The Countdown to Christmas

#Countdown to x-mas - Day 1 A lot of us celebrate Christmas with tress and festive decorations. Some go natural and others fake. When it comes to fake trees you can separate the job roles into designing, manufacturing and sales; but natural trees would often come directly from a farm and the farming staff are often the sales staff too. Even when the trees are sold in supermarkets or retail chains they would originate from a farm to supply them. As for the decorations: they can also be designed, manufactured and sold on mass to supermarkets or retail chains; but then there are the hand made originals at the Christmas fairs and by independent businesses. * Product Designers often get into the role either through an apprenticeship or degree. Degrees may include: Product Design at the Uni of the arts, London; Product Design and Management at Aston Uni, Birmingham; 3D Design and Craft at Uni of Brighton. * When we look at manufacturing some of the roles include: Production worker; Production Manager; Manufacturing systems engineer. For a production worker you can apply directly or do an apprenticeship, and employers would usually look for a 9-3 ( A*-D) in English and Maths. A production Manager would often work their way up the hierarchy, or enter with appropriate qualifications or experience. Degrees could be: Business and Management at Bath Spa Uni; and Business Management at Uni of Dundee. The Manufacturing Systems Engineer could be achieved either through an apprenticeship or degree. The apprentice route would expect grades 9-4 ( A*- C) in English and Maths. There are FE courses in manufacturing engineering which would have different entry requirements, but could lead into a degree, as could A-levels. A degree could be: Manufacturing Engineering at Uni of Hertfordshire; and Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the Uni Centre Peterborough. * Sales you can go into directly or by apprenticeship. * Farm staff can go into directly, apprenticeships or sometimes people study degrees like: Agriculture with farm business management at Harper Adams Uni; and Horticulture (Plant Science) at Duchy College. * Independent businesses could learn in a variety of ways. It could be a hobby that they decide to make a business, Further Education or part time studies, and even degrees in associated subjects. There are so may roles and routes into them, but I've narrowed it down and just given a few. #learning #careers #somanyways

#Countdown to x-mas – Day 2 For a lot of us, a big part of Christmas is buying and giving gifts. Some of us will hit the high street stores, some people will visit Christmas Markets, pop-up shops and others will go to a lot of online stores. When it comes to what we put the gifts in, this too can vary. This year I learned of the Christmas Eve box, I would assume you would place little treats for people in these. Some people will use festive boxes for the main gifts, others use festive bags, and a lot of us will use festive wrapping paper, tags, ribbons and bows. The high street stores you can separate the job roles into designing, manufacturing and sales, which could also be said for some of the online stores; but the independent businesses at the Christmas Markets, pop-up shops and that also sell online could include the roles above or be one person/two people doing a number of roles. See yesterdays post for the information on Product design, manufacturing, and sales roles. Due to independent businesses coming from a vast range of training and roles, I’m going to share some information on people I know that have their own businesses, and a great platform that hosts independent businesses: • https://www.etsy.com - If it’s handcrafted, vintage, custom or unique, it’s on Etsy. I have to say some of the products are so unique, and there is so much variety with it being international. The platform itself makes it a more secure environment. • https://www.trixxi.co.uk/ - The sell personalised gifts, wedding gifts, and other celebration gifts. I have brought a few products from them and been very pleased. http://www.fudgegloriousfudge.com – There are a huge range of homemade and handmade fudge available. They have very different flavours (I tried lemon meringue, which was lush!) and provide them in a variety of ways. Shapes of flowers and the German cake stood out to me!! Something different, a box of hand crafted fudge for Christmas. • www.barinderdesigns.co.uk – is a range of products usually made with cotton or silk. The designs are original and inspired by nature and Japanese Art from the 17th and 18th Century. They will also make them specific to what the client would like. • https://www.ilgusto.com – In Nottingham this is a pop-up shop that has a selection of different flavoured liquors, sparkling wine, unique alcoholic drink, and unique bottles. Although they have stores all over the UK, they are not what you would deem a high street store. Definitely some unique gifts available. • https://OrganisedWell.co.uk – professional de-clutterer and organising service. If you’re anything like me, trying to find somewhere to put everyone’s Christmas gift can be a bit of a pain and quite time consuming. Paying somebody to come and do it, or attending a workshop to learn how to organise better and de-clutter may be the way forward. Even better though, you can buy gift vouchers to give as gift.  The owners of the above entered it in different ways (for privacy purposes I cannot stipulate). These include: Personnel and development Degree; GCSE Art; Degree in Art; Degree in Behavioural Science; Passion for the work. There is so much to share, but I've tried to keep it short!

#Countdown to x-mas – Day 3 Celebrations at this time of year; whether this be parties, events, or Christmas dinner; encourages a lot of people to go out and buy a new outfit, get there hair done, and sometimes have make-up and nails done too. A lot of people will hit the high street stores to buy their new outfit, or go to an independent boutique. Then there's those that hit the fancy dress shop. Although there will be similar roles to the previous two posts, there would also be fashion designers, fabric cutters, machinist, seamstress/tailor, and embroiders. There are more and more mobile hairdressers/stylists, nail technicians, make-artists and beauticians, as well as the salons too. * Fashion/costume design would usually require a FE course in design and textiles (course names will vary), a degree: Costume and Performance Design at Arts Uni Bournemouth; Fashion Design at Regents Uni London; Fashion Design and Product Innovation at York Uni. Other options could be an apprenticeship, but exact role would vary, or a specialist course. * Hairdressing/styling, nail technician, make-up artists and beauticians have very similar routes into the job roles. These are usually apprenticeships, specific FE courses, and specialist curses/training.

#Countdown to x-mas – Day 4 Christmas celebrations often come with party’s to celebrate and/or meals in restaurants for a lot of people, with family/friends/work colleagues. Most of the time this would involve going to certain venues; excluding house parties and parties in the office; specific to what people need and want. This could be visiting different bars, a sit down meal in an independent restaurant/chain restaurant, and organised party in a function room or party venue. In Nottingham there is a company that put marquees up to host Christmas parties; food, drink and entertainment included; which is called ‘Midnight in Monte Carlo’ this year by best parties ever. Although there are many different places you can go, and ways to have your own celebrations, they all have a running theme when it comes to job roles. In the bars and restaurants (whether they are part of a chain or independent) would include bar and waiting staff, supervisors and managers, chefs, and pot washers. Part events and function rooms would have virtually the same, but may get a catering company in, but they would also have similar roles within them. Here are some of the entry routes: • Pot washers – apply for directly. • Bar and waiting staff – apply for directly, FE course in hospitality or catering (course names can vary), or an apprenticeship. • Chef – FE course in professional cooking/professional chefs (a different course name, but with the same purpose), or an apprenticeship. • Supervisor and management – working your way up the hierarchy of staff with in house training, FE course in Hospitality supervision and leadership, or a degree: International tourism and hospitality management at the Uni of Bedfordshire; Hospitality Business Management at the Manchester Metropolitan Uni; or Hospitality Management and the Culinary Arts at the NPTC Group. However, some people do get the lease and buy bars/pubs/restaurants without these qualifications, but would usually have some experience in the sector. There are also part-time courses available which can help you along the way, particularly food hygiene.

#Countdown to x-mas – Day 5 The Pantomime can be a great treat for many over the Christmas period. I have to say that it is something I enjoy with my own children. There are sometimes other festive musicals/plays. This year we saw Maria Carey bring her Christmas show to the UK. Although there are various roles within the Theatre itself, I’m going to focus on the roles of the singers, dancers and actors. • Actors – There are many private acting/drama groups that children/youngpeople/adults can join as a hobby that can lead into a career. GCSE’s and A-levels in drama/performing Arts can also be a good stepping stone to further training, or even careers for some. FE courses in Performing Arts (other course names with the same purpose) can be another great stepping stone. Specialist colleges that offer drama, and performing arts (or a similar course title) courses are available and also have great leads into careers in the role. A huge variety of degrees are available to include: Drama and Theatre Studies at Aberystwyth University; Performing Arts - Acting, Dance and Singing at BIMM; and Drama, Theatre and Performance at Lancaster Uni. • Singing – Like acting, there are many private singing groups that children/young people/adults can join as a hobby that can lead into a career. FE courses may have an element of singing in them, amongst other things. The degrees available include: Musical Theatre at Edge Hill University; Popular Music Performance at University Centre Grimsby; and BA Creative Musicianship (Vocals). • Dancing - Like singing and acting, there are many private dancing groups that children/young people/adults can join as a hobby that can lead into a career. Courses in Dance at FE can be a great stepping stone to other courses, HE, or careers. Specialist colleges that offer dance (or a similar course title) courses are available and also have great leads into careers in the role. Some of the degrees available are: Professional and Commercial Dance at The Uni of Bolton; Dance at Uni of Chester; and Creative Expressive Therapies (Dance) at the Uni of Derby.

#Countdown to x-mas – Day 6 As it’s now the final day of the countdown to Christmas for us here at PCAGS, I wanted to think about those that are less fortunate. Christmas can be a very difficult time for some people, whether it is struggling to buy gifts for loved ones, feeling very lonely during the Christmas period, or having trouble paying the bills to keep the house warm during this cold season. My local Church has an open house during the lunch period on Christmas day free for anyone that is lonely. I also know of a few pubs in the Nottinghamshire area welcoming lonely people, particularly the elderly for a free lunch on Christmas day. But what about everywhere else? Here are some free charities that offer support to different people: • www.themix.org.uk/ - for people aged 13 to 25 years to chat and get support. • campaigntoendloneliness.org.uk – is aimed at people in senior life. • communitynetworkprojects.org – bringing people together to create friendships in senior life. • The British Red Cross – To support anyone in need. • https://charity.lovetoknow.com/Charity_Christmas_Assistance - support for people on low income to celebrate Christmas. • www.fareshare.org.uk/ - helping to feed people in need. • salvationarmyappeals.org.uk/ - help all in need, particularly the homeless.