Five post-high school options if university isn't for you, from A-levels to apprenticeships

The future looks bright for students, regardless of what next week's GCSE results hold.

There is more choice than ever for 16-year-olds, whether they get the grades they wanted or not.

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And with university students who are faced with rising levels of debtmany young people choose to go straight to work.

This trend is called the 'half-decade career ahead' because it means GCSE Students who leave university have worked and earned money for five years before their old classmates leave university.

This idea is supported by new research from the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), which shows that 47 percent of parents no longer believe a degree is the “golden ticket” to success.

And only 22 percent of school leavers feel 'pressured' by their mothers and fathers to stay longer. education.

AAT boss Sarah Beale, who started her career as studentsaid: “There is still a misconception among GCSE students, their parents and the people who support them that A-levels followed by a university degree is the only path to a professional career.

“That is not the case. There are many alternative routes to professional careers, such as accounting.”

To help you decide which route is best for you, here are the main options after completing your GCSE.

A-LEVELS: This is the traditional route for students who stay at school.

There are over 80 different subjects nationwide, but check with your local schools and colleges to see what they offer.

Most students take three or four in preparation for work or university.

T-LEVELS: An alternative to classroom apprenticeships for 16-18 year olds. They offer internships in the business world that last approximately 45 days.

Career opportunities range from science and finance to design.

Students are awarded UCAS tariff points in accordance with three A-levels.

An award at T-level receives the same number of points as three A's at A-level.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING: Qualifications such as BTECs give young people a broad overview of working in a specific sector such as business, media, engineering, leisure or science and technology.

AUTUMN REPEAT: Want to improve your GCSE grades?

Examination boards offer re-examinations for mathematics and English in the autumn.

For other subjects you have to wait until the following year.

Talk to your school or college.

PUPILS: Many top companies are expanding the number of apprenticeships for 16 and 17 year olds who do not want to take A-levels.

While you study for a professional qualification, you will receive a salary. In some cases, you can even earn a degree without having to pay student debt.

Top employers include:

BAE Systems offers 60 apprenticeship programs.

For more information, see baesystems.com.

Deloitte's entry-level courses provide professional business qualifications.

See deloitte.com.

National Grid's Advanced Apprenticeships are aimed at GCSE graduates.

See jobs.nationalgrid.com.

The NHS offers apprenticeships at healthcareers.nhs.uk.

• For more information, visit nationalcareers.service.gov.uk or call the free helpline on 0800 100 900.

It's never too late

IF you leave school at 16, it doesn't mean you can't go to university.

Single mother Lisa Varley has left school in 2002, after completing her GCSE diploma, to work in financial and management roles.

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After losing her job during the pandemic and her daughter Molly was in her first year at school, Lisa returned to study at the age of 34. She recently completed a BSc (Hons) degree in accountancy and finance at the University of Bradford.

She was able to qualify for a degree programme because she had accumulated enough UCAS tariff points with her accounting qualifications, but she had to complete a preparatory year before she could take her main degree.

Lisa, from Liversedge, West Yorkspictured with Molly, said: “I signed up through Clearing and the process was very quick and easy.

“The foundation year was so valuable because I had been out of education for so long.

“I would advise anyone who wants to go back to school to go for it and grab every opportunity that comes your way.

“I am now self-employed and offer accounting services, primarily in the charity sector.

“The additional skills and knowledge allow me to provide additional support and services that I would not have been able to do before.”

How to close the skills gap

EMPLOYERS warn of a 'skills gap', but what does it take to get a job at 16 or 17?

Bukki Adedapo, international expansion leader at freelance platform Fiverr, says: “Today’s youth are under immense pressure due to the competitive job market and economic turmoil.

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“With the government’s Skills England bill still pending, Gen Z need practical, clear guidance on how to impress employers and secure a job.”

Here are his top five tips…

1. To be one social media wizz is a force – but it's not enough.

Use that skill to demonstrate how you can grow a company's following or improve branding campaigns.

To improve your skills, you can take advantage of online courses offered by platforms like Coursera.

Look for the brands and leaders you want to collaborate with and attend their events, webinars and workshops.

2. While technical skills are essential, soft skills play a crucial role in success and some employers value them even more.

Put yourself in situations that test your leadership, teamwork, and creative problem-solving skills.

Whether it's a sports team or a weekend job, companies are looking for people who communicate well, are flexible and fit in with the team and company culture.

3. Building a strong online presence and professional network is essential to opening doors to all kinds of opportunities. However, be careful about what you share online.

Take the time to polish LinkedIn profile, leverage your social media platforms to build a personal brand and showcase your interests and expertise.

4. To secure a job, young people need to have a mix of qualities. Above all, they need to be adaptable, strive for continuous improvement and be willing to take on new challenges.

If you can't find the position you want right away, you might consider gaining experience as a freelancer.

You could even build a career this way.

5. Remember that job hunting is a two-way process.

When you are looking for a job, it is important to realize that you are also having a 'job interview' with the employer to see if they are a good fit for what you are looking for in a job.

What job? quiz

Still not sure what to do after your GCSE exam?

Career site Rate My Apprenticeship has developed a two-minute quiz to explain your options.

After asking simple but valuable questions about goals, aspirations and interests, the online quiz will recommend career paths that best match the answers you provided.

Oliver Sidwell, co-founder of Rate My Apprenticeship, advises: “Always make education and career choices that you think you will continue to enjoy in the future.

“This means that it often comes down to what you like to do in your daily life and what you are good at.”

Take the quiz at tinyurl.com/38vcwscx.

Drive forward

Boost your career with a job in the automobile industry.

As the sector faces the biggest skills shortage in history, the Institute of the Motor Industry has launched the More To Motor campaign to highlight exciting career opportunities for school leavers and the 21,000 vacancies currently available.

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Among the jobs mentioned in the campaign, YouTube channel are diploma students, data scientists and technicians for Toyota and Lexus.

Jo Hollingdale, head of careers at the institute, said: “The skills required are so broad – from social media managers and customer service staff to data scientists and diagnostic technicians using virtual reality.”

See moretomotor.org.uk.