Choices for year 11 pupils                                  

Come and see us for some friendly advice
At your Local Connexions Centre you can make an appointment to see a Personal Adviser who can give you advice and guidance on this subject and many more.  You can also contact us online to ask a question and receive a reply. To contact us online CLICK HERE.

In Year 11 you will have some important decisions about your future education, training or employment. Don't panic - you are not expected to make these decisions on your own.

YEAR 11

During Year 11 you will continue to explore your career ideas and some people will do work experience. Year 11 is also when you will take your exams which is obviously a very important time.

Interactive guidance

"Which way now" is an interactive online guide that can help you decide which subjects to study in year 11.

IMPORTANT: You should always make an appointment to speak to a Connexions Personal Adviser before making any final decisions. Connexions Personal Advisers are specially trained and can provide advice and guidance to help you make the right choice.

Choosing the right subjects to study in Years 10 and 11 is an important decision. If you have a career in mind then doing some research and getting some relevant work experience can give you a good start!  To use "Which way now?" click here...

Don't leave it too late!

Planning ahead is key to a successful decision.

Routes available to you after Year 11

Everybody is different - don't just pick what your friends have chosen, decide what is best for you and your own future. What are your interests? What do you like to do? You have three main routes:

  • Work based learning
  • Employment
  • Full-time education

1 - Work Based Learning   [BACK TO MENU]

Want to work but still gain a qualification? Then Work Based Learning may be the route for you. There is a wide range of training opportunities available. Work Based Learning caters for all abilities and offers you the opportunity to get all the work skills and qualifications employers demand in the job market.

There are various options available through Work Based Learning:

• Apprenticeships
• Advanced Apprenticeships
• e2e (entry to employment)

Apprenticeships

This will lead to NVQ level 2. Apprentices are usually employed, but at the beginning of your training you may receive a training allowance. Contact Your Local Connexions Centre for more information.

Advanced Apprenticeships

This will lead to NVQ level 3. On Advanced Apprenticeships you will be employed and will normally receive a wage that reflects skills, experience, age and ability.

It should be noted that whilst on Apprenticeships employers are not obliged to pay national minimum rates of pay although many do. Contact Your Local Connexions Centre for more information.

The department for children, schools and families website can give you more information about NVQs, why they exist and how they can help you. It also has links to many useful websites.  Visit www.dfes.gov.uk/nvq.

For more information about Apprenticeships please visit the Apprenticeships website at www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

North East Course finder can can help you find a course that might be suitable for you. You can discuss your findings with your Personal Adviser. Click here to search.

Hot Courses can also help you find a course that might be suitable for you. You can discuss your findings with your Personal Adviser. Click here to search.

City & Guilds is regarded by employers as one of the most respected providers of vocational qualifications. They offer 500 different courses at all levels in everything from agriculture, plumbing and IT to engineering, childcare and sports. Visit their website at www.therealyou.org.uk or www.city-and-guilds.co.uk.

e2e

e2e (which means entry to employment) is available to all young people between the ages of 16 and 18. e2e offers support to help young people who might not be ready for an Apprenticeship, further education or employment. e2e can help with basic skills and keyskills, vocational skills and personal development.

People who take part will be paid an allowance each week with the possibility of bonus payments. Contact Your Local Connexions Centre for more information.

2 - Employment   [BACK TO MENU]

Full-time employment

This can be a good choice if structured training leads to recognised qualifications. 'Time off for Study and Training' gives employed 16-17 year olds who do not possess many qualifications; the right to paid time off work to study or train for nationally recognised qualifications. Your local Connexions Centre can give you further information.

Self Employment

Ever thought of running your own business? This can be an exciting idea, but not an easy option for 16-19 year olds.

Make sure you have thought it through:

• what business are you going to run?
• who is going to use your business?
• what skills and experience do you need?
• talk to agencies that offer advice and help on becoming
  self-employed, for example: www.princes-trust.org.uk and www.shell-livewire.org

You could also discuss your ideas with your Personal Adviser.

3 - Full-time education   [BACK TO MENU]

Further education courses can be studied within a school 6th form or at a college of further education. Further education has seen a rapid expansion in recent years, with the range of courses on offer growing each year.

Key features

Moving onto further education offers you the opportunity to gain further qualifications which will help your employment prospects or let you progress to higher education. You can also study new subjects and new types of courses that would not be available at school. Courses are available for all levels of ability and can be combined to provide a programme of study for the individual. For example:

• AS & A levels with Vocational A levels, BTECs, NVQs or GCSEs
• NVQs with BTECs or Vocational A levels or intermediate/foundation GNVQs
• Intermediate/foundation GNVQs with GCSEs
• Studying will depend on your own motivation and self-discipline - you have chosen to be a student
• Compare courses - the same course may be available at several institutions - is it taught in the same way? What programme of study is there?
• What do students from that course go on to do?

Don't forget to shop around! When comparing further education institutions think about the following:

• What are the facilities?
• What is the age mix of students?
• How will you get there?
• What does each place offer by the way of sports, clubs and activities?
• How are you taught?
• Are there any open evenings or events being run? Institutions often run open days, open evenings or taster courses so you can find out more. Details of these events are usually posted on the institution's website.

   

  
  
  

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