Not Going to University?
You have made the increasingly popular decision to look for an apprenticeship or employment after completing your A levels. It is now important to think through your options very carefully and to begin researching apprenticeship and employment routes.
Obtaining an apprenticeship is highly competitive and you will need to do as much research, and spend as much time on your application, as that of your peers who have decided to go to university.
You can meet with your Career Connect Careers Adviser in school, to discuss alternatives to university. You can also begin to do some independent research; the following websites will help you to research your options and/or help with the crucial application process.
Apprenticeship and School Leaver Information |
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Website |
Information |
www.apprenticeships.org.uk |
Official Government website for apprenticeship opportunities. Offers valuable information on writing a winning apprenticeship application. |
www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk |
Provides general, useful information on apprenticeships plus employer profiles. |
www.notgoingtouni.co.uk |
Useful website for alternatives to university. |
www.milkround.com |
Has information on school leaver programmes. |
www.mykindacrowd.com |
General website on apprenticeship and school leaver opportunities. |
www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk |
Useful website for school leaver programmes plus careers information. |
www.thebigchoice.com |
Useful website for information on apprenticeships and school leaver programmes. Also has information for graduates. |
www.directions.org.uk |
Excellent website for information on apprenticeships and school leaver programmes in the financial services sector. |
The above sites give information on national opportunities although the first website enables you to search for opportunities in the Merseyside region. |
General Employment Information |
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Website |
Information Available |
www.gov.uk/jobsearch |
This is the official government site for job seekers. |
www.connexionslive.com |
You will have access to the Connected Portal but will need to use your school code which has been provided to you. You can also speak to a Careers Adviser via the Virtual Adviser Service on 0800 0126 606 between 9.00am and 9.00pm Monday to Friday. |
www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk |
National Careers Service website, has Job Profiles for specific careers information and also has the facility to build a CV online. The National Careers Service offers a telephone advice line for those 18 and under, plus face to face advice for those 19 and over. |
www.careersbox.co.uk |
If you have had enough of reading about careers this website enables you to watch films on a huge range of careers and also provides information on employers. |
www.plotr.co.uk |
Has employer profiles and general careers information. |
Employment opportunities can be found on company websites, recruitment agency websites, through social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin. Ensure your social media presence is professional and courteous. Many employment opportunities are also found through friends and family; in fact it is estimated that up to 60% of jobs are never advertised but are filled informally. |
Volunteer Employment Information |
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www.volunteerics.org |
Government funded overseas development programme. Participants will need to fundraise to raise £800.00. |
www.vinspired.com |
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www.do-it.org.uk |
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www.volunteercentreliverpool.org.uk |
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