Help with finding employment and/or training

One of the options for young people at the end of Year 11 is to leave full-time education and to start work or training. Young people can officially start full-time employment after the last Friday in June of the school year in which they are 16.

If your son or daughter is thinking about this option, it’s useful for them to check the following:

• They’ve thought of all the jobs that might suit them – it’s good to be flexible and have a back-up plan if their first choice doesn’t work out.
• They know what skills and experience employers are looking for in their chosen area of work. In addition to job-specific skills, most employers will also be looking for general skills such as good communication, ability to work in a team, and problem-solving.
• How difficult it is to get into their chosen area of work. Are there many Apprenticeships and vacancies?
• What training they will get, so they can keep their learning and skills up-to-date.

If you want further information to help your son or daughter answer these questions, look at our Work Trends Fact Sheets. These will tell you about the different types of jobs available, the skills and qualifications that employers are looking for, and the kind of training that would be given.

The national website Connexions Direct also has a careers database that can be searched.

Some jobs may be more available locally than others. If you think you would like to have more detailed information about what is available in your local area, click here to find our Labour Market Information Fact Sheets. These can give you information not just about Cornwall and Devon, but about each of the local districts.

Training

Training is important for young people as it helps them to develop their talents, improves their prospects of a better job, and opens up new opportunities to them.

If you are unsure about what training is available in your area, you can find out more from an on-line prospectus.

For training in

• Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly: http://www.cornwall.futures4me.co.uk
• Devon & Torbay: http://www.options4me.co.uk
• Plymouth: http://www.findacourse4me.co.uk

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships give young people the opportunity to train, gaining new skills and qualifications, while working and earning. Apprenticeships are also part of the government’s plan to improve the skills of working people in this country. At the moment only 28% of the UK’s working age population have skills at Apprenticeship, technical or craft level, which is much lower than other European countries.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 to 24 living in England and not taking part in full-time education. Entry requirements are flexible because Apprenticeships aren’t just based on academic achievement.

There are different levels of Apprenticeship available, but they all lead to National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), Key Skills qualifications and, in most cases, a technical certificate such as a BTEC or City & Guilds.

There are more than 200 different types of Apprenticeship available in more than 80 occupational sectors. However, there is sometimes a high demand for many of the Apprenticeships on offer, so there can be a lot of competition for a place.

For more information about Apprenticeships, click here for the national website: http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Finding a job or Apprenticeship

In Connexions Cornwall and Devon we link up with local employers, so we are a good source of information about jobs and Apprenticeship vacancies for young people. Click on the link below to get information about current job vacancies for young people across Cornwall and Devon from our searchable database.

We also display job and Apprenticeship vacancies in our local Connexions centres.

Other ways of finding out about vacancies: look at local papers and listen to local radio (which often has a daily job spot). Some employers never advertise vacancies, but fill them with people they know – encourage your son or daughter to contact employers to find out what vacancies they have.

Not ready to start work?

Your son or daughter may want to go into work and/or training after Year 11, but may not be quite ready. If they do not want to stay on at school, or go to college full-time, there are other activities which can help them and which may be available in your area. These activities are aimed to help young people get the skills and confidence they need to get into work, They will give them the chance to try new things. They have lots of support built in, and can be flexible over the hours that young people need to attend.

e2e – entry to employment Can include things like work experience, help with basic skills, outdoor activities, confidence-building – anything that enables young people to progress to an Apprenticeship, further learning or a job. It can also lead to a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 2. Young people can apply for an Education Maintenance Allowance which is means-tested.

Activity Agreement Can help 16 and 17 year olds who have been unemployed, out of education or training for over 20 weeks. Gives them the chance to try new activities, improve their interview skills and CV, gain qualifications, increase their confidence and have support with personal issues. Young people can earn up to £600 over 20 weeks (£30 per week).

The Education Maintenance Allowance is a means-tested allowance, paid to the student, to support those staying on in school, college or a learning provider, after they are 16. If he or she continues to learn and develop their skills, they could receive up to £30 a week to help out with things like books, travel and equipment. Your son or daughter’s school should have application forms, or they can register online at http://www.ema.dfes.gov.uk To find out more, click on website address above or contact the helpline on 0808 101 6219

More information For further information about these activities, contact your son or daughter’s Personal Adviser. They can be contacted through your son or daughter’s school or your nearest Connexions Centre.