Vocational Academy - Business and Professional Studies with IT
Opportunities in the North West
Business skills are highly transferable, which means you could work in any number of industries – good news in the current economic climate. Locally, there are excellent opportunities with local employers in insurance (notably AXA and AI Claims), banking, retail and the leisure industry.
More than 70% of our learners stay on with us to get a university qualification, which allows them to apply for higher level and better paid positions once they leave. Others transfer to another curriculum area, either to widen their skills (eg Computing) or develop expertise in an entirely new area (eg Hairdressing) before going on to set up their own business.
What course should you do
Entry Level/Level 1
If you have not completed a GCSE programme
Level 1
If you have completed a GCSE programme but don’t have the grades specified at Level 2
- Business Administration – Introductory Diploma
Level 2
If you have 4 GCSEs or more at grade D or above or a merit grade at First Certificate/Introductory Diploma
- IT – First Diploma
- Business – First Diploma
- Business Administration
Level 3
If you have 5 GCSEs at grade C or above (including English Language and/or Maths) or a merit grade at First Diploma (eg BTEC)
- Business – National Diploma
- Business Administration
Career Low-Down
| Job area | What they do | How much they earn | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrator | Responsible for providing administrative support for an office or department. | From around £15,000 to over £25,000 a year. | A business/administration qualification or an Apprenticeship. |
| Manager | Help organisations to achieve their goals by managing resources (people, money and materials) and work activities or projects. | £21,000 a year for newlyappointed managers up to £80,000 a year. | Large organisations offer management training schemes, which require a level 3 qualification or a degree. |
| Marketing Executive | Responsible for promoting products and services to increase consumer awareness and boost sales. | From around £22,500 a year for junior marketing executives to £110,000+ for a marketing director. | No set entry routes but a business degree is an advantage. |
| Sales Manager | Organise, motivate and support teams of sales representatives. | From around £19,000 a year to more than £100,000 for senior managers. | A higher education qualification is an advantage. |
| Accounting Technician | Responsible for collecting, checking and analysing financial information. | From approximately £12,500 up to £48,000 a year. | A business qualification. |
Meet the Learner
Name: Kelly McNab
Age: 18
High school: Collegiate
Course: 2nd Year Applied Business ICT
Why here?
I wasn’t sure what to do after school but the staff here were so welcoming and took time to tell me loads about the course.
What’s good?
The time the tutors are prepared to spend with you to ensure you reach your potential.
Favourite thing?
Everything! My teachers were great, I love my friends, I had a good timetable and I like the lessons. Just the whole experience.
What’s next?
Staying at College to do the FD and BA (Hons) in Business Management. I am focused on my future.
