Age 16

There are so many options, where do you start? Do you want to find a job, earn while you learn, study for a vocational or academic qualification?

Have a think about the choices available to you and what YOU really want to do.

You may have a particular career in mind but if you don’t then what will be useful to you when you do decide?

Remember no training or study is every wasted it just adds to your range of skills and experience.

These are your choices:

College or 6th form

ou may have to apply somewhere else to study further whatever course you are thinking of, or if you just fancy a change.

There are loads of different courses available so don’t just restrict yourself to A or AS levels. Look at courses related to jobs like catering, business studies, construction, art and design as well.

Contact your local colleges to see what’s going on near you!

• You can get a prospectus or look up courses online.
• Remember there could be some financial help available in the shape of Educational Maintenance Allowances [link to money section]

It would be a shame to miss out on a really good course and there’s no harm in looking.

Training

You could look at work based training, where you work, study part time and get paid.

For some jobs you can start training straight after year 11 for example motor mechanic, chef and careers in construction or building jobs like plumbing or bricklaying.

Start thinking whether you would prefer this option and talk to your Personal Adviser. Find out as much as you can about the training involved and sort of work it could lead to. This could be the ideal training route for you.

For more information go to www.apprenticeships.org.uk

For more information on your options after year 11 go to: www.connexions.gov.uk/itsyourchoice or check out our Choices booklet.