South Bank Colleges (SBC) Careers Programme sets out the College’s career development offer in line with the government's Careers Strategy: Making the Most of Everyone’s Skills and Talents and the statutory guidance for governing bodies, school leaders and staff: Careers Guidance: Guide for Colleges. The Programme is designed to meet the eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance.

About Us

South Bank Colleges (SBC) is a Further Education college situated across the Borough of Lambeth in South London. It consists of two Colleges: Lambeth College and London South Bank Technical College (LSBTC). Teaching and learning take place across three sites located in Clapham, Brixton (Lambeth College), and Nine Elms (LSBTC).

Just over 40% of the College’s students reside in Lambeth, with approximately 30% living in neighbouring London boroughs. There are around 10,000 students enrolled on full-time and part-time courses.

South Bank Colleges is part of the London South Bank University Group, creating a unique partnership that provides SBC students with an exceptional route into graduate careers.

LSBTC specialises in STEAM subjects: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths (IT and Computing). Lambeth College offers Entry 1 to Level 3 Essential Skills and vocational training programmes across sectors including Accounting, Business, Counselling, Early Years, English and Maths, ESOL, Hair and Beauty, Hospitality and Catering, Performing Arts, and Sport.

• Aims of Career Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) at South Bank Colleges

  London South Bank Technical College (LSBTC) offers technology-based education within an innovative, employer-led learning environment. Industry partnerships ensure that students gain access to the latest sector insights and employer networks.

  Lambeth College continues to serve as a vital community provider, offering career development support to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, those for whom English is an additional language, and young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs).

  At SBC, student success is at the heart of everything we do. Our Career Programme aligns to the following strategic objectives:

  • Helping students make informed career decisions by offering impartial, accurate, up-to-date CEIAG, and opportunities to explore the world of work and higher education.
  • Unlocking the talent of every student by raising aspirations and supporting them to realise their dreams.
  • Proactively encouraging success through a culture of recognition, reward, and high expectations.
  • Enabling students to understand the full range of vocational and academic learning pathways.
  • Motivating students through meaningful engagement with employers, apprenticeships, and universities.
  • Demonstrating the relevance of college courses to real-world career opportunities.
  • Developing 'Skills for Career Success' in partnership with Career Ready, ensuring students acquire key employability skills.
  • Providing access to up-to-date Labour Market Information (LMI).
  • Highlighting the connection between personal and professional development.
  • Promoting the importance of English and Maths as essential employability skills.
  • Creating a stimulating, modern learning environment with clear expectations and high standards.

  We are committed to shaping a highly motivated and skilled future workforce.

• Career Development Services on Offer to Students

  The Career Development service, managed by the Employer Engagement Manager and overseen by the Careers Leader (Director of Student Engagement and Wellbeing), was rated as "Good" in the latest Ofsted inspection. Students can access individual appointments with qualified careers advisers, subject-specific advice, and career development events.

  The Careers service is Matrix-accredited and impartial guidance is delivered by a Careers Development Coordinator, who holds a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development, and is a registered member of the Career Development Institute (CDI).

  Students can access a wide range of CEIAG activities including:

  1. Annual Higher Education Fair hosting over 30 universities.
  2. One-to-one and group careers guidance sessions, Monday to Friday.
  3. Weekly tutorials with Learner Development Coaches focusing on career success skills.
  4. University preparation workshops including UCAS applications, student finance, and transition support.
  5. Personal Statement surgeries from October to January.
  6. Apprenticeship seminars and internal apprenticeship opportunities.
  7. Workplace and university visits, external fairs, and taster sessions.
  8. Weekly careers news updates via digital channels, plasma screens, and tutorials.
  9. Career Ready internship programme including mentoring, masterclasses, and six-week paid internships.
  10. South Bank Colleges Ambassador Programme offering customer service experience and leadership skills.
  11. Ernst & Young ‘Our Future’ programme offering a CMI Level 2 qualification, paid work experience, and mentoring.
  12. Targeted career support for lone parents through motivational conferences and workshops.
  13. Career talks and employability masterclasses linked to major national campaigns and awareness months.
  14. STEAM Week activities promoting STEAM career opportunities.
  15. Access to the Careers Library with university prospectuses and guides.

• Employer Links

  Our Work Experience programme, led by the Employer Engagement Manager, provides students with invaluable employability skills through:

  • Work experience placements linked to Study Programmes.
  • Pop-Up Shop initiatives supporting young entrepreneurs.
  • Talks from visiting industry professionals across sectors.
  • Dedicated Employer Engagement structures within each curriculum area.

  South Bank Colleges actively participates in career cluster initiatives and partners with Lambeth Council and London South Bank University.

• University Partnerships

  Partnerships with universities are a cornerstone of SBC’s career development offer, ensuring strong progression routes and broadening access to higher education.

  Through our partnership with London South Bank University, students benefit from:

  • Enhanced HE progression support including personal statement workshops.
  • Guaranteed places at university subject experience days.
  • Guest lectures and transition support events.

  We maintain strong links with many HE institutions, including:

  • London South Bank University
  • University of Kent
  • King’s College London
  • City, University of London
  • Goldsmiths, University of London
  • Middlesex University
  • University of Sussex
  • University of Hertfordshire
  • And many more

• Equality and Diversity

  Equal access to Careers provision is central to SBC’s mission. We challenge stereotypes and support students in aligning career choices to their skills and interests through targeted enrichment activities, inclusive guidance, and specialised support for SEN students through coordinated care plans.

• CEIAG Roles and Responsibilities

  • Careers Leader: Director of Student Engagement and Wellbeing – oversees the careers strategy and Gatsby Benchmark achievement.
  • Head of Student Development: Manages tutorial delivery and the Careers Development Coordinator.
  • Careers and Progression Coordinator: Coordinates and delivers career services.
  • Learning Development Coaches: Deliver tutorials embedding career development themes.
  • Employer Engagement Team: Lead on work experience and employer engagement initiatives.
  • Faculty Directors and Teaching Staff: Integrate careers education into the curriculum and liaise with the Careers team.

• Monitoring and Evaluation

  CEIAG provision is regularly monitored through Matrix accreditation, Compass evaluations against the Gatsby Benchmarks, learner voice activities, professional observations, and self-assessment reports to ensure continuous improvement.