Your choices
Whether you're at school, college, in training or employment, there are many choices you need to make about your future. In your lifetime you are likely to spend a good proportion of your time at work, so it makes sense to find a job that suits your own interests and abilities, provides the money you need and is as rewarding as possible.
Making career choice means thinking about work that matches your interests and abilities and satisfies your needs and values.
Choices in Year 9
In Year 9 you will have to make some important choices, including which courses and subjects you will study in Years 10 and 11.
Choices in Year 10
Year 10 is when most people decide what to do on their work experience which can last for a week or a fortnight.
Choices in Year 11
Year 11 is the time to think about what you want to do when you leave school. You might choose to continue your learning in sixth form, at college or on an Apprenticeship. You might want to find a job or consider getting a job or even self-employment.
Choices in Sixth Form and College
If you are currently at college or in sixth form you'll need to decide whether to continue full-time education at higher education level or to find employment. You may decide to take a year out to explore your future options. Leaving full-time education doesn’t mean finishing with learning and you need to think about a job that provides you with further learning opportunities and better prospects.
Continuing learning
Raising the participation age from 2013
By 2015, all young people will be expected to stay in learning until they are 18. Young people who started Year 9 in September 2010 will remain in some form of learning until they are 17. Young people who started Year 9 in September 2011 or after will remain in learning until they are 18.
For further information
The on-line 14-19 prospectuses let you find out the courses and qualifications that are available at schools, colleges and sixth forms in your area.