Decisions at 18 2010 - Flexibility for careers of the future20 April 2010 - 22 April 2010

Mr Mike Chant

Presenter Organisation

University of Glamorgan

Presenter Job

HE Adviser

Sessions & Workshops

Expanding HE horizons from vocational level 3 courses
Personal statements and things I wish I'd known

Biography

Following a PGCE in careers guidance and a short teaching career, Mike retrained at the University of Reading before enjoying almost 30 years of progression to HE guidance, support and training with the Careers Service, and latterly Connexions. Throughout that period, activities included secondments with UCAS and Aimhigher, alongside development of support materials for UCAS Conventions and for HE-related careers education and guidance.

Since taking a more independent approach to working life in 2005, Mike has continued to support the progression to HE agenda, particularly as schools and colleges liaison representative for the University of Glamorgan, working exclusively on the eastern side of the Welsh/English border. The challenges of advising a ‘hi-tec' generation whose defining life events and influences are so very different from those of his own at least enable advice based on experience to be tempered with care and even wariness when responding to the needs, values and expectations of today's young applicants to HE. 

He continues to work closely with UCAS and for many years has, with Rob Brown, written and co-edited GIGO (Getting In, Getting On) - practical researched exercises incorporated into the UCAS portfolio of support material for students and their advisers.  Mike and Rob are currently contributing to the WVLLN (Western Vocational Lifelong Learning Network) agenda, supporting materials and activities designed to enhance progression of/for vocational level 3 students as well as part-time and mature progression to HE.