Futures
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Aldridge Futures - Post 16 next steps
It’s never too early to start exploring the different options for your future. Here is some helpful information and videos that will support you in making your next steps decisions.
Post 16 Options
In the UK, you must remain in education, employment, or training until you are 18. Given the huge range of possible Futures options, there is something to suit everyone.
After you complete Year 11, there are two categories of next steps:
Further Education
- A Levels
- T Levels
- Technical & Vocational Qualifications
- Applied Qualifications
Work & Learn
- Apprenticeships
- Traineeships
Watch this short video for a description of each option:
//www.youtube.com/embed/f_xAQNNi4pA#t=0.5
Further education options
A Levels - An academic qualification similar in style to GCSEs that prepares you for further study.
T Levels - A technical study programme with an industry placement that is equivalent to 3 A Levels.
Technical & Vocational Qualifications - Qualifications that teach you how to do tasks specifically related to the industry you want to be in.
Applied Qualifications - Qualifications that combine academic studies with practical skills to give you an overview of working in a sector.
Sixth form or college?
//www.youtube.com/embed/zDlD_se44g4#t=0.5
How to chose your a level subjects
//www.youtube.com/embed/BHKFrXMCHII#t=0.5
what are t levels?
//www.youtube.com/embed/7rua65bHjMw#t=0.5
Work & Learn options
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a job where you earn and learn at the same time while working towards a specific qualification. It’s an increasingly popular next step. Last year there were over 300,000 new apprentices in the UK, taking the total number of apprentices to over 700,000.
The top six industries to hire apprentices last year were:
- Business, Administration & Law
- Health, Public Servies & Care
- Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies
- Retail & Commercial Enterprise
- Construction, Planning & The Built Environment
- Information & Communication Technology
What is an apprenticeship?
//www.youtube.com/embed/E8lTA-k5_4A#t=0.5
more details and top tips for applying
//www.youtube.com/embed/wXWBQ420T8U#t=0.5
search for an apprenticeship by following this link
Traineeships
A traineeship gives you the opportunity to see what a job is like before you take one of the next steps above. You will build your CV, gain work experience, get a guaranteed interview, receive work preparation training, and support with English and maths.
What is a traineeship?
Find a traineeship by following this link
Aldridge Futures - post 18 adults next steps
It’s never too early (or too late) to start exploring the different options for your future. Here is some helpful information and videos that will support you in making your next steps decisions.
Post 18 and Adult Learner Next Steps
There is a huge range of possible Futures options with something to suit everyone.
- Education: Higher Education Courses
- Education: Further Education Courses
- Learn & Earn: Apprenticeships
- Learn & Earn: Traineeships
- Experience: Internships & Work Placements
- Experience: Gap Years
Useful Websites
National Careers Service: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
Career Pilot: https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/
Spring Pod: https://www.springpod.com/
Prospects: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/
The Student Room: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/
Life Pilot – Support For Learners Over 19: https://www.life-pilot.co.uk/
UCAS: https://www.ucas.com/
The Uni Guide: https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/
Apprenticeships: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices
Education options
Higher Education
HE Courses
- Undergraduate Honours Degree Courses e.g. BA, BSc
- Delivered by universities
- progress from Level 4 to Level 6 over the courses of the degree
- Typically, 3-4 years of full time study
- Part time and accelerated 2 year options available
- Foundation Degree Courses
- Vocational degrees delivered in partnership with employers
- Typically, two years of study and workplace learning
- Progression to Honours Degrees possible
- UCAS - Foundation Degrees can be found here
- Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) / Certificates (HNCs)
- Vocational, job-related qualifications
- HNCs are a Level 4 qualification and typically take one year full time
- HNDs are a Level 5 qualification and typically take two years full time
- Progression to Honours Degrees possible
- Prospects – HNDs can be found here
- Degrees With Foundation Years
- Learners also study a foundation year to enable those without necessary/relevant qualifications to progress to their chosen degree
- Applied for directly, not via UCAS
- Access To Higher Education Diploma
- Learners can prepare for the knowledge and skills demands of HE
- Suitable for learners who have been out of education for a while or those who do not have enough qualifications
- Typically one year of study at an FE provider
- Higher & Degree Apprenticeships
- Learn and earn at the same time
- Higher Apprenticeships are equivalent to a HNC or Foundation Degree
- Degree Apprenticeships allow learners to study for a degree, be employed and receive training at the same time
- UCAS Guide To Apprenticeships can be found here
Useful videos and websites
What is higher education?
//www.youtube.com/embed/q3e1vGQ0fOg#t=0.5
Aimhigher - The UCAS application process
//www.youtube.com/embed/EXF4KmaIk5U#t=0.5
UCAS - Writing personal statements
//www.youtube.com/embed/xwXS51Od084#t=0.5
Aimhigher - Support with Student Finances
//www.youtube.com/embed/puU3yaevzMk#t=0.5
Aimhigher - Support with mental wellbeing
//www.youtube.com/embed/826XtilX_6E#t=0.5
Further education
Although most learners move to colleges or sixth form aged 16, you can still choose an FE course at 17, 18 or as an adult learner. It is important to note that education in FE is only free to learners until they are 19 unless it is their first Level 3 qualification.
Further Education Options
GCSE Resits - A second chance to achieve your English and Maths GCSEs
A Levels - An academic qualification similar in style to GCSEs that prepares you for further study.
T Levels - A technical study programme with an industry placement that is equivalent to 3 A Levels.
Technical & Vocational Qualifications - Qualifications that teach you how to do tasks specifically related to the industry you want to be in.
Applied Qualifications - Qualifications that combine academic studies with practical skills to give you an overview of working in a sector.
Access To Higher Education Diplomas - Qualifications that prepare learners for the knowledge and skills demands of HE
Sixth form or college?
//www.youtube.com/embed/zDlD_se44g4#t=0.5
how to choose your a level subjects
//www.youtube.com/embed/BHKFrXMCHII#t=0.5
what are t levels?
//www.youtube.com/embed/7rua65bHjMw#t=0.5
what are the different qualification levels in the uk? find out here
work & Learn options
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a job where you earn and learn at the same time while working towards a specific qualification. It’s an increasingly popular next step. Last year there were over 300,000 new apprentices in the UK, taking the total number of apprentices to over 700,000.
The top six industries to hire apprentices last year were:
- Business, Administration & Law
- Health, Public Servies & Care
- Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies
- Retail & Commercial Enterprise
- Construction, Planning & The Built Environment
- Information & Communication Technology
The average salary for an apprentice is around £19,000 but there is a wide range depending on the type, location, and industry of the apprenticeship.
As an apprentice you’ll:
- Learn and train for a specific job
- Benefit from developing a range of industry skills and experiences as well as a qualification
- Get paid and receive holiday leave
- Get hands-on experience in a real job
- Study for at least 20% of your working hours, usually at a college, university or with a training provider
- Complete assessments during and at the end of your apprenticeship
- Be on a Futures pathway with lots of potential
Types of Apprenticeships
- Intermediate Apprenticeships (Level 2)
- Level 2 apprenticeships are generally considered to be the same level as five GCSE passes
- Great first next step
- Advance Apprenticeships (Level 3)
- Level 3 apprenticeships are generally considered to be the same level as two A level passes
- Range of next steps including permanent employment, higher level apprenticeships, FE or HE
- Higher Apprenticeships (Level 4) & Degree Apprenticeships (up to Level 6)
- See HE section above
Apprenticeships are listed throughout the year on various local and National sites. A good place to start your search is here. To apply for an apprenticeship, you’ll need to make sure you have an up-to-date CV to send to the employer or to help with completing their application form. If you are short listed, the next step would be an interview with the employer. You can apply to more than one apprenticeship at a time.
What is an apprenticeship?
//www.youtube.com/embed/E8lTA-k5_4A#t=0.5
more details and top tips for applying
//www.youtube.com/embed/wXWBQ420T8U#t=0.5
search for an apprenticeship by clicking here
a guide to applying for apprenticeships
Traineeships
A traineeship gives you the opportunity to see what a job is like before you take one of the next steps above. You will build your CV, gain work experience, get a guaranteed interview, receive work preparation training, and support with English and maths. Most suitable for those leaners with Level 1/2 qualifications, little work experience and below age 24.
What is a traineeship?
//www.youtube.com/embed/ii5NwdI_c74#t=0.5
Find a traineeship by clicking here
Internships & Work Placements
An internship or work placement allows you to spend time working at a company to see what a job is actually like and to gain valuable industry experience. These opportunities are often short, a few weeks or months, and are usually unpaid.
Types of Internship:
- Work Shadowing - Follow a professional throughout their day-to-day routine at work.
- Vacation Schemes - These are commonly offered by industries like management and finance and are a great way to gain experience and to get your foot in the door at your chosen employer.
- Work Placements - Work Placements are a formal part of some education/training programmes.
Find an internship by clicking here
a gap year
A gap year is a year out from your Futures Pathway that could give you the chance to:
- Work for a year to earn money before taking your next step
- Travel and experience new things and cultures
- Learn new skills that will boost your employability
Here are some gap year ideas:
prospects gap year opportunities
CEIAG Strategy
utc ceiag strategy 2021 2022.pdf