My Learning,

My Future
Where can studying Design Technology take you?
Introduction Contents

At The Careers & Enterprise

How to use this guide 1
Company, our mission is to
help schools and colleges to
inspire and prepare young Why study Design Technology? 2-6
people for the fast-changing
world of work. Essential Skills 7-8

My Learning, My Future is a
suite of resources that has Careers in the Curriculum 9-10
been developed by The Careers
& Enterprise Company in Pathways 11-15
partnership with Skills Builder
to help you speak confidently
about the careers related to
your subject as well as the
various pathways and skills
needed by employers.

Benchmark 4
Linking curriculum learning to
careers. Bring your subject to life
by providing real-life examples
from the world of work to help
motivate and inspire students.

Learn more
My Learning, My Future careersandenterprise.co.uk 1

How to use this guide

In this guide and supporting documents, you’ll find resources to
engage your students in curriculum learning, supporting work
towards Benchmark 4, by highlighting the relevance of your subject
to future careers and opportunities.
Explore the four key areas of the guide to inspire your students Why
about where your subject can take them in the future. study Design
Technology?
Access key resources that link to
your subject area that can be
used in your lessons to help
your students explore
future careers.

Essential Skills
Learn how you can engage with
Skills Builder to help students
identify and develop essential
skills linked to your subject.

Careers in
the Curriculum
Discover resources and
inspiration to link careers to
the curriculum, employer
engagement and extra-
curricular opportunities.

Pathways
Take a look at a wide variety
of resources that focus on the
pathways a young person can
follow to a career linked to
the subject.
Why study
Design
Technology?
My Learning, My Future careersandenterprise.co.uk 3

Why Study Design Technology?

There is a wealth of resource to support you in raising

opportunity awareness as you highlight the relevance
of your subject to future careers.
This section will connect you with key resources and
links for students to explore opportunities linked
to your subject area with the aim of motivating and
inspiring your students about the world of work and
pathways to a career using Design Technology.
There are a number of examples of roles and activities
to support student opportunity exploration.

Activity Ideas

1 2 3

Task the students to compare Encourage students to Click here to access a student
skills, wages and responsibilities research and present on facing PowerPoint slide deck,
of roles linked to your subject. roles of interest to them which will support you in
linked to your subject. highlighting the relevance
of your subject with content
taken from this guide.
My Learning, My Future careersandenterprise.co.uk 4

Resources to highlight the relevance of Labour Market

your subject Information
• STEM Learning World-leading STEM education for all • The LMI for All portal
young people across the UK. provides high-quality,
reliable labour market
• Linking Careers to STEM Curriculum Guide for Teachers
information (LMI) to
(Strategy 1 “Help students to recognise the importance
inform careers decisions.
of STEM in their lives and the lives of others” & Strategy
2 “Challenge the Perception that STEM isn’t for me”). • Help your students to find
out what a job involves and
Other key Resources: if it is right for them with
• Download Where Can Technology Take You Poster by National Careers Service.
National Apprenticeship Service.
• National Careers Week
• Jobs that use Design and Technology: BBC Bitesize Future of Work Guide.
Careers.
• Labour market information
• Tech UK is the trade association which brings together and study routes into STEM
people, companies and organisations to realise the careers.
positive outcomes of what digital technology can
achieve. Check out the latest news and views, industry
insights, reports, podcasts and more here.

Explore a career as a…
There are many more roles and careers linked to STEM and this
guide contains the resource and support to explore many more
opportunities. A small selection highlighted below and more
information can be found via STEM Learning’s careers resources.

Energy Assessor
Commercial energy assessors test how energy-
efficient commercial buildings are and produce
Non-Domestic Energy Performance Certificates.

See Case study

Visit National Careers

Service to learn more
My Learning, My Future careersandenterprise.co.uk 5

Architect
Architects design new buildings and the spaces
around them, and work on the restoration and
conservation of existing buildings.

See Case study

Visit National Careers

Service to learn more

Machine Operator/
Engineering Operative
Engineering operatives use hand and machine
tools to do jobs across different industries.

See Case study

Visit National Careers

Service to learn more
My Learning, My Future careersandenterprise.co.uk 6

Civil Engineer
Civil engineers design and manage construction
projects, from bridges and buildings to transport
links and sports stadiums.

See Case study

Visit National Careers

Service to learn more

Motor Mechanic
Motorcycle mechanics service and repair
motorbikes, scooters and quad bikes.

See Case study

Visit National Careers

Service to learn more
Essential
Skills
My Learning, My Future careersandenterprise.co.uk 8

Essential Skills

A critical part of effective careers Key Skill Overview Resources

provision is building students’ essential
skills. These are the skills that underpin
success in the classroom and the world Working cooperatively
of work such as Teamwork, Problem with others towards Key stage 3
Solving, Speaking and Listening. achieving a shared goal.
Students need to be able to recognise Key stage 4
Overview video
their skillset and talk about it confidently
too. They will probably be using them
already in your lessons, but this can be a
confusing space, with lots of overlapping The use of imagination Key stage 3
terminology. and the generation
of new ideas.
The Skills Builder Universal Framework
Key stage 4
has been developed by The Careers Overview video
& Enterprise Company, Skills Builder
Partnership, Gatsby Foundation and
others to address this problem. The ability to find a
The Framework breaks down eight solution to a situation Key stage 3
essential skills into 16 teachable steps. It or challenge
outlines a roadmap for progress, giving Key stage 4
educators and employers a common Overview video
language for talking about the skills that
are essential for employment. You can
explore the Interactive Framework here.
As a teacher, you can also create a free
account on the Skills Builder Hub here.
There’s over 300 short lessons and a
suite of other resources too. We have
picked three essential skills that are
likely to come up in your lessons. These
short lessons are perfect for pastoral
time and starters/plenaries.
Careers in
the curriculum
My Learning, My Future careersandenterprise.co.uk 10

Careers in the Curriculum

Young people critically need support to see and

understand their future and ensuring that careers
Embed careers in curriculum
learning is delivered in all subjects has benefits
clearly aligned to the priorities of schools and teaching and learning
colleges and to positive outcomes for students. There are some excellent examples
There are three different approaches to careers of how curriculum teaching can be
in the curriculum to consider: put into the context of careers and
the world of work. Here are some
examples of resources linked to your

1
subject for inspiration:

• Discover how to adapt your curriculum

to link to careers.

• STEM Learning Secondary and A-Level Design

and Technology Resources.
Highlight the relevance of your subject
to future careers and opportunities. • STEM Ambassadors increase your awareness of
STEM-related careers and employability skills,
helping you to embed this information into
your teaching.

2 • Forum Talent Potential is a tried-and-tested

CPD process that builds the capacity of
teaching professionals to create meaningful
learning experiences in partnership with
local employers and equip young people
Set curriculum learning within for life beyond school. It helps fulfil Gatsby
the context of careers and benchmarks for ‘Good Career Guidance’ and
the world of work. Ofsted requirements for a ‘Rich Curriculum’
and each child’s ‘Personal Development’,
contributing to school improvement strategies.
Find out more with the ‘Getting Started Pack’.

3 Case studies linked to your subject:

KS3 Design Technology Apply skills learned
through the year by designing and creating a
mobile phone stand, using laminated wood.

Deliver curriculum learning • Neon brings together the UK’s best engineering
through employer encounters, experiences and inspiring careers resources to
experiences of work and/or help teachers bring STEM to life with real-
extra-curricular opportunities. world examples of engineering.
Pathways
My Learning, My Future careersandenterprise.co.uk 12

Pathways

When it comes to the question of what

to do at key decision points, there are Pathway options
a lot of options to consider. Therefore,
the Department for Education has put A-Level Product Design
together a couple of simple and handy
A-Level Design & Technology
guides to inform young people and their
parents about the options available to BTEC Engineering
them. These include: T-Level Design, Surveying and
Planning for Construction
• A route comparison grid which shows
all of the routes available after GCSEs, Example Post T-Level Building Services
along with additional information on 16 Routes Engineering for Construction
each one, such as the level of study,
T-Level Onsite Construction
entry requirements, duration of the
course, and where it can lead.

• A 2-minute animation showcasing and

Product Design Engineering
explaining each choice in a simple,
dynamic and visual manner. Product Design

The Department for Education T Levels Product Design and Technology

team has created a helpful T Level Guide Degree Ideas Engineering
for Teachers and Careers Advisers,
giving a comprehensive oversight of this
exciting qualification.

Furniture Design Technician

Puppet Maker
Construction
Engineer
Apprenticeship
Ideas
My Learning, My Future careersandenterprise.co.uk 13

Activity Ideas

Encourage students to
identify a job related to
your subject that they
will be doing in ten years’
time and ask them to
present the pathway they
took to that role.

Resources to highlight
2 pathways from your subject
• Download My Learning, My Future Key Student facing
presentation deck.

• Posters and flyers promoting careers

in STEM.
Encourage students to
research local options • Linking Careers to STEM Curriculum Guide for Teachers,
at 16/18 in pathways Strategy 6 “Provide information on STEM-specific further
related to your subject study routes, careers and the labour market”.
that interest them.
• STEM Learning World-leading STEM education for all young
people across the UK.

• Download Where Can Technology Take You Poster by

National Apprenticeship Service.

• Wow Show (Construction Special): The WOW Show is a

30-minute fast-moving interactive magazine show aimed at
creating real-life encounters which give young people fresh
perspectives on the world of work.

• Discover Creative Careers: Bringing together careers

information and opportunities from creative organisations
in one explorable directory.
My Learning, My Future careersandenterprise.co.uk 14

Extension and Employer Engagement

Opportunities linked to your subject

Here is some inspiration to enhance Case studies linked to your subject: KS3 Design
Technology Apply skills learned through the year by
student engagement in your subject: designing and creating a mobile phone stand, using
• STEM Learning World-leading STEM education for laminated wood.
all young people across the UK.
• Neon brings together the UK’s best engineering
• Celebration events that promote STEM Careers. experiences and inspiring careers resources to help
teachers bring STEM to life with real-world examples
• STEM Clubs are an enjoyable way to engage young of engineering.
people with STEM subjects and careers.
• STEMettes: Showing the next generation that girls do
• STEM Ambassadors increase your awareness of Science,Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) too
STEM-related careers and employability skills, at our free, fun, food-filled experiences.
helping you to embed this information into your
teaching. Stemillions: Bring a Stemettes-style experience to
your community via a club run by young women
• STEM Careers Toolkit: Careers Leader Guide BM4.
The Stemette Society: A closed social network for
• Linking Careers to the STEM Curriculum: young women aged 13 to 25: An opportunity for
Teachers Guide. students to connect with like-minded young women
and nonbinary young people in a safe and moderated
• Catalyst is a free online magazine aimed at young online space. Discuss things you’ve seen in the Zine,
people and educators that provides articles and experienced at school or have learnt from STEM
career stories linked to cutting edge STEM research. events like the ones run by the Stemettes. A global
• Forum Talent Potential is a tried-and-tested network to help you learn and get into the STEM
CPD process that builds the capacity of teaching industry – chat with your peers and get advice direct
professionals to create meaningful learning from TeamStemette.
experiences in partnership with local employers and
Loughborough University:
equip young people for life beyond school. It helps
fulfil Gatsby benchmarks for ‘Good Career Guidance’ • HE Unboxed Engineering & Technology KS4.
and Ofsted requirements for a ‘Rich Curriculum’ and
Wow Show:
each child’s ‘Personal Development’, contributing to
school improvement strategies. Find out more with • (Construction Special): The WOW Show is a
the ‘Getting Started Pack’. 30-minute fast-moving interactive magazine
show aimed at creating real-life encounters
which give young people fresh perspectives
on the world of work.
*NB – there may be costs associated with some
of these resource inspiration ideas.
My Learning, My Future careersandenterprise.co.uk 15

Employer engagement
You may wish to invite someone from the world of work in to support you in highlighting the
relevance of your subject to careers. Use the below guidance to help you.

Key Questions Guidance

What are you are

looking to achieve? What are the planned outcome(s)? i.e.

Try and be as clear • For students and parents/carers to understand the relevance of your
and purposeful subject to careers.
as possible when • To encourage students to consider pursuing your subject to GCSE level.
framing an ‘ask’ of • For students to have an insight into key labour market information.
employers
For emotional reasons:
• Personal connection, e.g. they have family at the school or a relative
works at the school or college.
• History, e.g. they are an alumni of the school or college.
What benefits
• Locality, a local employer wants to give something back
would there be to
to the local area.
the employer for
For commercial reasons:
supporting?
• Skills shortages – to attract young people into their industry.
• To help change perceptions of certain industries.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) positioning – being seen to give
something back.
Speak to your Careers Leader to access contacts that already exist in the
school. Try:
• Staff networks (e.g. family, friends, Governors).
• Student networks (parents, relatives).
How to engage an
• Alumni network.
employer?
• Supply chains (IT, Catering, Maintenance).
• If your school or college has an Enterprise Adviser, they may have wider
employer links or suggestions.
• Social media appeal with a clear ask.
Articulate where, when and how the encounter will take place.
Format Would you like someone to create a video/take part in a recorded Q&A or
is this is a physical invitation into a lesson?
How will you evaluate the session and get a temperature check of value
Recording and from students and the employer?
Evaluation Remember to communicate activity and student register to Careers
Leader as this supports Gatsby Benchmark 4 and potentially 5/6.
My Learning, My Future careersandenterprise.co.uk 16

Acknowledgements

With special thanks to the following

organisations for their support and insight into
developing the My Learning, My Future resources:

Amazing Apprenticeships
BBC Bitesize
The Big Bang
Education & Employers, icould
Forum Talent Potential
LMI for All
Loughborough University
National Careers Service
National Careers Week
NHS Careers
Skills Builder Partnership
STEMETTES
STEM Learning
STEM Learning Ltd
The WOW Show
STEM Learning Ltd operates the National STEM
Learning Centre and Network;providing support
locally, through Science Learning Partnerships
across England,and partners in Scotland, Wales
and Northern Ireland; alongside a range of other
projects supporting STEM education.
This is made possible by the generous support
of the Wellcome Trust, Gatsby Foundation,
Department for Education, our partners in
Project ENTHUSE and other funders of related
STEM projects.
STEM Learning is an initiative of the White
Rose University Consortium (comprising the
Universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York) and
Sheffield Hallam University.
My Learning, My Future

If you have any questions about this guide,

contact us at:
[email protected]

Access all resources at:

resources.careersandenterprise.co.uk/
my-learning-my-future

The Careers & Enterprise Company

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Clerkenwell
London EC1R 0DE

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