Students in Plymouth will soon receive their GCSE, A Level and vocational exam results and free support is available for any young person who is uncertain about their next steps.
Plymouth City Council’s Skills Launchpad team is running a series of events will take place over the summer including apprenticeship and job application sessions, helping to connect young people with opportunities for skills, training, education, careers and jobs.
Plymouth Parent Carer Voice (PPCV) is also hosting an event specifically designed to support young people aged 15 to 25 who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships said: “Good luck to all students in Plymouth receiving their exam results and a huge well done for all your hard work. I really hope that you’re pleased with your outcome, but if that’s not the case then don’t panic as the city has so many opportunities available.
“It can be really worrying if you don’t get the grades you hoped for, or if you’re not sure what to do next, so there’s support available if you need it with many sessions taking place over the next few weeks showcasing the range of opportunities available, with something to suit every young person in Plymouth. Our knowledgeable and friendly team at Skills Launchpad Plymouth are here to help, with lots of advice about further and higher education, apprenticeships and jobs too.
“If you need any support, please do reach out and come along to one of the events and drop-in sessions taking place so we can help you to achieve your full potential.”
Support for young people with SEND
PPCV’s ‘Preparing for Adulthood – Next Steps’ event for young people with SEND takes place on Thursday 29 August from 9am to 5pm at the Roland Levinsky building at the University of Plymouth.
There will be stalls offering information and advice, with training providers and employers including Babcock, Discovery College, City College Plymouth and Plymouth City Council attending. There will also be quiet areas for individual conversations, where young people can learn more about the options available and sign-up for a new opportunity – such as further education, apprenticeships or supported internships. Young people and their families can drop-in on the day but are encouraged to book a 90-minute time slot in advance on the PPCV website.
Skills Launchpad Plymouth events
Throughout August and September, education leavers and their parents or carers are invited to attend sessions at Skills Launchpad Plymouth’s base, located on the first floor of Barclays in the city centre:
Sector Drop-in Sessions: Open every Monday for anyone interested in health and social care, childcare, or tourism, hospitality and retail, and open every Tuesday for construction and the built environment, and the green economy. Drop in and meet with sector coordinators between 10am and 2pm for impartial information, advice and guidance about career pathways, jobs, apprenticeships or further study in these growing sectors.
Free 1:1 support from Youth Hub Coordinators: Pre-book your 1:1 appointment with our Youth Hub team on a Wednesday or Thursday by signing up as a member here.
Mentoring support: Would you benefit from working with a mentor? Come along to the Starting Steps event on Wednesday 14 August to take the first step to finding out about Plymouth's free mentoring programme, with a view to being connected with a local mentor and exploring what you want from the experience.
Training and Apprenticeship Drop-ins / Pop-ups: Every Wednesday over the summer holiday, the Youth Hub team is hosting themed drop-in or pop-up events either in Skills Launchpad Plymouth or in the city centre. These events are a great chance to meet local training providers and to explore the options that will help young people work towards a future career. Look out for ‘takeover’ events on the creative industries; construction and the green economy; tourism, hospitality and retail; as well as sessions designed to help with getting started or choosing your next steps after getting your exam results.
Connecting with apprenticeship opportunities: Did you know there are more than 200 live apprenticeship vacancies directly linked with a recruiting employer in Plymouth right now? Apprenticeships are available in lots of sectors, but there are currently lots of opportunities in business administration and customer service, construction and the built environment, education and childcare, and engineering, manufacturing and marine. Check out the latest apprenticeship bulletin with all the opportunities available: Secure an apprenticeship.
Employability sessions: Applying for a job or apprenticeship? This free and fun session could make a real difference to your next interview and preparing you for employment. Email skillslaunchpad@plymouth.gov.uk to book your place.
Exam result days support (Thursday 15 and 22 August): If once you get your results, you are feeling ready to plan your next steps, drop into Skills Launchpad Plymouth, located on the first floor of Barclays in the city centre for support from our Youth Hub team on one of the results days between 10am and 2pm to get on track for September and beyond.
Military Families Education Leavers Drop-in: Access specific support about next steps for young people in service families on Friday 23 August, 10am to 2pm.
For more details on the summer timetable of activity, as well as access to online resources to the latest opportunities for skills, training, education, careers and jobs, please check out the Education Leavers page here.
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