Careers and employability
Careers advice and guidance is embedded in all out Post-16 courses. At HCA you will get first-hand insight and experience of the creative industries - and guidance from our accredited Information, Advice and Guidance Service to help you find a career you will love.
How we focus on your future career at HCA
Internal live briefs
Work on real-life projects designed replicate briefs you would work on as a professional. Develop ideas, collaborate with other students and deliver a final product to a real deadline.
Talks from industry and employers
Tap in to HCA's extensive professional network and get first-hand insight on where your industry is now - and where it's headed. Ask the questions that matter to you, and start to work out what sector you might like to specialise in.
Off-site projects
Work for a real 'client' on a project. Build your own professional portfolio and confidence - with the full support of your teaching team.
Specialist workshops
As an HCA student you can advantage of masterclasses from high-level creative professionals. Visiting professionals often share specific, specialist skills or techniques that you can use in your own work.
Industry-standard resources
Every day at HCA you will be able to take advantage of studios and workshops that have been designed to mirror the kit and facilities you will work with ass a professional. Build your confidence and your skills, and master up-to-the-minute software and kit with the support of technical specialists.
I understand the bigger picture now. Before coming here I didn't understand how the industry worked - but since coming here I've got an understanding that I need to do this, to get this job. Or apply for this to get in there. Now I know what I'm doing and I know the teachers here are going to help me. I've got enough information - and I'll learn more.
Alexandra Birring - Performing & Production Arts
I think it's good to have experience in what you want to do in the future. Being in a creative industry, you're going to want to market your own things and your own identity so it's good to learn all the basics. Coming here has set me up with building a good portfolio.
Matilda Weyman-Hall - Art, Design and Communication
I did a project in partnership with the Alzheimer's Society where we learned about drama therapy and performed to people in care homes. It was really interesting to see how theatre can help people with disabilities or illnesses
Evie Slater-Jones - Performing and Production Arts
The Pop-Up Shop project is all about throwing yourself at it and producing, making what you're enthusiastic about. You are learning about how to sell your work - and that's really important for when you go into the big, wide world as an artist.
Molly Cheshire - Art, Design & Communication
There are so many different ways you can go about 'art. There are so many different avenues and it's been nice to see those avenues available to me at the college.
Melissa Sanders - Art, Design & Communication
Our team
Careers services at HCA
Your careers advisor
HCA employs a professionally-qualified Careers Adviser, who offers careers dducation, information, advice and guidance to any student who requests it throughout their course of study with us. The CEIAG Policy and Careers programme is designed to meet the needs of students and to propel the College to achieving all of the Gatsby Benchmarks.
Contact our Careers Adviser, Gail Kilminster
matrix certified
Our Careers programme and Information, Advice and Guidance services are accredited by the matrix Standard and our team is always on hand to provide information, advice and guidance to students. matrix is the Department for Education's standard for ensuring the highest-quality delivery of advice for students.
More about the Matrix StandardA frequently asked questions style resource for apprenticeships has been launched, full of answers to the most commonly asked questions by teachers, students and parents.
- Many of us can feel out of our depth talking to our children about jobs and how to get started in their career. But, talking to your child really matters and can make a real difference to their future.
- Think about what motivates your child, what they’re good at and the skills which employers will find valuable.
- There are lots of careers out there that you may not know much about but you don’t need to.
- It’s okay not to have all the answers, and to learn about new options with your child.
If you are considering progressing to a degree course, check out the UCAS site. All students have to apply online via the website which contains information about all the courses and universities available. You can also check out our degree courses at HCA.
If you are exploring options other than going university then check out the Not Going to Uni website. It has information on School Leaver Schemes, Apprenticeships and Sponsored Degrees. .GOV also has a site dedicated to vocational training, which contains helpful information about apprenticeships. All vacancies are advertised on this website and you apply online through the site. Register to receive vacancy updates. Click here for more info.
Yourspaceonline allows you to explore information about a range of course and career options. It also offers links to industry specific careers information and websites where you can find job and apprenticeship vacancies.
The National Careers Service helps you to choose or change career, complete skills tests, run course and job searches, and provides personalised help from careers advisers. Free phone 0800 100 900 to speak to an adviser.
icould is an easy to use website which lets you explore careers based on the subjects you enjoy. You can watch video clips of people talking about their jobs and get information about education and training.
- There also many volunteering opportunities available, read more here.
More online resources
Creative Lives in Progress
A hub of advice and opportunities curated by creative professionals in the UK. CLICK HERE and check it out.
Discover Creative Careers
Discover Creative Careers is an industry-led programme that is working to ensure there is a larger and more diverse intake of talent via a broader range of routes into the creative industries. It is funded by DCMS, with additional support from Arts Council England. CLICK HERE to check out their vast Career Finder tool.
Amazing apprenticeships
CLICK HERE for a a diverse video series featuring apprentices talking about their experiences working for the likes of BBC and Coca-Cola.
Career mag (Parent/Guardian resource)
A magazine that guides parents and guardians through the maze of post-16 and post-18 options, so they can strike up the best career conversations with your children using our expert advice and resources. CLICK HERE to check it out.
Wonder What - Common Misconceptions
This accessible five-video series interviews current creative professionals about common misconceptions around working in the sector. CLICK HERE to watch them now.
Arts Jobs
An extensive job listing and events site ran by Arts Council England. CLICK HERE to check it out.
Creative Access
Creative Access is the UK’s leading inclusivity organisation in the creative industries. They are impact-driven and have a mission to build a creative economy which reflects the society it serves. Check out some of their Career Support packages HERE.
The Apprenticeship Guide
Search by subject, interest or sector to find an apprenticeship that is right for you. CLICK HERE to use their apprenticeship finder.
Businesses are clear that first and foremost they want to recruit young people with attitudes and attributes such as resilience, enthusiasm and creativity.
CBI + Pearson, 'Educating for the Modern World'
Impact
Try WonderWhat and find out where a creative career could take you
Pick five images you like and Wonder What will suggest some careers for you - or talk to a AI Chat Assistant and let it help you out. This amazing careers tool was developed in 2023 by one of HCA's creative partners, Bond and Coyne.
Try Wonder What