We team up with the National Careers Service to make the most of opportunities on offer
ARE you ready to join the A-Team? Next Tuesday is A-level results day.
It’s the second year running that grades are teacher-assessed, due to the impact of the pandemic.
But while Covid may have prevented you sitting exams, there’s never been a bigger choice of post- A-level career paths.
To help guide you through the maze of options, Sunemployment has teamed up with the National Careers Service to make the most of the opportunities on offer.
Go to work
School leaver schemes: Many employers offer entry-level jobs and specialist A-level leavers schemes, including firms in accountancy, engineering, finance, IT, law, leisure and retail.
You usually need high A-level results to apply.
Traineeships: A skills development programme that includes a work experience placement.
They help you get ready for an apprenticeship or job if you do not have the appropriate skills or work experience yet
Kickstart Scheme: These jobs are open to 16 to 24-year-olds claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.
Thousands of Kickstart Scheme jobs are available right now in a wide range of sectors. Talk to your work coach to find out how to apply.
Supported internships: These specialist schemes are for young people with learning difficulties or disabilities, who need extra support to get a job.
You will spend most of your time on placements with an employer, learning skills for work and get help from a tutor and a job coach.
Work while studying
Apprenticeships: These popular programmes combine on-the-job and classroom learning.
They let you earn while you learn so you’ll get training relevant to your job and be paid a salary.
T-levels: These are new two-year courses which follow GCSEs and are equivalent to 3 A-levels. They bring classroom learning and work placements together.
Continue studying
Degrees: Universities set their own entry requirements but you will usually need A-levels or equivalent qualifications.
You can change course or apply for a different university through the clearing process. Find out about your options at .
Higher technical qualifications: These are Level 4/5 courses which provide technical skills for occupations such as software developer, construction site supervisor, engineer surveyor, nursing associate or sports coach.
They can be studied in universities or colleges, and include qualifications like HNC/D, foundation degree, Cert/DipHE and Level 4/5 diplomas.
Options if marks are low
DIDN’T make the grade? Don’t panic.
Careers expert Debbie Blackburn specialises in supporting parents and students through A-level results day.
Here are her top tips:
- Discuss options with your school or college: If a student needs to rethink their next steps, they still have lots of possibilities to choose from, so talk it through.
- Autumn series: Want to improve your grades? Exam boards offer autumn GCSE and A levels in all subjects, and in maths and science AS level subjects, across October, November and December.
- Clearing: This matches applicants to university places that are yet to be filled. It’s available to anyone who has made a UCAS undergraduate application and does not hold any offers. Last year, more than 52,000 students were accepted through clearing.
- Appeals: An appeals system is in place as a safety net to fix any genuine errors. Consider carefully as grades can go up, stay the same or go down.
- Exam Results Helpline: Check out for advice and from August 9, you can call 0800 100 900, open weekdays 8am-8pm and Sat 10am-5pm, to speak with a careers adviser.
Jobspot
GET your teeth into an apprenticeship with Mondelez.
The food giant has roles for laboratory technicians plus interns. Find out more at .
Off to Merci I go
DRIVE your career forward at Mercedes-Benz.
It has apprenticeships for data analysts, vehicle technicians, plus in customer services, network operations, sales planning and marketing.
Apply at mercedes-benzretailgroup.co.uk/about-us/apprenticeship-programme.
Jaguar Land Rover also needs service technicians and vehicle parts apprentices. See .
Count on career
ADD some value with a job at a top accountancy firm.
Tax and audit specialists are among the biggest employers for A-level leavers.
Uhy Hacker Young has places on its non-graduate training programme.
See for details.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
BDO LLP will be opening applications for its A-level leavers training scheme for September.
Positions include audit, tax, advisory or business services and outsourcing departments. Register now at .
Jobspot
SECURE your first job.
Website has scores of school leavers schemes on offer, including degree apprenticeships and college leaver jobs.
