This fast-paced, practical workshop explores five high-impact areas of further education careers practice. Through real-world examples, discussion and reflection, participants will consider how to make the most of data, strengthen engagement with parents and alumni, enhance work experience opportunities, and maximise the effectiveness of careers guidance.
The session focuses on simple, realistic actions that can be implemented immediately, helping Career Leaders drive greater impact for learners without increasing workload.
Key Themes
- Using data to inform and improve careers provision
- Engaging parents as partners in career development
- Harnessing alumni networks to inspire and support learners
- Creating meaningful work experience beyond qualification requirements
- Prioritising quality and impact in one-to-one guidance conversations
Session Aim
To support FE careers professionals in maximising impact through focused, high-quality approaches to data, engagement and delivery.
Session Outcomes
By the end of the session, participants will:
- Identify 2-3 practical ways to improve the use of data within their setting.
- Gain quick-win strategies for engaging parents and alumni.
- Understand how to create meaningful work experience opportunities beyond qualification requirements.
- Reflect on how to prioritise quality and impact in one-to-one careers guidance.
Meet your Workshop Facilitators
Dionne Webber
Dionne is an experienced education leader with over 10 years’ experience transforming careers education across secondary and further education, underpinned by an earlier leadership career in financial services. Her commitment to supporting young people began through mentoring programmes, where she saw first-hand the life-changing impact of confidence, aspiration and opportunity, inspiring a career dedicated to helping young people realise their potential.
Since moving into education, Dionne has qualified as a Level 6 Careers Development Professional and has led careers provision at both school and multi-academy trust level. She has also contributed to national pilot programmes for the Careers Impact System and the Equalex Framework, supporting the strategic development and evaluation of careers education. Through her leadership, she has championed consistent, high-quality careers provision that enables young people to make informed and ambitious choices about their futures.
Dionne is now Head of Careers and Destinations at Wigan & Leigh College, where she leads a multidisciplinary team spanning Course Advice, Admissions, Careers and Work Placements. Together, they support learners throughout their journey, from initial engagement and guidance through to successful progression into higher education, apprenticeships and employment, with careers advice and guidance embedded throughout the learner experience.
Dionne believes careers education should do more than provide information, it should create meaningful experiences that build confidence, develop skills and encourage young people to learn through exploration and reflection. She is particularly passionate about helping learners develop the social capital needed to succeed, enabling them to understand the unwritten rules of the workplace, build professional networks and confidently navigate their next steps.
Kathrynn O’Neill
Kathryn O’Neill has worked in further education since 1998, building a career that spans education marketing, admissions, student recruitment, careers education and strategic leadership. She began her FE career at Warrington Collegiate, where she spent 11 years developing extensive experience in student recruitment and the student admissions journey.
In 2009, Kathryn joined Wigan & Leigh College, initially leading student recruitment and enhancing the applicant experience. Over time, her responsibilities expanded to include careers education, work placements and information, advice and guidance (IAG) services, bringing these areas together within the college’s award-winning FAB Futures team. FAB Futures reflects the college’s ambition to support learners to be Focussed, Ambitious and Bright as they progress through education and into employment.
As the college’s Careers Lead until recently, Kathryn developed and implemented a whole-college careers strategy, embedding careers education as a strategic priority across the organisation. Her work has focused on ensuring all students have access to high-quality careers guidance, meaningful employer engagement and work-related learning opportunities that support successful progression into higher education, apprenticeships and employment.
Kathryn is passionate about the role that careers education plays in improving student outcomes and helping young people make informed decisions about their futures. She continues to champion collaborative approaches that connect curriculum, employers and careers professionals to deliver outstanding career development opportunities for students.
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