You know that I am keen for all of us to invest in young people, they are our future.
With the A level results last Thursday and the GCSE results this Thursday what do young people want to do? The increasing cost of living means that many will carefully consider choices that involve them leaving their parents’ home.
There is good evidence that further education leads to more financial reward later but that is not the only goal.
A levels are the traditional route for academic people often leading to an undergraduate degree at university. However, you can enter the world of employment after A levels and before university at a higher level than if you only had GCSEs.
T levels are qualifications that combine classroom learning with on-the-job training. They are designed to get you job-ready, with a focus on real-world skills and experience.
Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with classroom study. You are paid while you learn, and you gain valuable experience in your chosen field.
What are you interested in and what do you enjoy? There are the STEM subjects or Arts, and many that encompass both.
What are your strengths? Look hard at what you worked hard at and what you were good at. Some sixth form colleges will insist on minimum GCSE grades for certain A level subjects. Universities usually offer conditional offers on minimum A level grades.
Do you want to do a degree? There are alternatives to the A level then university route. Some universities accept BTEC and T level qualifications as well as A levels. There are also employers that offer education and a part-time degree course with employment.
Where do you want to go? Do you want to go to university? The traditional route to university is A levels.
Do you want to enter the workplace straight away? As well as employment there are apprenticeships and traineeships.
Remember
You are young, a gap year is possible, to consider your options, try some new experiences to enable you to make decisions about the future.
You have plenty of time to decide, you do not have to decide now for this academic year.
You are young and you can change your mind, you can try something and change it if it is not for you.
It is fine to not know what you want to do.
Talk to teachers, career advisors, parents and your friends.
Research your interests.
Try to get some experience in something you may be interested in such as volunteering, work experience or employment.
Keep you options open, consider what gives you flexibility, broad subjects like English, Mathematics and Sciences can open many doors.
Good luck!