Politics and Urdu. When I applied for University, I applied for a History and Politics degree. I wasn’t sure what career I need to go into. So, I thought, I should do something that I am good at. After my degree, I wasn’t sure either on what to do ahead. I was considering teaching. I was also doing a lot of community work like football coaching. I did some traineeship, and then finally a job came up as a career advisor.
“I enjoyed working with young people, it opened up the door for me, so here I am 16 years into the job. My journey shows that I didn’t know what to do, but because I did voluntary work and worked with young people, I realised, even though I have multi-skills, my passion is to work for young people. That’s ensured my career because of the opportunities available at that time, I made my decision.
“Back then we didn’t really have the multitude of opportunities that we have now. There wasn’t a depth of courses for Level 2 and Level 1.”
The career advisor has one thing to tell the students, “When you are unsure of what to do, you don’t ask, you never find out. There’s nothing wrong with asking, it means you want to know, and you want to learn.
So, if you’re or you know someone who is aged 16-19, who doesn’t know what to do after A levels or GCSEs or did not get the results they expected, Skills House is holding an information event on Friday 25 August at the Broadway Shopping Centre in Bradford.
Visit them between 12pm and 3.30pm, to meet careers advisers and local organisations who can help young people decide their next steps.
For more information, go to https://t.co/mzu0TYGKlg or give a call on 01274 437373.
