TAKECONT

ROL

OF YOUR

FUTURE

EDUCATION

TRAINING

EMPLOYMENT

AGED 16 TO 19 ?

THINK POSITIVEChanges in education and training mean thatthere is something for everyone. And if you are16 or 17, you will be offered a suitable place inlearning under the September Guarantee –with the information, advice and guidance tohelp you choose well.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELFIt doesn’t matter how many qualificationsyou have now. It doesn’t matter if somethingthat you chose before didn’t work out. Youcan start again. And you can get help ifpersonal problems are stopping you fromdoing what you want to do, or if you simplydon’t know what you want to do.

THEN LOOK NO FURTHERThis leaflet is full of ideas to help you takecontrol of your future and get back into education,training or work.

Find out what you can do

See who can help you

Use the action points to help youplan your future.

Not in education,employment or training?Wondering what todo next?

Depending on your age, and what’s availablelocally, you could:• apply for an Apprenticeship• attend sixth form college• enrol at a further education (FE) college• get a job, where possible with training• go to a school sixth form• sign up with a work-based learning provider• go into higher education.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Learning is really important to your future success. If youget back into education or training, you will be able to buildyour experience and learn new skills. You will also gain thequalifications that employers are looking for. Learning up toyour first full level 3 is free for under 25 year olds.

Whatever you achieved at school, there’s apost-16 learning route to suit youYou can choose a course that’s based around a subject, jobor area of work. And as learning pathways are flexible, youcan change routes at the end of the course if you want to.Remember even if you left school without any qualifications,there’s a learning route to suit you.

All courses give you essential skillsIf you want to get on in life, you need goodpractical skills in English, maths andinformation and communication technology(ICT). You also need skills like teamworking and problem solving that allemployers look for. That’s why allcourses now include these skills.

Whatever you want to do, there’s aqualification to help you do itWherever you live, you can takequalifications that suit your learningstyle and your ability level. And you canadd to them over time. Not all coursesstart in September.

GETTING BACK INTO LEARNING

Foundation learningDo you need a bit more time to build your confidence andgain basic qualifications? If so, investigate this option.Learning providers will help you pick options that fit yourneeds and improve your chances of success in the future.Most people do a mix of:

• practical skills in English, maths and ICT to get on in life• work-related courses – these add to the experiences andskills you can offer an employer

• personal and social development courses – these buildyour confidence and organisational and teamwork skills.

General qualificationsIf you like learning about different subjects, check outcourses that lead to GCSE and AS/A Level qualifications.

The DiplomaIf you are interested in combining hands-on experience withacademic study, check out the Diploma. This is a newqualification that schools, colleges, employers anduniversities helped to develop. See the Diploma in action atwww.direct.gov.uk/diplomas

Vocational programmesIf you are interested in a particular area of work, you couldalso look at courses that lead to vocational qualifications likeBTECs and City & Guilds. Want to know more about thequalifications you can do? Go to www.direct.gov.uk and clickon ‘Education and learning’.

ApprenticeshipsIf you know what you want to do for a living, think aboutapplying for an Apprenticeship. This means working for anemployer and learning while you earn. To do anApprenticeship, you must be 16 or over, living inEngland and not in full-time education. Otherentry requirements vary. Find out more atwww.apprenticeships.org.uk

Is higher education an option for you?More people than ever before are going intohigher education (HE). HE includes not just adegree, but also work-related qualificationssuch as an HNC or HND and a Foundationdegree. These qualifications set you up for abigger choice of jobs and a good chance ofbetter pay in the future. To find out more go towww.direct.gov.uk/uni

LEARNING CHOICES

Interested in a particular job or career?Look it up in the jobs4u careersdatabase at www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u and find out whatsubjects and qualifications you willneed to do it.

Get in touch with ConnexionsGet expert help to find out about localopportunities. Speak to your Connexionspersonal adviser or drop into your local

Connexions centre or visit www.connexions-direct.com.Your youth worker may also be able to help.

Browse your local online 14-19 prospectusFind out about courses and other options that interest you.See who can help you get where you want to be. Go towww.direct.gov.uk/14-19prospectus, type in your postcodeand follow the link.

Drop into your local college or browse itswebsiteCheck out what your local college offers andhow you can apply. Speak to an adviser inthe Student Services department if youneed extra information.

ACTION

EXPLORE

YOURINTER

ESTS

Career/job:

Subjects and qualifications needed:

ACTIONEXPLOREYOUR LOCAL OPTIONS

Write the name and website address of the prospectus

Write down the options that interest you

How will they help you in the future?

Who can help you get where you want to be?

FURTHER HELP

Directgov at www.direct.gov.uk – this is a one-stop shop forinformation about public services, including young people’schoices, financial support for learning and sources of help.

Connexions Direct at www.connexions-direct.com oron 080 800 13 2 19 – this service offers quick access toinformation and advice on a wide range of issues thatconcern teenagers.

Look at the vacancy database http://jobseekers.direct.gov.ukand go into your local Jobcentre Plus office to use their jobpoints to look for vacancies.Produced by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)

© Crown copyright 2009

Further copies of this leaflet are available from the Departmentfor Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) at:

DCSF PublicationsPO Box 5050SherwoodNottinghamNG15 0DJ

Printed on 80% recycled material

Your local Connexions centre is at:

Tel: 0845 602 2260Fax: 0845 603 3360Email: connexions@prolog.uk.com

ISBN: 978-1-84775-510-0Order reference: 00898-2009LEF-EN

GETTING A JOB

If getting a job is your goal, you will want to consider findinga job with training or a course alongside your work so thatyou can continue to build your skills and qualifications.Remember that:

• getting qualifications gives you a bigger choice of jobsand a better chance of higher pay

• in future, there will be fewer jobs available that requirelow qualifications

• finding a job with training will make it easier for you toget a better job in the future.

Look to the futureThe job market is tough. Economic problems mean there arefewer job vacancies and higher unemployment. But this willnot last for ever. And the government is already investing alot of money to help long-term unemployed young peoplefind work.

Get ready for the future by looking at the long-term trends inthe job market. Although the economic downturn is havingan impact, there are still jobs out there. Make sure you arelooking in the right place and don’t give up!

Tips on looking for a job

If you need some practical help on how to look for a job orbuild your CV, speak to your Connexions personal adviser.You should also:

• use your personal networks – ask family, friends,neighbours etc.

• look at vacancy notices in local shop windows

• read the job pages in local newspapers and magazines

• visit the websites of companies that you’d like to work forto see if they have any vacancies

• use job search websites

• make copies of your CV to give to local businesses whenyou’re asking about jobs

• write to companies that you’d like to work for asking ifthey have any opportunities available.

If you get a job without training, ask your Connexionspersonal adviser about:• Time off for Study and Training (TfST) for people aged

16 or 17 who do not have level 2 qualifications. If this isyou, you should be able to get reasonable paid time offduring normal working hours to train for an approvedqualification. This must be a level 2 qualification that willimprove your job prospects. Look up TfST on ConnexionsDirect at www.connexions-direct.com

• The Adult Learning Grant (ALG) is for people 19 or over,who are studying towards a first full level 2 or level 3qualification. Whether you’re eligible depends on thecourse you are taking, and your income. You must bestudying for at least 12 hours a week, but you can stillwork part time. Check out all the details atwww.direct.gov.uk/alg

• How you can learn from more experienced employeesand how you can negotiate training opportunities withan employer.

You could decide to work for yourself. You need a greatbusiness idea, strong enterprise skills and the ability towork extremely hard. You also need expert advice so:• look at www.shell-livewire.org for advice on how to

start a business• browse the ‘Starting up’ section of

www.businesslink.gov.uk or call the helpline on0845 600 9 006 to find your regional Business Link

• check out The Prince’s Trust on 0800 842 842 orwww.princes-trust.org.uk – look at the ‘Need help’section

• speak to the people at your local EducationBusiness Partnership – ask your Connexionspersonal adviser for their contact details.

GETTING A JOB CONTINUED

JOBCENTREPLUS

Finding a job can take time andeffort, so don’t getdisheartened. Talk to yourConnexions personal adviser

for help or drop into your localConnexions centre. Remember that you must:• work out what you can offer an employer – knowledge,

skills, experience, attitudes and qualifications• get out there and look for work – through your family and

friends, shop windows, job pages, company websites,job search sites etc

• visit your local Connexions centre and Jobcentre Plusoffice for help with finding job vacancies

• check the job criteria carefully to make sure you have theskills and qualifications that the employer is looking for

• present yourself well in your CV, applications andinterviews – give a positive picture so employers can seehow you fit what they are looking for.

CONNEXIONS

LOOKING FOR WORK

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

What could you offer an employer now?You can use this information in your CV.

Can you offer employers whatthey want? Do you have:• good practical skills in English,maths and information andcommunication technology (ICT)?

• a positive attitude to work?

Can you:• organise yourself?• motivate yourself?• work as part of a team?• solve problems?• follow instructions?• accept criticism?

ACTIONCHECK YOUREMPLOYABILITY

Are you ready to:• be flexible about when you work?• have different types of contract –like part-time, full-time, fixedterm and permanent ones?

• keep learning – so you can dodifferent job tasks, work indifferent parts of a companyand move from one companyto another?

Add to your experience and skillsShow employers and learning providers that you canmotivate and organise yourself.

Be a volunteerHelp your community, experience different workplaces andlearn new skills. Build your confidence and self-esteem at thesame time. Browse these websites to see what you could do.

• www.vinspired.com• www.csv.org.uk• www.princes-trust.org.uk• www.dofe.org• www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk• www.do-it.org.uk

Organise some work experienceContact different workplaces and see if theycan offer you some work experience or workshadowing. Ask your Connexions personaladviser or youth worker for help if youneed it. Even better, sign up for a coursethat includes work experience. If you are17 or under, remember that theSeptember Guarantee entitles you toa suitable place in learning – with theinformation, advice and guidance to help you choose well.

MONEY MATTERS

OUT OF WORK?

Learning is vital to your success in work and adult life,so you can often get help with your learning costs.

Financial help if you are in education or trainingWith the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), you couldget a weekly payment of up to £30 a week to help with day-to-day expenses. The money goes straight into your bankaccount. The amount you may get depends on yourhousehold income and it doesn’t affect any benefits that yourparents/carers get. Find out more atwww.direct.gov.uk/ema

Your parentsmay continue to receive Child Benefit and Child TaxCredit if you are participating in full-time education or training.

Help with childcare costsIf you are under the age of 20 and have children, you couldget help with childcare costs through the Care to Learnscheme. Find out more at www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn

Help if you have a disability or learning difficultyHaving a disability or learning difficulty should not stop youfrom learning. There is a variety of additional help availableand you may be entitled to extra financial help to coveradditional expenses. Find out more atwww.direct.gov.uk/disabledpeople and www.skill.org.uk

Help if you are in real financial needSchools and colleges have extra funds, called DiscretionarySupport Funds, to help post-16 students who are in realfinancial need. The Student Support Officer can tell you more.

The help you can get depends on your age and circumstances.Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) is the main benefit for 18 and19 year olds who are out of work, and you can get additionalsupport through the New Deal. If you are unemployed and 16 or17, youmay be able to access JSA in exceptional circumstances.If you are 16 or over, you may also be able to apply for:• Income Support• Child Tax Credit• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) may beavailable if you are sick or have a disability.

Find out more:• Look at the ‘Money’ pages in the young people’s sectionof www.direct.gov.uk

• Visit your local Connexions centre or Jobcentre Plus office• For more on HE finance go to

www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

ConnexionsSpeak to your Connexions personal adviser. Personal advisershave special training to help you tackle personal and careerissues. They can help you with lots of things including:• careers information• practical help to fill in application forms, write your CV etc.• finding out about local training or work opportunities• helping you apply for financial support• telling you where to get information and help.You can also drop in to your local Connexions centre. If youcan’t remember where it is, look it up at www.connexions-direct.com. Go to the local services page and type in yourpostcode. Connexions centres have computerised careerguidance programs and details of job vacancies. You can alsodo internet research there.

Jobcentre PlusJobcentre Plus helps people of working age move frombenefits into work. It also helps employers to fill their vacancies.Visitwww.jobcentreplus.gov.uk to find out more orcall 0845 60 60 234.

Connexions DirectThis is a service for 13 to 19 year olds, offering you quickaccess to information and advice on everyday issues thataffect your life. Use it direct from the website or throughcontact with a Connexions Direct adviser. You can get in touchwith Connexions Direct advisers from 8am to 2am, seven daysa week by telephone 080 800 13 2 19, text or email atwww.connexions-direct.com. The website also has a careersdatabase jobs4u at www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u

DirectgovThis is a one-stop shop for informationabout public services. Browse the‘Young people’ section to find all theinformation you need on choices,financial support for learning andsources of help.Go to www.direct.gov.uk

Local Council websitesLocal council websites have informationon every aspect of life includinghousing, health and social welfare,jobs, learning opportunities, andfinancial help and benefits. Search foryour local council details onwww.direct.gov.uk

WHO CAN HELP YOU GET BACK

INTO LEARNING OR WORK?