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Options Post 18

The main options are higher education, an apprenticeship, traineeship, finding employment, or taking a year out.

Higher Level/Degree apprenticeships

The UCAS website conveys that higher apprenticeships provide an opportunity to gain a higher education qualification, such as an NVQ Level 4, HND or foundation degree. They can take from one to five years to complete, and involve part-time study at a college, university or training provider.

Use the apprenticeship website to check out the latest apprenticeship vacancies.​​​​​​​

In March 2015 these apprenticeships were launched by the government They have been developed by businesses, universities and colleges. Apprentices will split their time between university study and the workplace and will be employed throughout – gaining a full bachelor’s or master’s degree from a top university while earning a wage and getting real on-the-job experience in their chosen profession.

Use the apprenticeship website to search for degree apprenticeship vacancies.

The UCAS website also has useful information about degree apprenticeships.

 

For further information and to search for opportunities also investigate the following:

 

Traineeships

Traineeships are an option if students want to work but need extra help to gain an apprenticeship or job. Traineeships will give them the opportunity to develop the skills and workplace experience that employers require.

Students can search and apply for traineeships using the apprenticeship website.

 

Find a job

  • Job search sites, such as fish4jobs and Get my first job
  • Jobcentre Plus (your local job centre).
  • Universal jobmatch. This government site enables students to search and apply for full or part-time jobs.
  • Newspapers. For example, the Birmingham Mail has jobs on a Thursday.
  • Employment agencies. They can help students to find temporary and permanent jobs.
  • Personal contacts. Ask friends and family if they know about any vacancies.
  • Local high streets. Students can often find part-time or holiday work advertised in shop or restaurant windows.
  • Online directories, such as yell.com to find employers and employment agencies. Check employer websites to see if they are advertising any jobs, or consider sending them a speculative letter or CV.

 

Voluntary work

Although the work is usually unpaid, there are many valid reasons to become a volunteer, such as doing something useful in your spare time, contributing to your community, meeting new people, making friends or learning a new skill. It is also a good way to gain experience, which may also help you with your future career plans.

Use these websites to find out more:

Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) offers local volunteering opportunities.

National Citizen Service is open to all 16 and 17-year-olds in England. It helps you build your skills for work and life, while you take on new challenges and meet new friends. Participants develop a social action project to deal with a local issue they’re passionate about, and spend 30 hours putting the project into action in their community.

Volunteering Matters. This was formerly called CSV (Community Service Volunteers) and they offer a range of volunteering opportunities.

 

Labour Market Information (LMI)

Labour Market Information (LMI) tells you about the workplace or labour market. It is information relating to:

  • occupations and industries
  • job numbers and salaries
  • educational levels for occupations
  • workforce demographics
  • numbers of establishments in particular sectors

LMI also describes:

  • the condition of the labour market, past and present, as well as future projections
  • where work opportunities are increasing or decreasing
  • what occupations exist
  • what you need to study to become a professional in that occupation
  • what is required to take up an occupation
  • how you can find a job, change job or progress in a career

Essentially, it is a useful tool to help research future jobs in the local area, understand the skills needed for certain roles and the demand for future employment. LMI is at the heart of every effective careers decision young people will make. It is very difficult to realise your occupational aspirations and progress your career without an awareness and understanding of the labour market trends.

Click on the LINK below to watch a short introduction to LMI from the National Careers Service.

Useful LMI Links

Careers Inspiration has some excellent and very clear LMI about Birmingham.

The National Careers Service has a feature where you can explore various aspects of a career (typical salaries, working hours, entry requirements etc) to ascertain whether it is for you.

Nomis offers labour market information and key trend data about a local area.

The Office for National Statistics also offers regional LMI information.

Careerometer LMI For All