Choices at 16: Think Outside the Box

If you’re aged 15 or 16, you’ll have some decisions to make about your future. Having spent the past ten years or so at school, you’ll be familiar with a classroom learning environment, but how much do you know about your other options?

In England, you have to continue with your learning until the age of 18, but this doesn’t have to be in full-time education. You could get an apprenticeship or a job with part-time study, for instance. In other parts of the UK, you are encouraged to continue with your learning post-16 and there are many benefits in doing so.

In this article we’ll take a look at the options open to you and pose all sorts of questions to help you decide what might be right for you. 

‘Academic’ courses

An option many young people take is to stay in full-time education for another year or two to do AS/A-levels or Highers/Advanced Highers. These are available in a wide range of academic subjects including mathematics, modern foreign languages, history, geography, English and the sciences. 

It can give you a chance to study subjects you enjoy in more depth or learn something new like psychology or economics. 

Academic courses are offered at school sixth-forms, sixth-form colleges and many further education colleges, so you could stay on at your school or go somewhere new where there may be more choice of subjects, and possibly the option to combine academic and vocational courses.

Academic courses: questions to ask yourself

• Am I keen to continue with the subjects I’m enjoying at school?
• Will I meet the entry requirements? You are likely to need some good grades in your GCSEs/Nationals, particularly in any subjects you want to take at a higher level.
• Do I like learning in a classroom?
• Am I good at end-of-course exams?
• Am I interested in going to university? Most higher education courses accept academic qualifications for entry. 
• Do I have a career in mind? If so, research the entry route/s and requirements.
• Which subjects are available at local institutions and what reputation do they have?

‘Vocational’ courses

We use the term ‘vocational’ loosely. It could be argued that certain A level/Higher courses – such as business – are vocational in nature. 

Vocational courses are sometimes referred to as Vocational Technical Qualifications (VTQs). They teach you about a particular career or a broad employment sector. Broad vocational courses, such as those in sport, travel and tourism or engineering may lead to, for example, BTEC Level 3 National or OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical qualifications. 

In England, T levels allow you to learn about an employment sector – such as agriculture and also take an occupational specialism, such as in livestock production, crop production or land-based engineering.

Some vocational courses train you for a specific job – from bricklaying to barbering, and from catering to counselling. These courses can be taken full-time or part-time while in employment or through an apprenticeship.

Some broad-based vocational courses are offered by school sixth forms and sixth-form colleges, but further education colleges offer a wide range of programmes. If available in your area, you could study at a University Technical College (UTC); each UTC has one or more technical specialism, such as digital, science or engineering, and offers a practical curriculum designed with employers and a university. 

Career colleges also have an industry specialism, such as health and care or construction, and provide a curriculum designed with employers for in-demand careers. 

Vocational courses: questions to ask yourself…

• Am I interested in a particular area of work? A broad-based vocational programme will help you learn about a sector but keep your options open.
• Do I have a specific career in mind? If so, you could take a course that will give you some of the skills, knowledge and understanding required for that occupation, but you may still need to undertake training in employment.
• Am I ready to learn in a more informal environment? Colleges may have less structure than sixth forms and you may be expected to be a more independent learner.
• How do I like to learn? Most vocational courses relate theory to practical applications and often include work experience.
• What are my preferred assessment methods? A range of methods may be used – assignments, tests, observations etc. There may be exams, but these may not feature heavily and assessment is more likely to be continuous rather than at the end.
• What courses are available locally and what sort of reputation do they have?
• What are the entry requirements? You may be able to take a course at a lower level and then work your way up.
• Am I considering university? Many vocational qualifications are awarded UCAS Tariff points, but, for certain higher education courses, vocational qualifications are not acceptable or you may be expected to have an A level/Higher alongside them. Check entry requirements carefully. 

Training in employment

Apprenticeships prepare you for a particular occupation by combining training in the workplace with off-the-job learning. Apprentices are paid and are entitled to the same holiday and other conditions as their colleagues in similar work. 

Apprenticeships are available at different levels and you may be able to progress from one level to another. You can find information on apprenticeships and search for opportunities through your Government’s apprenticeships site in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

If you get offered a job outside the apprenticeship system, check your terms and conditions. In particular, make sure that you will receive training. Some employers offer structured school-leaver programmes and many are happy to provide you with ongoing training and/or support you to gain relevant qualifications through distance learning or part-time study. Certain qualifications can be achieved through assessment of your skills in the workplace. 

Training in employment: questions to ask yourself…

• Am I sure about my career plans? If not, who can you talk to about them?
• Are suitable opportunities available locally? Make sure you research the local job market. 
• Do I have the necessary maturity, skills and aptitudes employers are likely to want?
• Am I prepared to compete for an apprenticeship or job opportunity? You will be interviewed and may have to take entry tests. There can be many applicants for each position.
• How will I adjust to working life? It may take a while to get used to the longer days and shorter holidays.
• Will I feel I’m missing out on school/college life? You’ll be working alongside people of all backgrounds and ages, but if you go to college on day- or block-release, you may have the chance to mix with people your age.
• Will I be able to juggle work and study? Doing both isn’t easy, but most employers will support you.

Some other options

Voluntary work: this is worth considering, particularly if you can’t find paid work or need experience. Make sure that any opportunity provides you with training or the chance to study part time. There are all sorts of organisations desperate for willing volunteers – from those involved in nature conservation to supporting vulnerable people. Not only will you develop useful skills, you’ll get satisfaction from helping your community. Search for opportunities online, for example through Do it or Vinspired, or ask at your local volunteer centre.

Self-employment: perhaps not an obvious choice for someone your age, but it is a possibility if you have a sound business idea and if you are sure there will be a market for your product or service. You may face some financial and legal barriers because of your age, so it’s essential to get advice. You’ll find useful information and links through Youth Employment UK and government business support services. Make sure you research your idea carefully and prepare a business plan. 

Support to achieve your next step: colleges and other learning providers often offer special programmes for those aged 16+ who need to develop their confidence, employability and other skills. Special programmes are also available through organisations such as the Prince's Trust. In Wales, you could participate in Jobs Growth Wales Plus. If you have an Education, Health and Care Plan in England, you may benefit from a supported internship.

Resitting your exams: if you don’t do as well in your GCSEs/Nationals as you would like, you can resit them. Obtaining a certain standard in maths and English is often a requirement to continue with your studies or for an apprenticeship, so if you haven’t made the grade, you will resit or take equivalent qualifications, such as functional skills. Think about why you didn’t do well the first time so that you can do better next time.

Find out more

Even if you think you know what you want to do, research all the options and remember that there’s often more than one way to achieve your goal. Go to open days, and look at prospectuses and websites. Try to speak to young people who have taken the route/s you are considering.

If you are at all unsure about what to do or which route to take, speak to careers staff at your school or get help through your national careers service; you’ll also find useful information on their websites - the National Careers Service in England, Careers Wales, My World of Work in Scotland or the Careers Service for Northern Ireland.

Some final words…

• Think carefully about your strengths, skills and interests.
• Make sure you base your decision on what’s best for you. Don’t just follow your friends or do what others expect. 
• Be open-minded. Even if you think you know what you want to do, don’t decide until you’ve explored all your options. 
• Have a plan B in case your first choice doesn’t work out.
• Although it’s best to avoid false starts, it won’t be the end of the world if you pick the wrong option. You may be able to change tack and few experiences are wasted. The important thing is to use your time productively.
• Don’t panic if you’re unsure about your next steps. Most young people find it hard to decide what to do. Help is at hand.

Morrisby can help you decide on your next step. We provide career and subject suggestions based on your answers to our psychometric assessments. We then provide information for you about how to get into your preferred careers and our platform allows you to search for courses and apprenticeships and to talk to a careers adviser about the best route for you. Find out more at Morrisby: buy a pass.

‍

Debbie Steel, February 2024

With a background working with apprentices and teaching in further education, Debbie was employed as an in-house careers author before establishing herself as a freelancer. As well as co-authoring numerous careers books, Debbie has produced resources and web content for a range of high-profile clients. She is an enthusiastic proponent of impartial and reliable careers information, and a member of the Careers Writers Association and Career Development Institute.