Overview
This guide will help you to find out about the many learning opportunities available in Somerset for 16 to 19 year olds, including for 16 to 25 year olds with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).
You may have heard that the school leaving age has gone up – this isn’t quite true. You are expected to stay in education or some recognised form of employment or training until you are 18, but it doesn’t have to be at school.
When you are choosing your next steps, whether to work for yourself or someone else, it’s a good idea to develop the skills that employers are looking for, such as a positive attitude, team work skills, problem-solving abilities, a hard work ethic, and customer and communication skills.
As you gain this experience, stay confident and manage your expectations.
The guide we link to below will show you how qualifications and apprenticeships grow by level to help you choose the right path for you. It will also help you to understand the different types of schools, colleges and training providers, and give you links to find more information.
We hope this helps you when thinking about your future learning and career choices. With so many choices available it is always a good idea to ask for fair advice and guidance from accredited career advisors and to check the quality of each organisation.
Somerset Learning Guide for young people and their parents
Looking for employment can be incredibly daunting for anyone, but it’s tough if you’ve never had a job before.
- How do you find out what employers expect from you as a candidate?
- How do you write a CV? And how should you get ready for a job interview?
If you are thinking about your future career, applying for work experience, an apprenticeship or you’re just considering finding a part-time job to earn money while you study, this guide is for you.
Types of work and how to access them