Where to go
FE college
• Look at college websites and the college provider pages in the UCAS Progress Search.
• Go to college open days – they’re great opportunities to talk to students and tutors.
• College is an adult environment where you take more responsibility for yourself and your learning – there's support and guidance available, but it‘s also a chance for you to prepare for work and life post-education.
• There's usually a range of sport and leisure opportunities – employers and universities look for evidence of your wider interests and achievements, so check out college clubs and activities!
School sixth form
• Look at a variety of schools – sixth forms vary in size, course offering, and subjects, as well as extra activities and opportunities you might like.
• Check whether they offer the courses you want – wherever you choose to go, make sure you'll be studying subjects that interest you.
• Every school will have a sixth form open evening and will welcome you to have a look around.
Sixth form college
• Sixth form colleges can be more informal than school sixth forms.
• They’re usually bigger, and they can often offer you more study options.
• You'll get to make new friends from different schools.
Training providers
• There are lots of training providers offering a wide range of work-related training and qualifications, including NVQs and apprenticeships.
• Some are specialists focusing on particular sectors and job roles – such as construction, business administration, childcare, or hair and beauty.
• Training providers work closely with employers who offer work-based training as part of placements or employment.
Which qualification is right?
There are a lot of options to gain the right qualifications, but they fall into four main types:
• Academic – studied at school/college and can lead to university, an apprenticeship or a job
• Applied General – studied at college/school and can lead to university, an apprenticeship or a job
• Tech levels – studied at college or in apprenticeship and can make you job ready or lead to university
• Occupational – taken in apprenticeships or work and can be described as on the job training
Links
Please find below some useful information on a variety of post-16 topics.
General
•National Careers Service: job profiles, course searches and more
• Careers4U: information and videos about different careers
• Careers Yorkshire and the Humber - impartial advice and guidance, local Labour Market Information
• Sheffield Futures- helping Sheffield's young people to reach their full potential and achieve the best out of life, whatever their starting point
• Future Finder - personalised careers advisor, helping you decide which A-Levels to choose, based on your needs.
• Target Careers - a Guide to your future
• Informed Choices - a Russell Group Guide to making decisions about post-16 education
• Qualifications Guide - a brief overview of qualifications from GCSEs through to PHDs, as well as Vocational qualifications from NVQs to Foundation Degrees, including information on the new T levels.
• Labour Market Information- Shape Your Future in South Yorkshire - flipbook (requires Adobe Flash version 10)
• Careers advice for teenagers
UCAS Progress
• Year 11 - apply to 6th form, college, apprenticeship or training through the UCAS site
Personal statements
• What are Facilitating Subjects?
• How to write an effective CV
FE colleges
Apprenticeships
• Apply for apprenticeships locally and nationally
• National Apprenticeship Service- search for apprenticeship vacancies or register for alerts and to apply
Sixth form, sixth form colleges and University
You can find out more about the above by viewing each organisation’s website.
•A Level Explorer- see where your A level choices will take you
• Which? University - search by university, by predicted grades and by category or use the A-level explorer tool
Technical courses
These are the new technical qualifications that will be ready for studying in 2020.
Volunteering
• Sheffield Volunteering Centre
Student finance
Notice Board
Please see this area on a regular basis for Careers updates, information about open evenings, apprenticeships and employment/ work experience opportunities.