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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.
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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
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 - 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?
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
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?
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.