Post 16 Education and Careers
What next after GCSEs/functional skills exams?
What happens after you take your year 11 exams?
Recently the government introduced a new policy called “Raising the participation age” which means you have to stay in education or training until you are 18.
This is great news because it means you can gain qualifications and training to support your career options for FREE up to the age of 18, rather than finishing at 16 and returning to study later on as an adult and having to pay for your education.
So, what are your options…………………?
Full time education
There are 2 different choices here: –
- Go to a school 6th form and study level 3 subjects – A levels or BTECs
- Go to a local 6th form college such as Brockenhurst, Totton or Bournemouth and Poole where you can study a range of qualifications – A levels (L3) and vocational course from levels 1 up to 3 in a variety of areas.
Part-Time education
If you`re working in self employment or volunteering for more than 20 hours per week, you can also study part time as well to support you in further improving your work skills. For example, doing a motor vehicle skills course on day release at college if you are working part time in a garage.
Apprenticeships
These are now a very popular option as the government are offering employers incentives to take on young apprentices.
With an apprenticeship, you work for an employer for no more than 40 hours per week and receive a wage as well as on the job training. This may also involve going and doing day release once a week at a local college or training provider. You get a qualification at the end of your apprenticeship. You can find further information at www.gov.uk/topic/further-education-skills/apprenticeships
Local Sixth Forms and Colleges
NCS (National Citizen Service Trust)
Designed specially for 16 and 17 year olds, the NCS experience will give you a clearer idea of what you want from your future for more information follow this link.
Careers Coach
Provided by Hampshire Careers partnership, Careers Coach is an online facility for young people that allows them to explore current opportunities and future trends in Hampshire, The Isle of Wight, and surrounding areas. It includes quizzes to help guide them to specific areas of potential careers paths dependent on their interests and ways of learning, researching specific careers, writing CVs and how to get work experience. It is available for students and their parents/carers. It can be used alongside our in school careers guidance and provision.