Careers and Training
How can Connexions help?
How can Connexions help you plan the next steps you need to take to choose a career?
- Your interests – could you use them in a job or are they just what you enjoy in your spare time?
- What are you good at – not just school subjects, but do you like fixing things, or caring for animals or children for example.
- Is there anything you don’t like doing or are not so good at?
- Would you like to work indoors or outdoors, alone, or in a team?
- What is important to you.
We can help you plan for the future and make the most of your life and career opportunities!
Careers Advisers and Youth Workers can advise you on your health and well-being and talk to you about any worries you may have in choosing a career. We can help you understand the range of work and learning options open to you and what suit you best.
Apprenticeships
In 2004, Modern Apprenticeships were rebranded as Apprenticeships, and since then the numbers of young people completing Apprenticeships has increased from 40% to 63%. Apprenticeships help you to learn whilst on the job – perfect for people who prefer to learn by getting hands on and even better if you want to pursue a certain career path, such as beauty or retail. It can stand you in good stead if you wish to progress up the career ladder.
Apprenticeships can cover all sorts of different areas, from mechanics to the arts and are a great way to gain experience in your chosen subject. Choose from a massive number of Apprenticeships in your area.
You can earn while you learn - the minimum wage for an Apprenticeship is £95 a week. This is to support your learning and encourage life skills as well – earning a wage is an important part of being an adult.
Apprenticeships look good when applying for jobs in later life. Employers like you to have work experience and to know that you will have the knowledge to do the job.
There is a Apprenticeship Vacancy Matching Service available online. Follow the link and search by the Area you live in to find out what is available for you locally. Alternatively you can got into any of our centres or speak to your Careers Adviser at school and get some guidance and support. To find your nearest Connexions centre please click on the 'find us' map on the left.
Many famous people have been Apprentices in the past too. Jamie Oliver (celebrity chef), John Frieda (stylist), Ruth Badger (runner up on the Apprentice) and Alexander McQueen (fashion designer) all completed Apprenticeships when they left school, and it has led to successful careers.
Facts:
- There are over 180 career choices in 80 different sectors
- You can earn the minimum of £95 a week with one and a half days paid holiday per month
- An Apprenticeship is equivalent to a GCSE
- An Advanced Apprenticeship is equivalent to A-Level
- 63% of Apprentices fully complete their apprenticeships
- Apprenticeships usually last between one and two years or up to five years
So if you think work based training is for you then why not look into an Apprenticeship or visit the DirectGov website for more information?
CV Builder
Click here to register and to use our CV Builder. The Connexions CV Builder is an easy-to-use tool that will walk you through the process of creating your own CV from start to finish.
Careers using different subjects
We have produced some information posters for you to let you know 10 good and bad reasons for choosing subjects and what careers they can lead to.
How much do people earn?
Take a look at our Wages poster to see the average hourly wages for different jobs that employees were paid in 2008.
When can I see my Careers Adviser?
- When you are at school, sixth form college or a college of further education
- When you are in work based learning
- When you are looking for work or training
- When you are not in education or work for whatever reason and need help
- When you are in further education, work or training and want to change direction
Also available in all Connexions centres is the Kudos careers matching and information program which helps young people plan their future. Suitable for 13-19 year olds, Kudos uses individual interests and qualification aspirations to generate a personalised list of careers suggestions. You can find your nearest Connexions centre by clicking on the 'find us' map on the left.
Jobs and Training Database
Jobs and training opportunities for 13 to 19 year olds (or upto 25 with additional needs) are displayed in Connexions Centres, schools and are also available on-line. To access the database of current vacancies please click here.
If you need advice about looking for work or applying for jobs you can get help at your local Connexions Centre or by speaking to your Connexions Careers Adviser in school. They can provide you with ongoing support and help in your search for a job.
For more information, advice and support please contact:
vacancy.line@connexions-cw.co.uk Tel: 0845 6020307
Further Information on Careers and Jobs with Training
Please visit the following sites for further information on Careers and Jobs with Training:
