Work Or Training

Some people decide that they no longer want to continue studying full time after Year 11 and prefer to apply for work or training.

What Opportunities Are Available?

You could look at the connexions jobs website which shows all the employment opportunities available in Connexions Centres across

Greater Manchester. In addition there will be information available in your school Connexions library and as well in the Connexions centres in Wigan and Leigh. Remember, you can always ask for help from your Personal Adviser.

Apprenticeships

An Apprenticeship allows you to train for a specific job whilst working for an employer. Training is usually four days with the employer and one day at a college of further education or training centre. The length of training is flexible but all apprenticeships include the following:

Apprenticeships will offer Level 2 qualifications which cover NVQs, Key Skills and Technical certificates.
Advanced Apprenticeships will offer Level 3 qualifications covering NVQs, Key Skills and Technical certificates and can lead to Level 4 Foundation Degrees.

On most Apprenticeships you will be employed, be paid a wage and receive at least 20 days holiday per year (including bank holidays).

Although you can’t start an apprenticeship/work until after the official school leaving date, you may be able to apply for some apprenticeship schemes before that date – for example, some apprenticeship vacancy details may be advertised on your school Connexions noticeboard. In most circumstances, however, apprenticeship vacancies will be advertised on your Connexions Centre database. After the school leaving date, you can come into your Connexions Centre to ‘register’ for training/work.

E2E– Entry 2 Employment

The aim of E2E is to help young people prepare for entry into learning, training or employment by offering them help with basic and key skills, their career ideas and personal issues. A range of activities are included – work placements, taster sessions, workshops, group discussions, visits, sports and classroom activities etc. Young people on E2E will have an individual flexible programme that is aimed to meet their needs – your Personal Adviser will support you throughout your time on E2E and will help review your progress on a regular basis.

Young people on E2E programmes will have the chance to study towards qualifications, for example Health & Safety, First Aid or other qualifications relevant to the work place. The length of time young people are involved in E2E will vary, depending on their needs but it is expected that attendance will be anything between 16 and 40 hours per week and you will stay on the course until you feel ready to move on. If you are on E2E, you may be entitled to receive Education

Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for which you will need a bank account. Ask your Personal Adviser for details.

Employment With Or Without Training

There are still some full time jobs available for young people leaving school at 16 but the range tends to be limited and often includes unskilled, routine type of jobs. Although most of these vacancies do not offer formal training, you might be able to apply for Time off for Study or Training.

Time off for Study or Training and The Learning Agreement Pilot

Time off for Study or Training entitles 16-17 year olds who are in jobs that offer little or no training and who have not already achieved NVQ level 2 or equivalent (i.e. 5 GCSEs grade A–C), to paid time off to access relevant study or training opportunities.

Study or training can be undertaken in the workplace, on the job or elsewhere on site, at a college or with a training provider. The course taken must be relevant to improve the young person’s future employment prospects and will generally lead to a vocational qualification. 18 year olds have a right to complete study or training that they have already begun.