Posted:
25th September 2020 - 11:00am
Until you are 18, you must do one of the following:
- Stay in full-time education, for example at a college
- Start an apprenticeship or traineeship
- Spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training.
So, consider all of the options in detail and see which suits you best:
- A Levels – Level 3, 3 two-year courses studying academic subjects with exams
- T Level – Level 3, 1 two-year work-related course with 20% of the time in a job
- Applied general qualification – Level 3, 1 work-related course
- Technical and vocational qualifications – Level 1+, 1-3 work-related course/s
- Exam retakes – Level 1 & 2, maths and English + some colleges offer more
- Supported internship – study and work for young people with an EHCP
- Apprenticeship – Levels 2-7, a job with 20% of the time studying
- Traineeship - a course of up to 6 months with work experience
- School leaver scheme – a job with training, often with a large employer.
Have a think about:
- Do you know what career you would like?
- Do you have a hobby that could become a career?
- Which qualifications and experience do you need for that career?
- How many jobs are there locally at the end of a course/apprenticeship?
- Which level is right for your predicted grades?
- What are you best at and enjoy most?
- Do you prefer practical or classroom lessons?
- Do you prefer exams or coursework?
- Do you have an EHCP due to a disability?
- Are you work ready?
- Are you ready to work for 30-40 hours a week?
What to avoid:
- Aiming too high or too low
- Doing what others want, if it is not right for you
- Following stereotypes
- Travelling a long way without good reason
- Not looking at the course/apprenticeship details
- Not thinking it through
- Missing deadlines.
If you need further information, advice and guidance you could:
- Speak to a Careers Advisor
- Look on the National Careers Service website
- Look at the Gov website
- Look at local college websites and attend any talks or open days
- Talk to the people who know you about what would suit you best
- Give it some thought.
Careers information, advice and guidance is available at Loughborough College.
You can email Sue Mason, the Careers Officer on: careers@loucoll.ac.uk and ask for assistance with choosing a career; choosing a course for next year at college, university or another training provider; writing a CV or personal statement; applying for a job or apprenticeship; planning a gap year; or anything else related to your future study or employment. We are here to help you to progress.