Careers

All young people must stay in some form of 'learning' until either their 18^th birthday or when they achieve a level 3 qualification such as 2 A levels or similar. This is known as ‘Raising the Participation Age’ or RPA.

What this means for you ....you must choose one of the following:

• An Apprenticeship

• Full-time education in school or college

• Employment, self-employment, volunteering (including caring), or an internship for at least 20 hours a week, for more than 8 weeks, and attend part-time learning for the equivalent of 1 day per week.

Why is this better for you?

You will have better job prospects and increased earnings over your lifetime. For example, getting a level 2 Apprenticeship by £73,000, and a level 3 Apprenticeship increases earnings by an estimated £105,000. The opportunities for unskilled work are shrinking drastically, so choosing an option will help you compete and hold down work in the future.

Recent research shows that getting at least 5 9-1 grades at GCSE opens the door to higher earnings. Read more here.

Earning & Learning

If you are not on an Apprenticeship, but are employed, you will need to either:

• Train towards an accredited qualification as part of that job, or

• Enrol on an accredited part-time course for the equivalent of 1 day per week in addition to your job.

Where can I find out more about the local labour market?

For more information speak with Mr Jackman, Careers Lead. To understand the local labour market view the latest Berkshire Labour Market Update 
To understand specific job sectors within the Thames Valley, Berkshire area click here

Deciding on your career

Events & Advice - useful careers web sites and advice services, the latest on careers events, college open days in the area, company events, preparing a CV, wowing at interviews etc.

Jobs & Training - current job vacancies (including part time), those advertised in local newspapers, and links to companies recruiting. Help with applications & CVs. Advice for school leavers. See also Apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships - links to the current vacancies and how to apply.

Volunteering - expand your CV and your skills and improve your chances of getting the job or uni place you want . Links to local volunteer centres and volunteer schemes.

Still not sure which career?

There are plenty of organisations and web sites to help you with ideas, and decide the next step on your career path.

• First, find out what your key skills and interest are by using custom software like Start Profile - you will receive your school code from Mr JAckman, and you can use this at home as well as in school. Parents and Guardians can also logon to the Start Profile site to access a range of useful careers information. 
• The National Careers Service has some good career tools which will help you identify your skills and also has a wide range of job profiles.
• Visit various career information at the web sites below:
• https://targetcareers.co.uk/careers-advice
• www.careers4u.tv/
• www.icould.com/
• www.healthcareers.nhs.uk
• www.discovercreativecareers.co.uk
• www.notgoingtouni.co.uk
• www.sacu-student.com/?page_id=2779
• Search here for different types of apprenticeships - everything from agriculture to child care, legal to IT, as well as engineering
• www.gov.uk/higher-education-courses-find-and-apply
• www.whatuni.com
• www.studential.com
• Try work experience or a part time job. A work placement during the school holidays, can help you try out options whilst gaining valuable contacts. Part time work in any area will help with accessing your chosen career area e.g. serving food can help develop your customer skills, whilst newspaper delivery jobs show job commitment.

The hours you can work vary according to your age.

Have more than one option - your 'Plan B' -  in case something unforeseen happens like you don't achieve the grades you need.

Know when you can leave school. Click on the link below to see government guidelines.

https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school

National Careers Service helpline for Teenagers
National Careers Service
Telephone: 0800 100 900
Text messages: 07766 413 219
Monday to Sunday, 8am to 10pm
Find out about call charges

You can also arrange for a National Careers Service adviser to call you - this won’t cost you anything.

https://www.gov.uk/careers-helpline-for-teenagers

Should I apply for an apprenticeship or go to university? It’s a question that plagues thousands of school leavers every year and there’s no right or wrong answer. We’ll look at the benefits and drawbacks of both options to help you decide which is best for you.

What qualifications can I get from an apprenticeship? OK, so you’ve got the hang of apprenticeships, but what about all the qualifications that come along with them? Here are the apprenticeship qualifications you may be able to work towards in each of the  apprenticeship levels.

Six famous people who started out as apprentices From fashion and food, to acting and sport, apprenticeships can be found in pretty much every career sector - we’ve tracked down some of the most famous former apprentices to show just what you can achieve through an apprenticeship!

How to find an apprenticeship Apprenticeships can be a great way to kickstart your career, and secure your dream job. But with so many out there, that's often easier said than done. Here are five steps that can help you narrow down the options.

Why should I do an apprenticeship? It's a real job with training, so you can earn while you learn and pick up recognised qualifications as you go. Training may take place on the job, at college or, for higher level apprenticeships, actually at a university or combination. Your employer will pay for your training and, in some cases, university fees.

There are over 180 different types of apprenticeships in a wide range of subjects - from arts, farming, child care, IT and accountancy to more traditional subjects like engineering and motor mechanics. Click here to see the full range. If you live in England, are >16 and not in full time education you can apply. Apprenticeships take 1-4 years.

Find out more about Apprenticeships Apprenticeships  Find out how they work, then register, search and apply for vacancies anywhere in the UK - visit Apprenticeships UK and www.amazingapprenticeships.co.uk for lots of information on apprenticeships at all levels including the vacancy snapshot.  Is a Traineeship for me? Traineeships last from 6 weeks to 6 months, the content tailored to your individual needs. Advice on how to get a Traineeship and where to go for more information here. How to write a winning application - click here for tips on how to maximise your chances of getting the apprenticeship you want. Want to talk to someone? You can call the National Apprenticeship Service on: 0800 015 0400 or 0247 682 6482 or email nationalhelpdesk@apprenticeships.gov.uk .  To see companies who hire apprentices regularly, click here Read the latest Apprenticeship Parent Pack here  Click here for jobs & tips from notgoingotouni.co.uk

             

             

         

       

 

 

Information about College Applications

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