[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ next_background_color=”#000000″ global_module=”322″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=”322″ menu_id=”7″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” module_class=”main-navigation” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”dark” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ module_class=”header-image-section” _builder_version=”3.0.74″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|” custom_css_main_element=”padding-top:0px” transparent_background=”off” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_margin=”||0px|” parallax_method_1=”off” module_class=”header-image” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/gatewaysresources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/263\/2020\/10\/students-sat-in-lecture-theatre-1400-X-450.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_size=”contain” border_color_all=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”0px|||” animation_direction=”left” use_border_color=”off”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.74″ custom_padding=”||0px|” transparent_background=”off” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_margin=”||0px|” parallax_method_1=”off” module_class=”breadcrumbs-row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Breadcrumbs (do not remove)” module_class=”breadcrumbs” _builder_version=”3.0.87″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left” custom_css_main_element=”border-bottom: 1px solid #ececed;” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\nGateways Resources<\/a><\/span><\/span>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ specialty=”on” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.74″ transparent_background=”off” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar admin_label=”Left Nav Sidebar” area=”et_pb_widget_area_1″ show_border=”off” module_id=”left-nav-menu” _builder_version=”3.0.74″ remove_border=”on”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Skills are important throughout your lifetime, and will be the backbone for your professional and personal life. In this section, we will be looking at why skills are important, how you’re already improving them now in school, and how higher education can help you develop those skills even more!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Some skills are very specific – like knowing how to use a power saw if you’re a builder or carpenter, or knowing how to write computing code if you’re web designer – but for Gateways, we want to focus on more general skills. These are the kinds of skills you can develop and improve in school, in social situations and as part of sports, volunteering or hobbies. These types of skills are also known as transferable skills and you’ll hear us talk about them a lot at Gateways events.\u00a0<\/p>\n You’re developing your transferable skills all the time already!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n On the GSCEs and your options<\/strong> <\/a><\/span>\u00a0page, we talked about why your GCSE subject choices are important, and how the knowledge you gain from them will support your progression into higher level qualifications.<\/p>\n But subject knowledge isn\u2019t the only thing you\u2019ll gain from GCSEs \u2013 you’ll start to build on and improve a whole host of skills that will support you as you progress into further education, higher education, and your chosen career. Having a list of skills that you have developed and are good at will also be really useful if you choose to get a part-time job (after your 16th<\/sup> birthday).<\/p>\n Let’s name some skills and what we mean when talk about them…<\/strong><\/p>\n Can you think of any more skills you may develop whist doing your GCSEs?\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Write them all down (or use the notes section on your phone), keep them somewhere safe, and then use them as and when you need them throughout the next few years\u2026<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/gatewaysresources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/263\/2020\/10\/wise-up-pupils-in-discussion.jpg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”3.17.6″][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n Why is it important to develop skills now?<\/strong><\/p>\n Applying to university is more complex than just meeting the entry requirements with your GCSE results and your A-Level predicted grades – <\/span>students must also show that they have the skills and mind–<\/span>set to succeed on a university course. Students are able to show this through their UCAS application form, and something called a \u2018Personal Statement\u2019.<\/p>\n What is UCAS?<\/strong><\/p>\n UCAS stands for \u2018Universities and Colleges Admissions Service\u2019 and it\u2019<\/span>s the centralised service for students that want to apply for a university or college at higher education level. Y<\/span>ou choose where you want to go to study<\/span>, and then apply on the UCAS website<\/span> via an online application form.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to worry about UCAS too much at this point, but if you want more information then we recommend <\/span>watching<\/span> this video to get a greater understanding of the full UCAS process –\u00a0UCAS How to Apply 2021 Video<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”3.17.6″][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n What is a personal statement?<\/strong><\/p>\n This is a statement \u2013 about a page in length \u2013 that you write to support your application to a university or college. It\u2019s your chance to tell them why you\u2019d like to study your chosen subject, what skills and experience you have to show your passion for the field, and how you possess the ability to succeed at their university. The personal statement is something that your school or college will help you write, and then it\u2019ll be sent off to each college\/university you apply to as part of your application.<\/p>\n Why is it important to think about this now?<\/strong><\/p>\n Your personal statement isn\u2019t just a quick piece of writing you complete in Year 12\/13. It\u2019s something that\u2019s based on experiences that you\u2019ve had throughout your time in school where you can talk about the activities that you\u2019ve done, and ultimately, the skills that you\u2019ve built up as a result of your hard work in school and your extra-curricular activities. This is why it\u2019s important to always consider what skills you\u2019re developing when you do something new (e.g. your GCSEs!).<\/p>\n What other activities\/experiences\/skills will be useful?<\/strong><\/p>\n These are all things that you should keep track of in order to support your personal statement when it comes to writing it. You\u2019ll find skills and knowledge in all of the things you do!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As you learn and study for your GCSEs and A-levels\/BTECs, your skill development will likely be a benefit of successfully completing these qualifications. It\u2019s unlikely that you\u2019ll actively try and build on your skillset, but as you learn how to better manage your time, organise your learning, revise for exams, and take notes, your skillset will grow!<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This is different at higher education level. At this point, students will actively try to build and develop their skills. They\u2019ll create a portfolio of experiences and activities that demonstrate their abilities to potential employers when they begin looking for a job after graduation. Employers will be focused on finding out about your transferable skills.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n What are transferable skills?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As we discussed earlier on this page, transferable skills are a core set of skills and abilities that can be applied to a range of different jobs, industries, and situations (including your personal life!). These skills are valuable to employers as they show if a person is a good fit for a team, what they can bring to a role, and what previous experience they have.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This is a huge benefit of going into higher education because you\u2019re able to build up these skills by studying. You will also have plenty of free time to develop your transferable skills through involvement in societies, volunteering, sports clubs and other extra-curricular activities. When in a full-time job, most people won\u2019t have time to get involved in the number of things you can at higher education level. Here is a list of some of the skills developed in higher education:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\nHigher education and skills development<\/h1>\n
What skills will you develop whilst doing your GCSEs?<\/h3>\n
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Skills and your future<\/h3>\n