Most A-level students aim to start university or college in autumn
‘Strong interest’ in seasonal work picking produce
ONE OF the UK’s largest producers of vegetables has reported “strong interest” in seasonal roles from jobseekers who have lost work due to the coronavirus pandemic.
G’s Growers said travel restrictions imposed as a result of Covid-19 have made it difficult to recruit seasonal workers from countries such as Bulgaria and Romania. The company, which has its head office in Cambridgeshire, launched its Feed Our Nation campaign last week in a drive to recruit more seasonal workers from the UK.
It is trying to fill more than 2,500 vacancies, offering more than £400 per week.
Anthony Gardiner, marketing director at G’s, said: “We’ve had a strong interest from students, people from the hospitality and leisure industry who were hit first and some people who were independent contractors.”
MORE THAN four in five A-level students are still planning to start university or college this autumn despite disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, a survey suggests.
The findings, published by Ucas, came after this summer’s GCSE and A-level exams were cancelled in a bid to slow the spread of Covid-19. Instead, pupils’ grades will be based on teacher assessment.
The majority of applicants studying A-levels (86 per cent) have not changed their mind about wanting to study in higher education this year, according to the universities’ admissions service.
But five per cent of school leavers are currently planning on sitting their exams in the autumn term.
The poll, carried out by Ucas and YouthSight, questioned 500 A-level students who have applied
CLARE MARCHANT: Says students are still setting sights on exciting futures that lie ahead.
to study at UK universities and colleges in the autumn.
Three in five respondents have chosen their first choice of university, with the majority of those choosing a conditional offer - an offer that is dependent on achieving specified grades.
Just over a quarter (27 per cent) have received all their offers but they are still waiting to make their firm choice, as deadlines have been extended to give them more time to make decisions about their futures.
Applicant behaviour in this year’s cycle is currently consistent with previous years, with no significant moves to defer entry, according to Ucas.
Clare Marchant, Ucas’s chief executive, said: “Our immediate insight during these extraordinary circumstances shows students are keeping their sights on the exciting futures that lie ahead for them at university or college.”
Ofqual is expected to outline the process it will follow to ensure that GCSE and A-level grades are fair across schools and colleges by Easter. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “We are pleased to see that most applicants have not changed their mind about wanting to start university or college this autumn, and we would emphasise that there is no need for anybody to alter their plans.