Home >> Choices >> Decisions @ 16

Decisions, decisions. ...during year 11 you will be making some pretty major ones about your future. This is the chance for you to decide what you want to do.

So what are the choices?

• To stay on in full-time education - either at school, college or sixth form centre.
• Start in work or training - earning and learning at the same time.

Staying in full time education

General courses

This includes  A / AS levels, International Baccalaureate (IB) or maybe more GCSEs.

These type of courses could be for you if you:

• enjoy study
• have a strong interest in taking particular subjects further
• need specific subjects for the career you want to do
• don't want to commit yourself to a particular career but keep your options open.

You can choose from a wide range of subjects and can combine with other more vocational courses if you wish. You can also take Applied A levels which allow you to study work related subjects.

Vocational courses

This includes, for example, BTECs and OCR National courses and the new Diplomas starting from September 2008.

These are courses which are related to general areas of work e.g. health & social care, engineering, leisure & tourism, science, hospitality & catering and many more.

This may be the route for you if you:

• know the broad career area you are interested in.
• want to know there are definite progression routes.
• learn better when study is applied.

National qualifications at level 3 are advanced level qualifications. BTEC First, OCR Nationals level 1 & 2 and BTEC Introductory Certificates & Diplomas are one-year vocational courses.

Occupational courses

These could be for you if:

• you're sure that you want to train for a particular career.
• you want to develop your skills and knowledge before getting a job.
• you need to get relevant qualifications before starting work.

Most courses will lead to NVQs or other nationally recognised qualifications. Courses are available at different levels depending on your GCSE grades.

Start work & training

Starting work and training will give you the chance to work in a job that interests you and to train and gain qualifications at the same time. Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to work towards NVQs at level 2 or 3. There are opportunities in many different sorts of jobs from retail to warehouse, carpentry to catering and more. Your personal adviser will be able to tell you more about work and training locally.

Whatever you do, try and keep on learning, as jobs without training usually offer lower pay and fewer prospects.

Making these choices can seem bewildering but there is plenty of help and support around.

Who can help?

• Your school & college - your teachers can help you think through your choices and give you realistic advice on what you may achieve
• Your careers co-ordinator - can help you find out about career plans and entry requirements
• Your personal adviser - can help you think through your options, look at how to make decisions and help you overcome any barriers you may experience
• Parents / carers - know what makes you tick
• Friends - can all support each other with the choices you are making. 

Also check out

Your Connexions library at school or college - you'll find lots of information on careers, courses and jobs and more here.

 

 

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