• You might want to stay in full time education - in school, a sixth form or further education college
• Maybe work-based training will give you the job and training you want
• Perhaps you are interested in going into full time employment, with options to train in new skills

There is an enormous range of qualifications and jobs out there and we can help you develop your career plan and make personal choices. We support you in looking at all the opportunities to make the most of your potential.

If you have a disability www.after16.org.uk has information on choices and challenges after 16.

If you've got problems that stop you sorting out your options or making plans for the future, we can help. Whether it's school life or home life that's holding you back - get in touch for advice.

If you've left school and haven't sorted anything out yet, Contact Us through this web site, call the Learner Helpline or get in touch with your local Connexions Centre. We'll help you work out just what you want to do and decide how you are going to do it. We can explain how you can start earning money while training to do a job plus a range of other options.

Options at 16+

Your Way Forward: Options at 16+ is a booklet with lots of useful information. It can help you to:

• Find out about yourself
• Choose what to do next
• Look at the opportunities

Click here to view a copy of Options at 16+  

Click here to request a copy of Options at 16+ to be sent to you

Click here to view the Futures4Me database for full time learning and education opportunities

You can find revision tips for your exams and lots more information at
www.s-cool.co.uk

Continuing in Education, Training or a Job?

We can help you work out what suits you, what qualifications you need and how to go about getting what you want.

What job is right for me?

Connexions West of England local information sheets are on a range of careers and options for training or studying to get there. Click to view the different categories of careers.

  Agriculture and Horticulture
  Design, Arts and Crafts 
  Building and Construction
  Administration, Business and Office Work
  Healthcare - Caring for People
  Computers and IT
  Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  Garage Work, Mechanics and Agricultural Engineering
  Hairdressing and Beauty
  Catering and Hospitality
  Mechanical Engineering
  Security and Armed Forces
  Retail Sales and Warehousing
  Science and Laboratory Work
  Sport and Leisure
  Tourism
  Animals
  Media and Performing Arts
  Courses and Training at NVQ1, Entry and Pre-Entry Level

Click here to download the full set of Local Information Sheets as a self-installer package to load onto your computer.

A career in retailing ...

There are more than 60,000 jobs in the retail sector across the West of England. For more information about a jobs and training in the retail sector contact the Skillsmart Retail Advice Line on 0800 093 5001 or at www.skillsmartretail.com.

For a copy of the ‘Getting into Retail’ leaflet click here

What Qualifications?

NVQ's Work related training www.dfes.gov.uk/nvq
AS & A2 levels
Vocational A Levels
Diplomas
Key Skills

To find out more about qualifications visit www.dfes.gov.uk/qualifications or telephone 0345 665588.

Further Education

Further full time education could be in either school, sixth form college or college of further education. You might take a pre-employment course more GCSE's GNVQs AS/A2 Levels, Vocational A Levels, Key Skills Qualification, Apprenticeship, NVQs or other vocational courses.

Work based learning

You can train full time or "learn and earn" by training and working together. Apprenticeships offer a combination of work and qualifications that lead to an NVQ Level 3. Learning and Skills Councils offer work based training leading to NVQs. Visit  www.realworkrealpay.info to find out more about the Learning and Skills Council's opportunities.

Click here to view the Futures4Me database for full time learning and education opportunities.

Look at our Education, Training, Careers and Employment sections.

Employment

A job will give you the opportunity to earn money, learn skills in a practical situation and allow you to be more independent. It is important to check the amount of training you will be offered as lack of qualifications may block your future prospects.

If you are still in full time education, let your Connexions Personal Adviser know that you are looking for a job - they will be able to tell you about vacancies and help you think about how a job fits in with your overall career plans. It is very important that you continue to learn and develop key skills to equip yourself for the future.

Job search	Lots of useful links for newspapers, agencies and job information sites, in Britain and abroad
Worktrain	National site with information on jobs, learning and volunteering opportunities
Vacancies Database	Check out our vacancies database to see what's available in your area

Employability Skills

You will have already learnt some of the Employability Skills which are crucial to job success and your personal development. Build the development of these key skills into your choice of subjects and courses and log them as you go. The Employability Skills are communication, IT, working with others, problem solving, improving your own learning and performance, application of number.

Work Experience

In year 10 or 11 most young people get the chance to do work experience through school.  This gives you the chance to find out what a working environment is like and gain skills.  You can find out more at www.experiencesofwork.co.uk.

Time Out

Many students take a break before starting their course or beginning a career, and universities and colleges increasingly accept deferred entry. But it needs careful planning! The most popular ideas for students from the South West taking time out include: paid work, study courses, travel, voluntary service and work camps, both at home and abroad.

Lots of information is available at your nearest Connexions Centre including the Exodus database which has information on European and International Database of career opps abroad.

To find out about a wide range of opportunities in the UK and across the world visit: www.worldwidevolunteering.org.uk

Exam Results

Need advice after results? Didn't do as well as you thought, or did better? We can help you make the best of your grades and work out what to do next.

For the next stage on again - Your Way Forward Options at 18+

You might want to look at Your Way Forward Options at 18+. Looking at what you might want to do in a year or two can help you plan what you do now. It can help you find out about:

• HE - degrees and courses - qualifications explained
• Choosing your subject
• Choosing where to study
• How to apply to HE
• Calendar for A Level/Advanced GNVQ/BTEC National students
• Funding your course
• Employment after Higher Education
• Taking Time Out

Click here to View Options at 18+

Click here to request Options at 18+ to be sent to you

All young people are likely to need help of one sort or another, it is part of growing up and moving on. If you have a problem that is stopping you from making decisions about your life, education and career choices, we can help you. You can talk to a Connexions Personal Adviser about any issue that concerns you, or you can telephone or e-mail "Connexions Direct" for confidential help and advice. Look at the other pages on this website for useful information and links or names and addresses for organisations who can offer further information, help and advice on all the issues concerning young people.

Look at our Contacts section and our 1 Big Database for lots of useful organisations, links and telephone numbers on a whole range of issues that affect young people.