The National Careers Service operates a telephone advice service for all young people aged 13+. 

Call 0800 100 900 to speak to a National Careers Service advisor (8 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week). Calls are free from landlines and most mobile numbers. The National Careers Service also has a website with useful careers and subject choice information; you also can contact a careers advisor using the Live Web Chat service: https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/

https://www.ucas.com/further-education/post-16-finance-and-support/ucas-progress-parents-and-carers - A guide for parents to Post 16 Choices.

https://www.ucas.com/ucas/16-18-choices/getting-started/what-are-my-options/choosing-where-study-or-train - A guide for students to Post 16 Choices.

https://www.ucasprogress.com/search - Use this section of the UCAS website to search for Level 2, Level 3 and A Level courses within 1 or 40 miles of your post code. 

www.careerpilot.org.uk - Independent careers website offering a wide range of advice.  A comprehensive section on young people’s choices at 14, 16 and 18.

Look at the Russell Group Informed Choices website about selecting A Levels and other qualifications after GCSEs.

 https://www.informedchoices.ac.uk/

Apprenticeships are where you earn and learn at the same time. On an apprenticeship, you receive real on the job experience as well as gaining a qualification.  Apprenticeships are available at Level 2 or 3 from 16 years upwards.  Higher and Degree Apprenticeships can be done from age 18.   There are now apprenticeships in a wide range of areas including nursing, training to be a solicitor, childcare, business administration, finance/banking, etc. 

Have a look at the Government apprenticeship website:

www.getingofar.gov.uk 

https://www.barclayslifeskills.com/what-is-lifeskills - 

Barclays LifeSkills is an excellent website full of advice and information about skills for work; applying for jobs; managing your money; film yourself answering job interview questions, etc. 

www.successatschool.org – This website enables young people to explore careers, get the lowdown on top employers, and search for the latest jobs, courses, and advice.

www.icould.com – Watch some short videos outlining different careers.  The website features four-minute interviews with people working in a huge variety of jobs.  Take the Buzz Quiz to see what careers you could consider.

www.mykindafuture.com – This website aims to connect students with employers and helps young people develop the employability skills they require to kick-start their career.

www.notgoingtouni.co.uk - This site has comprehensive information about a wide range of opportunities for young people who do not wish to go to university including apprenticeships, gap year opportunities, volunteering, internships, and school leaver programmes.

https://www.ucas.com/ - Information on Higher Education/University Courses. This website indicates the entry requirements for all university courses.  It also has information on apprenticeships and internships.

https://www.ucas.com/alternatives-to-university

www.lmiforall.org.uk – This is a Labour Market Information portal.  When considering career ideas, young people need to research labour market information – will there be jobs in the career areas that they are aiming for in the future?  What is the typical rate of pay and hours? Using the Careerometer you can compare these factors between different jobs.

Young People and part time paid work

Young people can start part time work from the age of 13 in the UK.  See the Government restrictions concerning the hours and type of work that they can undertake –

https://www.gov.uk/child-employment/restrictions-on-child-employment