University? Traineeship? First Job? What’s your post-exam plan?

16 Jul 2019 01:19 PM

Opportunities to gain an extra qualification, go to university, get on-the-job experience or start your career if you've just finished your exams.

Whether you are looking to gain an extra qualification, go to university, get on-the-job experience or start your career, there are lots of exciting opportunities for your future. Find out more here.

On the job experience

Prepare for the world of work with a traineeship

Traineeships are available for 16 to 24 year olds and are an opportunity for you to gain real work experience, acquire new job skills and improve your English and maths, if you need to. They can last up to 6 months and can be tailored to help you get ready for a job or apprenticeship.

Find a traineeship online.

Earn while you learn with an apprenticeship

Apprenticeships provide hands-on experience, a salary and a chance to train while you work.

Find out what you need to do to become an apprentice, what careers are available and what employers are offering them.

Further and higher education

Further education

You can continue your studies after secondary school through a range of further education courses, available in different subjects at different levels – ranging from basic English and maths to Higher National Diplomas. Further education also includes technical and applied qualifications, which will provide you with skills and training to specialise in a specific technical job.

Search for further education courses.

T Levels are new courses coming in September 2020

T Levels are brand new, 2-year courses designed with employers that will be equivalent to 3 A Levels. As the next step after GCSEs, they combine classroom theory, practical learning and a 3-month industry placement to give young people the technical skills, knowledge and experience needed to get a job in a skilled profession.

Continue your studies in higher education

You can find and apply for most higher education courses online. If you don’t get a place on your chosen university course you can apply for other courses through Clearing.

Find out which courses have vacancies through UCAS from mid-August to late September.

Career opportunities

Find a job with our careers portal

There are a range of great jobs available online, and we can help you find one through our dedicated jobs website.

Visit Find a Job to search based on location, sector, salary and more to find your perfect fit.

Learn about different careers through My Way In

My Way In shares stories and advice from people in work and employers in a range of different fields. You’ll find tips to help you broaden your experience and the number of jobs you have access to as well as information about the industries which are likely to have vacancies in the future.

Visit My Way In to find out more about jobs in sectors you may not know about.

Visit My Way In in Welsh.

Support vulnerable adults with a career in adult social care

Adult social care attracts all kinds of people with one thing in common – a desire to help make a difference every day. If you’re the sort of person who treats others with respect, listens to their needs, understands their emotions, and is warm, kind and honest, then social care could be the career for you.

Check out our Every Day Is Different page to learn more about a career in adult social care.

Discover a career in STEM

The government is working across industry and engineering institutions to support initiatives across the UK to give young people an inspiring first-hand experience of engineering.

Find more resources on the Engineering – Take a Closer Look campaign website.

Embark on a rewarding career in the public sector

There are a host of rewarding jobs in the public sector that you can get involved in. From teaching to nursing – the public sector is looking for people like you.

For more information please visit the following websites:
NHS jobs
Get Into Teaching
Royal Navy
British Army
Royal Air Force
Prison Officer Jobs
Civil Service Jobs

Get careers advice and inspiration

Need further advice on what to do next? Our career services provide free and impartial careers information, advice and guidance.

In England, visit the National Careers Service

In Scotland, visit Skills Development Scotland – My World of Work

In Wales, visit Careers Wales

In Northern Ireland, visit Careers Service Northern Ireland.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, gain skills and experience, and contribute to your community. There are lots of ways to get involved.

Visit Do-it.org, a database of UK volunteering opportunities. You can search more than a million volunteering opportunities by interest, activity or location and then apply online.

Learn new things and take part in the National Citizen Service (NCS)

NCS is a life-changing programme open to all teenagers aged 15 to 17 in England and Northern Ireland to discover who they are and what they can do. If you want to boost your UCAS statement or CV, meet incredible people, get your voice heard and have a lot of fun while you’re at it, then NCS is for you.

Find out more information about NCS.