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Your choices at 18 years old

So what are your choices at 18 years old? 


After undertaking your A-Levels, vocational qualifications or apprenticeship, you now have the choice to:

  • Remain in further education or adult community education 

  • Continue onto higher education

  • Undertake an apprenticeship or progress onto the next level (if already on an apprenticeship)

  • Undertake a traineeship to gain work experience and work ready skills   

  • Find a job

  • Set up your own business  

  • Gain experience through volunteering

Plymouth’s Apprenticeship Opportunities Bulletin for School Leavers – August 2021

To make this easier for you, we have collated the current apprenticeship opportunities available in Plymouth. Take a look at our Bulletin to find out more about the local employers recruiting, the training providers involved and how to apply for these exciting apprenticeships. View the Apprenticeship Vacancy Bulletin



Financing further study

What a bursary is for

A bursary is money that you, or your education or training provider, can use to pay for things like:

  • clothing, books and other equipment for your course

  • transport and lunch on days you study or train

If you’re 19 and over:

You could get a discretionary bursary if you either:

  • are continuing on a course you started aged 16 to 18 (known as being a ’19+ continuer’)

  • have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

How can I find further details:

Colleges can provide advice on the process to apply for funding

For further education:

https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan

For higher education:

https://www.gov.uk/student-finance



Applying to University or College

https://www.ucas.com/



Useful links to support choosing your next steps at 18 years old with Skills Launchpad Plymouth

Make sure you feel ready to get back out there – check out the support available if you are feeling anxious, confused, lost or overwhelmed Find out about Plymouth’s current employment picture and learn about our industry sectors which are growing fast creating new job opportunities Too much choice out there? You can always learn more about your career options Develop yourself through further study and training opportunities Consider earning while you learn through an apprenticeship Consider gaining valuable work experience through a traineeship Where to find jobs in Plymouth ​ Consider becoming a volunteer to gain valuable new skills and experience Access help for starting your own business and work for yourself Youth Card WHAT IS YOUTH CARD?

Youth Card is a free mobile app that provides a one-stop shop for 11-25-year-olds for self-led discovery of educational, career and personal development opportunities in a safe environment.

Youth Card is uniquely placed to help your students by offering: Free access to UK-wide work experience placements and workshops with leading employers, including: Spotify, Bentley Motors, bp, Google, NHS, Virgin Atlantic, The Financial Times, Santander and the BBC.

  • Free access to UK-wide financial and enterprise programmes.
  • Free access to a UK-wide network of 7,000 youth organisations.
  • Free access to inspiring podcasts, broadcasts and short films by heads of industry and high-profile speakers like:
- Nick Ross (TV broadcaster) - Rich Waterworth (GM of TikTok) - Shai Weiss (CEO of Virgin Atlantic Airways) - Gareth Southgate (England football manager – men's team) - Roger Federer (professional tennis player) - Dame Kelly Holmes (former Olympic athlete)
  • Free access to a wide range of youth-friendly discounted services in the UK and Europe.



Student guide to Post18 qualification results 2021

We understand how unsettling the last few months may have been for you, since schools, colleges and other providers were closed to many and exams were cancelled.

This guide should help you understand how results have been awarded this year and where to find more information.