Up until you’re 16, you’ve really not had much choice – it’s been school every day for more than a decade! But now you’re faced with a lot of choices about whether and where to carry on in full-time education, or what you should do instead.
Here are your main options:
Carry on at school or college
You could stay on at school or apply to go to college. There are so many courses to choose from, including BTECs, Diplomas or A-levels. A-levels are an excellent choice if you’re thinking about university, and lots of jobs require you to have them too.
Remember, even if you decide to do A-levels at 16 you could still do an apprenticeship later. In fact, some apprenticeships need you to do A-levels first.
Become an apprentice
If you have already decided on a particular career then an apprenticeship could be for you. Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study – it’s a proper job working towards a qualification. And you get paid (although not as much as you might like)!
There are different levels of apprenticeship and they usually take one to four years to complete. A good place to start looking for an apprenticeship is the .gov website.
Become a trainee
A traineeship is a learning programme, with different levels, for people aged 16-17. It gives you a taste of a job and helps you develop the skills and knowledge you need to get a job or move on to further learning or an apprenticeship… and you get paid!
A traineeship could be a good choice if you’re not sure what you want to do as a career, or if you need some support to take part in employment or education. Speak to a careers advisor at school about traineeships or, if you have left school, the working wales website can help.
Get a full-time job
Maybe continuing your education isn’t for you. Applying for jobs could be the right choice for you. You learn loads of new skills, take on more responsibility and, of course, get paid. You’ll need to think about what jobs you are best suited for and get to work on your CV.
Working Wales is a great resource for anyone over 16 to access expert advice and guidance to help overcome obstacles that you may be facing to get you into work.
Do some volunteering
Lots of jobs ask you to have some experience, but it can seem really hard to get experience without having a job. Volunteering is a great way to get around this and to do something good for your community.
It’s a brilliant way to increase your skills and your self-esteem, and it’s a good way to make new friends. It also looks fab on your CV.
Don’t forget careerswales.gov.wales is there to help you plan your career, prepare to get a job, and find and apply for the right apprenticeships, courses and training.
