Careers (CEAIG)

What is CEIAG?

CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) is designed to prepare students for life in modern Britain by providing the knowledge, understanding, confidence and skills that they need to make informed choices and plans for their future learning and career.

Irlam and Cadishead Academy is committed to providing good quality, impartial information, advice and guidance to every student throughout their school career. We ensure that students come in to contact with employers to encourage students to aspire, make good choices and understand what they need to do to reach and succeed in the careers to which they aspire as outlined in the Gatsby Career Benchmarks.

Our CEIAG programme provides activities appropriate to age and need; it aims to provide students with the best possible foundation on which to base not only their post-16 choices following Year 11, but also their options choices for GCSE subjects in Year 9.

Our CEIAG Lead is Mr D. Bridge who can be contacted via email at:

Further support or advice can also be obtained from the Head of Year:

Year 7 –

Year 8 –

Year 9 –

Year 10 –

Year 11 –

Click here to view our current programme of CEIAG activities.

Click here to view our CEIAG Provider Access Policy statement.

CEIAG Aims:

We aim to ensure that all our students:

are supported to make effective choices about their future study and career options
are provided with experiences which inspire and motivate them to achieve highly
are prepared for the transition process to life beyond secondary school (further and higher education and the world of work)
develop self-knowledge and confidence in making decisions and career choices which are suitable and ambitious for them
develop an understanding of the world of work and how to respond to changes in today’s workplace
develop research skills to seek out and utilise information, advice and guidance
develop characteristics which support high achieving students in the curriculum and in careers such as: social skills, communication, resourcefulness, innovation and resilience

Understanding Apprenticeships:

What is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study.

As an apprentice you will:

work alongside experienced staff
gain job-specific skills
earn a wage and get holiday pay
get time for study related to your job role (usually one day a week)
some apprenticeships can also give you an extra qualification

Levels of apprenticeship

Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels:

Name	Level	Equivalent educational level
Intermediate	2	GCSE
Advanced	3	A level

Who can apply for an apprenticeship?

You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school. To start one, you must be:

16 or over by the end of the summer holidays
living in England
not in full-time education

The National Careers Service has advice on writing applications and what to do at interviews.

You can find additional information about apprenticeships available in your area here.

A Parents Guide to Apprenticeships – fact sheet

CEIAG Information for parents:

How can you support your child’s career choices?

At Irlam and Cadishead Academy, we understand that the journey from starting in Year 7 to finishing school post 16, can be confusing, for both you and your child. There are option decisions to make, in year 9, and post 16 choices including apprenticeships, and further education.

There are many websites out there with advice, guidance and information on careers and further education.

Should you wish to do further research, please click on the logos below for more information: