Options at 16-18

What can young people do after Year 12 or Year 13?

The Main Options

• Higher Education – Degrees, Foundation Degrees, HNDs, HNCs

• Employment

• Apprenticeships

• College, or more school

• Other - Gap Year, Volunteering staying in bed all day, setting up own business

Higher Education – an idea for the future?

University - Pros

• Study something you love

• In a wonderful place

• Great social opportunities

• Greater longer term career and financial success (on average!)

• Avoid current recession (though it may continue!)

University - Cons

• You may not need it – are you going because ‘it’s expected’ but you really want to be a Hairdresser/Motor Mechanic/Accountant (but you don’t really want to go to Uni)?

• Student debt (but know the facts!) • It is a lot of hard work – especially Science and

Engineering Degrees…• So make sure you’re keen!

University Courses

• American Studies

• Creative Writing

• Comedy

• Events Management, Live Music Events

• Marketing, Advertising

• Publishing

Courses…

• Engineering (many!)

• Golf Management

• Hotel Management

• South East Asian Studies

• Performing Arts

• Animal Science

• Police Foundation Degree, Pilot Studies

Courses…

• Social Work

• Education (with QTS)

• Psychology, Counselling

• Nursing, Midwifery

• NB Foundation Degrees, HNDs, etc, available as well as ordinary Degrees. Some sponsored degrees also available (see www.notgoingtouni, etc).

Employment

Employment - Pros

• A good route at 16-18 for many careers – Police (18+), Army/RAF, Retail, Office, some NHS careers (check website), Warehouse, assistant or technician level roles in areas such as Law, Social Work, etc.

• Earn money and avoid student debt

• Stay close to family and home town friends (is this also a con?)

Employment - Cons

• Economic situation – fewer good opportunities?• An ordinary job at 16-18 will cut off many

careers (for the mean time – but will you ever get back to your dream – life gets in the way…)

• Will you feel you’ve missed out…• On getting away from Reading/Tilehurst…• Meeting new, smart, interesting people…• And taking your education to a new level?

Work & Become Qualified in a Vocational Area

Apprenticeships

• In areas such as Office, Construction, Hairdressing, IT, MV, Catering, T & T, Accountancy

• Chiltern Training, WBTC – local Training Providers

• Check out national apprenticeships website – www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Pros

• Advantages for 17/18 year olds – car perhaps, H&S, maturity, extra qualifications

• Brilliant if it’s what you really want to do• Earn money and gain a qualification• Progress to HE still possible via many

apprenticeships, but often subject specific (e.g. Engineering)

• More Higher Apprenticeships appearing

Cons

• Pay can be low

• Some kinds of apprenticeship can be hard to find – e.g. Electrician, Plumber…

• Usually no good unless you’re very sure it’s what you want to do

• Many HE courses unavailable unless you have other Level 3 qualifications (see ucas tariff)

Sample Apprenticeships

• IT Helpdesk Assistant

• Horticulture Trainee

• Catering Assistant/Trainee Chef

• Trainee Receptionist

• Trainee Estate Agent

• Trainee Sports Coach

• Accounts Assistant

Apprenticeships…

• Trainee Hairdresser

• Trainee Carpenter

• Child Care Assistant

• Marketing Assistant

• Apprentice Technician – Light Vehicle

• Apprentice Office Assistant

Further Education

College - Pros

• The chance to gain Level 3 qualifications in a number of areas

• Relaxed atmosphere; own clothes, etc.

• Good progression in many areas to University or a trade/career

• This may suit many young people more than the (usually) more academic demands of school

College - Cons

• Before committing to a course, be sure you’re very keen – less chance to keep options open than there is at school

• Environment and learning style is not for everyone

• Progression to HE lower than from 6th Form

Examples of Level 3 college courses…

• Game & Wildlife Management (Sparsholt)

• Live Music & Event Management (BCOT)

• Entrepreneurship (Reading College)

• Music Technology/Performance

• Sports Coaching

• Broadcast Journalism (BCOT)

• Vehicle Technology (Motorsport) (BCOT)

• Outdoor Adventure/Sports (Sparsholt)

More College Examples…

• IT Practitioners

• Interactive Media

• Hair & Media Make-Up (Reading, BCOT)

• Performing Arts

• Health & Social Care

• Performing Arts

• NB each course is usually equivalent to three A Levels…

More School?

• Broad range of A Levels and BTECs on offer…

• Perhaps you’re closer than you think to getting what you need for a particular University course…

• Or you could take extra time to get those qualifications – Year 13/14/15?

Pros

• An environment you know and love…

• Friends, near home, etc.

• Lots of choice – A Levels and BTECs…

• Get what you need (having researched it carefully) for University or Higher Apprenticeships

Cons

• But is what you’re taking what you need for your career idea/s?

• Does the learning style suit you?

• Are you setting yourself up to fail?

Other Options

How To Decide

• Research career ideas – what is the route?• Go to Open Days and presentation days at

colleges, Universities, Training Providers• In case of uncertainty, try diagnostic tools and

websites, e.g. Kudos, Fast Tomato, Stamford Test, www.icould/buzz test

• … and come and see Adviza/Connexions• Talk to everyone, but feel free to ignore their

advice!

The shopping metaphor

• Careers shopping – don’t just look in one shop…

• Or even one shopping centre

• Have fun ‘window shopping’

• Have you got enough ‘money’? If not, how do you get it?

• What do they want from you?

• Are you willing to provide it?

Examples of routes

• Accountancy – apprenticeships or Degrees, not always Accountancy Degrees…

• Motor Technician – strong apprenticeship route

• Beauty – specialised college courses

• Office – apprenticeships for many roles

Routes…

• Primary Teaching – Degree, after A Levels or CACHE Level 3 in Child Care

• Counsellor – via recognised courses, see BACP website

• IT – Degrees, apprenticeships

• Travel Industry – apprenticeships or degrees, not always in Travel

• Engineering – Degrees or apprenticeships

And Also…

• Get work experience or at least ring and talk to professionals in areas of interest – try and organise work shadowing

• Thought showers – lists of pros and cons for each idea

• Go with your instincts after doing all of the above

How Connexions/Adviza can help

• 1-1 sessions with an adult who isn’t a family member…

• Someone to bounce ideas off…• we can also give you information and discuss

options• Vacancy information• CVs• Job applications• Interview skills

Useful websites

• www.ucas

• www.opendays.com

• www.apprenticeships.org.uk

• www.notgoingtouni

• www.connexions-bershire.org.uk

• www.schoolleaversjobs

• Also book resources, e.g. Brian Heap, etc.

Thank You