Hazelwood College has achieved the ‘Quality in Careers Standard Award’ overseen by the awarding body Investors in Careers. This will enable our Careers Education, Information , Advice and Guidance programme (CEIAG) to fully meet all 8 Gatsby benchmarks ensuring a positive impact on career learning outcomes.
All staff and governors are committed to give full recognition to the importance of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance to enable our students to develop the necessary skills to make informed decisions about their future career paths.
Mr Stuart Cole is Head of Careers and Mrs Aine Morgan is the Careers Co-Ordinator. However all staff will contribute to CEIAG through their roles as Heads of Departments and Subject Teachers.
The aims of the CEAIG policy cover 3 main areas:
1. Self-Awareness and Development – Identify an awareness of their skills, qualities and achievements based on their experiences and explore the changing attitudes in the world of work, training and education
2. Career Exploration – Identify, investigate and explore the extent and diversity of local, national and international opportunities available in education, and training.
3. Career Management – Develop career plans which take into account self-awareness, development, achievement and experience and knowledge of career exploration opportunities.
Explore LMI data
Interested in the labour market and want labour market information?
Here you can find out where to get more information and intelligence of the UK labour market.
Northern Ireland Skills Barometer Report 2021
Click here to read the current Northern Ireland Skills Barometer Report 2021
Skillsometer can help you discover what jobs you might like to do in the future. Once you have completed the quiz you will be presented with some headline UK data for the jobs that linked to what you most enjoy doing.
Careerometer can be used to explore and compare key information about occupations, help you learn about different occupations and identify potential careers. It provides access to a selection of UK headline data relating to pay, weekly hours of work and future employment prospects for different occupations, as well as description of the occupation.
Ulster University Outreach Academy
An extensive range of free online subject specific courses for Key Stage 3-5. Click here to access the courses.
Alumni Stories
Jack White
2008-2015
I left Hazelwood in 2015 and have since studied Law with Politics at Queens University Belfast, obtaining First Class Honours and 2 scholarships. I was fortunate to be taught by some of the country’s leading legal and political academics and practitioners, gaining invaluable experience and insight into the legal profession and current legal/political debates. I also arranged work experience with a local solicitor firm alongside a mentoring placement with a Barrister.
Since leaving Queens, I have been working in a Financial Planning firm and studying to become a Chartered Financial Planner. I have recently completed my professional Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and have further exams to complete to be fully qualified.
Jodie Macfarlane
2009-2015
Since leaving Hazelwood in 2015, I have attended Queens University Belfast to study Psychology and obtained a 2:1. Whilst studying I also volunteered for a local community group in which we won a Families First Award in 2019. Following Queens, I began an Internship with HSCNI - I was placed within the Social Work Governance Team for Older Peoples Services in the Belfast Trust. This was a challenging yet insightful experience which has helped equip me for my current role.
I now work as a Human Resource and Organisational Development Graduate Management Trainee Scheme with HSCNI. My first position is with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and I will complete two further placements in order to get a varied experience of HSC services across NI. Whilst working, I have also been given the opportunity to study for a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management with Ulster University.
Gavin Whyte
2007-2013
As a student at Hazelwood Integrated College, the two subjects I studied and enjoyed the most were PE and LLW. After school I went to BMC to study Sport Science and play football in their Football Academy and that is when I sort of knew I could make a career in football. I studied there for two years and then signed a contract for Crusaders at 18. I had a few simple jobs here and there to keep me going and then I got a move to Oxford United when I was 21 where I signed a professional contract. After doing quite well there in my first year I got a move to Cardiff and also got a call up to the Northern Ireland national team. Looking back at school I probably should have worked harder so my advice to current students would be to work hard and try to learn as much as possible because it leaves you in good stead for the future. Final word, school days are indeed the best days of your life.
Alyssa Genn Asuncion
2010-2013
My favourite memory was going to the study room! Catherine has indeed made that place a safe haven for us. My English class with Mr Hagan was also something I always looked forward to. After leaving Hazelwood, I went ahead to acquire an English degree, followed by a master's in TESOL. Currently, I am an analyst in an accounting firm. I am planning to further pursue a PhD. I wouldn't be where I am had it not been for my teachers' support while I was still in Hazelwood.
Colin McCrory-Martin
2000-2006
There are too many memories to list, but my amazing relationship with the bulk of the staff, especially the wonderful Anne Mclaughlin from English. After leaving Hazelwood, I started my first job in call centres like most people do, didn't pursue further education (my biggest regret in life) then moved to a Vodafone call centre in England, moving back home to work in the Vodafone store. I then took up a job as an assistant manager in a Virgin Media store where I spent a decade of my working life. I still work for Virgin but as an account manager, looking after estate agents and larger accounts such as Currys within the entire Northern Ireland and Birmingham area. Despite not going to Uni, I have made a very successful career with Virgin.
