EDU CAT ION
L O R T N O C E R K U A T OF YO E R U FUT G ININ TRA
EMPLOYMENT
? 9 1 O T 6 1 D AG E
Not in education, employment or tra i ni ng? Wondering what to do next? THEN LOOK NO FU RTHER This leaflet is full of ideas to help you take control 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 you plan your future.
THINK POSITIVE
Changes in education and training mean that there is something for everyone. And if you are 16 or 17, you will be offered a suitable place in learning under the September Guarantee – with the information, advice and guidance to help you choose well.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
It doesn’t matter how many qualifications you have now. It doesn’t matter if something that you chose before didn’t work out. You can start again. And you can get help if personal problems are stopping you from doing what you want to do, or if you simply don’t know what you want to do.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Depending on your age, and what’s available locally, 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.
G GETTING BACK INTO LEARNIN
Learning is really important to your future success. If you get back into education or training, you will be able to build your experience and learn new skills. You will also gain the qualifications that employers are looking for. Learning up to your first full level 3 is free for under 25 year olds. Whatever you achieved at school, there’s a post-16 learning route to suit you
You can choose a course that’s based around a subject, job or area of work. And as learning pathways are flexible, you can 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 skills
If you want to get on in life, you need good practical skills in English, maths and information and communication technology (ICT). You also need skills like team working and problem solving that all employers look for. That’s why all courses now include these skills. Whatever you want to do, there’s a qualification to help you do it
Wherever you live, you can take qualifications that suit your learning style and your ability level. And you can add to them over time. Not all courses start in September.
LEARNING CHOICES Foundation learning
Do you need a bit more time to build your confidence and gain basic qualifications? If so, investigate this option. Learning providers will help you pick options that fit your needs 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 and skills you can offer an employer • personal and social development courses – these build your confidence and organisational and teamwork skills. General qualifications
If you like learning about different subjects, check out courses that lead to GCSE and AS/A Level qualifications. The Diploma
If you are interested in combining hands-on experience with academic study, check out the Diploma. This is a new qualification that schools, colleges, employers and universities helped to develop. See the Diploma in action at www.direct.gov.uk/diplomas Vocational programmes
If you are interested in a particular area of work, you could also look at courses that lead to vocational qualifications like BTECs and City & Guilds. Want to know more about the qualifications you can do? Go to www.direct.gov.uk and click on ‘Education and learning’. Apprenticeships
If you know what you want to do for a living, think about applying for an Apprenticeship. This means working for an employer and learning while you earn. To do an Apprenticeship, you must be 16 or over, living in England and not in full-time education. Other entry requirements vary. Find out more at www.apprenticeships.org.uk Is higher education an option for you?
More people than ever before are going into higher education (HE). HE includes not just a degree, but also work-related qualifications such as an HNC or HND and a Foundation degree. These qualifications set you up for a bigger choice of jobs and a good chance of better pay in the future. To find out more go to www.direct.gov.uk/uni
ION Interested in a particular job or career? ACT E Look it up in the jobs4u careers OR EXPL TS database at www.connexionsRES direct.com/jobs4u and find out what NTE I R YOU subjects and qualifications you will need to do it. Career/job: Subjects and qualifications needed:
ACTION EXPLOR Get in touch with Connexions E YOUR L Get expert help to find out about local OCAL O PTIONS opportunities. Speak to your Connexions personal 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 prospectus
Find out about courses and other options that interest you. See who can help you get where you want to be. Go to www.direct.gov.uk/14-19prospectus, type in your postcode and follow the link. 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?
Drop into your local college or browse its website
Check out what your local college offers and how you can apply. Speak to an adviser in the Student Services department if you need extra information.
FURTHER HELP Directgov at www.direct.gov.uk – this is a one-stop shop for information about public services, including young people’s choices, financial support for learning and sources of help. Connexions Direct at www.connexions-direct.com or on 080 800 13 2 19 – this service offers quick access to information and advice on a wide range of issues that concern teenagers. Look at the vacancy database http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk and go into your local Jobcentre Plus office to use their job points 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 Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) at: DCSF Publications PO Box 5050 Sherwood Nottingham NG15 0DJ
Tel: 0845 602 2260 Fax: 0845 603 3360 Email: connexions@prolog.uk.com
ISBN: 978-1-84775-510-0 Order reference: 00898-2009LEF-EN
Your local Connexions centre is at:
Printed on 80% recycled material
GETTING A JOB If getting a job is your goal, you will want to consider finding a job with training or a course alongside your work so that you can continue to build your skills and qualifications. Remember that: • • •
getting qualifications gives you a bigger choice of jobs and a better chance of higher pay in future, there will be fewer jobs available that require low qualifications finding a job with training will make it easier for you to get a better job in the future.
Look to the future
The job market is tough. Economic problems mean there are fewer job vacancies and higher unemployment. But this will not last for ever. And the government is already investing a lot of money to help long-term unemployed young people find work. Get ready for the future by looking at the long-term trends in the job market. Although the economic downturn is having an impact, there are still jobs out there. Make sure you are looking 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 or build your CV, speak to your Connexions personal adviser. You should also: •
use your personal networks – ask family, friends, neighbours etc.
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look at vacancy notices in local shop windows
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read the job pages in local newspapers and magazines
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visit the websites of companies that you’d like to work for to see if they have any vacancies
•
use job search websites
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make copies of your CV to give to local businesses when you’re asking about jobs
•
write to companies that you’d like to work for asking if they have any opportunities available.
GETTING A JOB
CONTINUED
If you get a job without training, ask your Connexions personal adviser about: • Time off for Study and Training (TfST) for people aged 16 or 17 who do not have level 2 qualifications. If this is you, you should be able to get reasonable paid time off during normal working hours to train for an approved qualification. This must be a level 2 qualification that will improve your job prospects. Look up TfST on Connexions Direct 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 3 qualification. Whether you’re eligible depends on the course you are taking, and your income. You must be studying for at least 12 hours a week, but you can still work part time. Check out all the details at www.direct.gov.uk/alg
•
How you can learn from more experienced employees and how you can negotiate training opportunities with an employer.
You could decide to work for yourself. You need a great business idea, strong enterprise skills and the ability to work 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 on 0845 600 9 006 to find your regional Business Link • check out The Prince’s Trust on 0800 842 842 or www.princes-trust.org.uk – look at the ‘Need help’ section • speak to the people at your local Education Business Partnership – ask your Connexions personal adviser for their contact details.
LOOKING FOR WORK Finding a job can take time and effort, so don’t get disheartened. Talk to your Connexions personal adviser for help or drop into your local Connexions 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
CONNEXIONS
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visit your local Connexions centre and Jobcentre Plus office for help with finding job vacancies
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check the job criteria carefully to make sure you have the skills and qualifications that the employer is looking for
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present yourself well in your CV, applications and interviews – give a positive picture so employers can see how you fit what they are looking for.
JOBCEN TRE PLUS
S L IL K S & E C N IE R EXPE Can you offer employers what they want? Do you have:
• good practical skills in English, maths and information and communication technology (ICT)? • a positive attitude to work? Can you:
ACT ION CH EMP ECK YO U LOY ABIL R ITY
Are you ready to:
• be flexible about when you work? • organise yourself? • have different types of contract – • motivate yourself? • work as part of a team? like part-time, full-time, fixed term and permanent ones? • solve problems? • keep learning – so you can do • follow instructions? different job tasks, work in • accept criticism? different parts of a company and move from one company to another? What could you offer an employer now?
You can use this information in your CV.
Add to your experience and skills
Show employers and learning providers that you can motivate and organise yourself. Be a volunteer Help your community, experience different workplaces and learn new skills. Build your confidence and self-esteem at the same 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 experience
Contact different workplaces and see if they can offer you some work experience or work shadowing. Ask your Connexions personal adviser or youth worker for help if you need it. Even better, sign up for a course that includes work experience. If you are 17 or under, remember that the September Guarantee entitles you to a suitable place in learning – with the information, advice and guidance to help you choose well.
MONEY MATTERS
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 training
With the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), you could get a weekly payment of up to £30 a week to help with dayto-day expenses. The money goes straight into your bank account. The amount you may get depends on your household income and it doesn’t affect any benefits that your parents/carers get. Find out more at www.direct.gov.uk/ema Your parents may continue to receive Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit if you are participating in full-time education or training. Help with childcare costs
If you are under the age of 20 and have children, you could get help with childcare costs through the Care to Learn scheme. Find out more at www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn Help if you have a disability or learning difficulty
Having a disability or learning difficulty should not stop you from learning. There is a variety of additional help available and you may be entitled to extra financial help to cover additional expenses. Find out more at www.direct.gov.uk/disabledpeople and www.skill.org.uk Help if you are in real financial need
Schools and colleges have extra funds, called Discretionary Support Funds, to help post-16 students who are in real financial need. The Student Support Officer can tell you more.
OUT OF WORK?
The help you can get depends on your age and circumstances. Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) is the main benefit for 18 and 19 year olds who are out of work, and you can get additional support through the New Deal. If you are unemployed and 16 or 17, you may 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 be available if you are sick or have a disability. Find out more: • Look at the ‘Money’ pages in the young people’s section of 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
K WHO CAN HELP YOU GEWTORBKA?C INTO LEARNING OR Connexions
Speak to your Connexions personal adviser. Personal advisers have special training to help you tackle personal and career issues. 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 you can’t remember where it is, look it up at www.connexionsdirect.com. Go to the local services page and type in your postcode. Connexions centres have computerised career guidance programs and details of job vacancies. You can also do internet research there. Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus helps people of working age move from benefits into work. It also helps employers to fill their vacancies. Visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk to find out more or call 0845 60 60 234. Connexions Direct
This is a service for 13 to 19 year olds, offering you quick access to information and advice on everyday issues that affect your life. Use it direct from the website or through contact with a Connexions Direct adviser. You can get in touch with Connexions Direct advisers from 8am to 2am, seven days a week by telephone 080 800 13 2 19, text or email at www.connexions-direct.com. The website also has a careers database jobs4u at www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u Directgov
This is a one-stop shop for information about public services. Browse the ‘Young people’ section to find all the information you need on choices, financial support for learning and sources of help. Go to www.direct.gov.uk Local Council websites
Local council websites have information on every aspect of life including housing, health and social welfare, jobs, learning opportunities, and financial help and benefits. Search for your local council details on www.direct.gov.uk