THEEmployability DUKE OF EDINBURGH’Sand Skills AWARD

School Leavers Options Guide for Summer 2020 - Mid

Employability and Skills Team College and Further Education options A guide to support a young person’s next steps. If you have not already applied, then we suggest that you make late applications as quickly as you The recent Corona Virus outbreak may have left can. There are broadly two different types of college many young people unsure about their next steps, course: where to go for advice and maybe even unsure about their future career choices. With this in mind, Academic courses (e.g. A levels/ International we have produced this guide to support young Baccalaureate) people with their next steps. • Usually involves studying multiple subjects. This Many of you will have achieved the grades needed, may provide more progression options at the end will be staying in your school sixth form, have of the course. secured a place at college, or have a start date • Assessment is usually weighted towards exams agreed for an apprenticeship. If this is not the case, with less emphasis on continuous assessment. please read on: • Entry Criteria: Typically, applicants will be Planning expected to achieve at least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4. The specific requirements vary When considering your next steps, it can seem across schools and colleges. confusing as there are so many options to choose from. Whether you are looking at further education, • Some schools and Sixth Form Colleges may apprenticeships, work or training, we recommend offer GCSE resit options for young people that that you to do some research. There are several have narrowly missed out on GCSE grades. websites listed in this resource which can help Vocational courses (e.g. BTECs/ T Levels/ NVQ/ you to research courses and careers. In addition, CACHE) it is good to identify existing skills as well as your • Vocational courses are typically designed around hobbies and interests to help you to make a good a specific industry/ occupation. match. You could also speak with school or college staff, careers advisers and family networks to help • Courses can start at Level 1 and go up to Level you to make a strong choice. Remember to keep 3 and higher. your options open and to have a backup plan • Vocational courses are an opportunity to specialise early in a subject that interests you. Extension to Child Benefit • It usually means studying main subject * If you are a school or college leaver, under 18, unemployed and do not have a course or training • If you have not achieved Grade 4 in GCSE programme to start in September 2020, your Maths or English, you will be required to parent/carer may be entitled to claim Extension to complete these qualifications alongside your Child Benefit. There is a time limit in which you can main course. register your claim. For more information contact * Some providers allow you to blend academic and the Employability and Skills Team on 0800 707 vocational options 6384. They will put you in touch with an Adviser in your local area.

Be who you WANT to be... THEEmployability DUKE OF EDINBURGH’Sand Skills AWARD

Sixth Form/College options for summer 2020

For more information on the courses available, King Edward VI Grammar School application procedures, open events and entry Telephone: 01245 353510 requirements, please contact the establishment www.kegs.org.uk directly. Maltings Witham Telephone: 01376 512911 Telephone: 01245 264451 www.maltingsacademy.org www.boswells-school.com The College Chelmsford Telephone: 01376 556300 Telephone: 01245 260101 www.braintreesixthform.com www.moulshamhigh.org

Braintree Town Football Academy Telephone: 01376 525700 Witham www2.communityiron.co.uk/braintree-town-football- Telephone: 01376 515756 academy/ www.newrickstonesacademy.org

Chelmer Valley High School Chelmsford Burnham on Crouch Telephone: 01245 440232 Telephone: 01621 782377 www.chelmervalleyhighschool.co.uk www.ormistonriversacademy.co.uk

Chelmsford College Sandon School Telephone: 01245 265611 Chelmsford www.chelmsford.ac.uk Telephone: 01245 473611 www.sandon.essex.sch.uk Chelmsford County High School for Girls Telephone: 01245 352592 St John Payne Chelmsford www.cchs.co.uk Telephone: 01245 256030 www.sjp.essex.sch.uk Telephone: 01245 265821 The College at Braintree www.gbhs.co.uk Telephone: 01206 712777 www.colchester.ac.uk/about-us/campuses/braintree Headingham School Telephone: 01787 460470 The Plume Maldon www.hedingham.essex.sch.uk Telephone: 01621 854681 www.plume.essex.sch.uk Telephone: 01245 266766 William De Ferres School South Woodham Ferrers www.hylands-tkat.org Telephone: 01245 326326 wdf.school

Be who you WANT to be... THEEmployability DUKE OF EDINBURGH’Sand Skills AWARD

Writtle College Chelmsford Telephone: 01245 424200 Apprenticeships www.writtle.ac.uk & Traineeships Other Colleges close to Mid Essex • Due to Corona Virus, there are currently far fewer apprenticeships being advertised than (was Otley College) usual. It is very important for you to have a back- Telephone: 01473 785543 up plan. www.suffolk.ac.uk/course-categories/suffolk-rural • For up to date information about local vacancies, please visit: www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship Southend, Basildon Telephone: 0345 52 12345 What is an Apprenticeship? www.southessex.ac.uk An apprenticeship gives you a unique opportunity to gain a qualification and work experience and Thrustable College earn a wage at the same time. Apprenticeships are Tiptree available from Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE 9-4 all Telephone: 01621 816526 the way up to Degree level in some occupational www.thurstable.essex.sch.uk areas. Still unsure? What are Traineeships? • Where possible, speak with the Careers Adviser Traineeships (sometimes referred to as Pre- at your school or college who will have access Apprenticeships) are work experience placements to lots of information about subject choice and with employers (occasionally paid) lasting from career paths. Please check website for contact six weeks to six months. With a traineeship, you details will gain employability skills, functional skills in • If you are aged 16 – 18, do not have access to a English and Maths (if needed) and meaningful work school, or college Careers Adviser and do not experience. It could lead to an apprenticeship with have a firm plan for September, then please call an employer. the Employability and Skills Team on 0800 707 Training Providers that frequently deliver 6384 or email [email protected] apprenticeship and/or traineeship opportunities for young people in the local area: ACL Essex County Council-apprenticeships in Business Administration, Customer service and more www.aclessex.com/apprenticeships-in-essex Aim Apprenticeships www.aimapprenticeships.co.uk

Key Training Business Administration and Customer Service www.keytraining.co.uk/young-person-looking-for- an-apprenticeship/

Be who you WANT to be... THEEmployability DUKE OF EDINBURGH’Sand Skills AWARD

Career Track Foundation Learning Programmes www.tendringdc.gov.uk/jobs/career-track- apprenticeships Foundation Learning Providers offer English and Maths qualifications often alongside vocational Regional College elements to help improve your skills and get you https://www.camre.ac.uk/apprenticeships/ ready to undertake an apprenticeship opportunity. apprenticeship-vacancies/ This option often counts as approved training. College * Some Foundation Learning courses may be https://www.harlow-college.ac.uk/study-options/ restricted due to funding. Check with the provider apprenticeships when making your enquiries. Plan B Programme (Via Essex Youth Service) www.colchester.ac.uk/apprenticeships https://youth.essex.gov.uk/young-people/plan-b/ Easi Hairdressing Academy www.easihair.co.uk/ Starting September: This is a 10-week programme includes Maths and English Functional Skills and Halls Of Ivy Level 1 Health and Safety and Level 2 Customer www.hallsofivy.co.uk Services. For more information contact: Charly Muir - Youth Support Worker [email protected] Hit Training Hospitality and Catering https://hittraining.co.uk/contact-us TCHC – Positive Directions Programme and the WhiteHat Business, Accountancy and Tech GAPS Programme Apprenticeships in London: www.tchc.net https://whitehat.org.uk/ These options are currently being taught online TCHC Apprenticeships by specialist tutors. Positive Directions is a short www.tchc.net/individual/apprenticeships course aimed at re-engaging young people aged 16-18 that have been out of education or NOVA Apprenticeships unemployed for a while. GAPS is longer term http://www.novatraining.co.uk/apprenticeships option. Both programmes include functional skills in Ixion Holdings English and Maths with an opportunity to link into https://www.ixionholdings.com/ various occupational areas or an apprenticeship. From August 2020 TCHC are planning to offer a 8-week traineeship programmes in Customer Health and Social Care an online programme as Service, Business Administration, Retail & well as the IT User programme Level 1-2-and 3 as Hospitality. There is a work experience element a blended learning option. For more information which is yet to be finalised due to current COVID19 Contact: Cheryl Dozzell [email protected] restrictions.

Be who you WANT to be... THEEmployability DUKE OF EDINBURGH’Sand Skills AWARD

WS Training - Next Steps Programme Halls Of Ivy www.wstraining.co.uk www.hallsofivy.co.uk Usually delivered in Colchester, however due Apprenticeship programme in Chelmsford will to COVID 19, online learning can currently be not be running until everything is back to normal, accessed for young people across the county as however the NEET Programme (usually run out of well. Training for young people aged 16-18 who are Romford) is being delivered remotely via Zoom, not in education, employment or training includes, with assessments taking place once they can be functional skills qualifications in English and Maths completed face-to-face. Any 16-24 young people plus the opportunity to work towards an accredited who are not currently in employment, education, or vocational qualification or an apprenticeship. For training can sign up for this, however they will need more information contact: Chloe Barnett CBarnett@ to be able to travel to Romford to complete their wstraining.co.uk practical assessments. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01708 766395 Text: 07498067977 ALM Training www.almtrainingservices.co.uk Central Training 16 week course delivered online Customer Service/ Currently all learning is being done remotely Business Admin L1, Employability, Functional Skill online. Practical assessments will take place English & Maths, Work Experience and support once Covid restrictions are lifted. Small groups of in to an apprenticeship or employment. If you are students based over 3 days a week in a learning ready the course can be shortened to 6 weeks. centre based in Colchester. Young people aged [email protected] 16-18 who are not in employment, education or training can access qualifications in Forklift Truck operations and gain a Forklift Truck Licence as well Nova Training (Centre in Colchester) undertaking Level 1 qualification in Warehousing All operations are being delivered remotely during and Storage. the COVID 19 outbreak. For more information Call 01375 489738 and ask As well as focussing on improving English and to speak with Sue Turnbull or Darren Coleman. Maths up to level 1 and 2 if needed, this programme Alternatively Email Sue Turnbull sue.turnbull@ also offers 16-18-year olds the opportunity to gain almtrainingservices.co.uk work experience. [email protected]

Youthbuild The Prince’s Trust https://www.essexyouthbuild.co.uk/ http://www.princes-trust.org.uk Construction based courses up to Level 1 in Free online courses for unemployed young people Chelmsford. They also offer a CSCS course and aged between 16 and 25, including Get Started In test which is required to work on construction Nail Design, Get Started In Music, and Get Started sites. They are currently closed but are still taking In Construction which will be coming soon. Chris. on referrals for when they re open. admin@ [email protected] can provide more essexyouthbuild.co.uk information on these. Get Started With Game Design Online will be starting from June onwards

Be who you WANT to be... THEEmployability DUKE OF EDINBURGH’Sand Skills AWARD

– contact Steve from EoB on 07961 994000 or. Help, support and opportunities for young [email protected] The Explore Enterprise people finding their first job programme is also available, starting at the end www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk of May, and is for 18-30 year olds who are looking to become self-employed (and are not currently in Job search website for the Job Centre Plus full-time employment or education). Contact Ingrid Bennett on [email protected] https://www.gov.uk/find-a-job or 07903 875845 to find out more. The Prince’s Trust also offer cash grants for young people via Major aggregated job search engine Development Awards – typically £100-£150 for www.indeed.co.uk young people struggling to access work or training opportunities due to lack of funds. Call 0800 842 Jobs, training and college options for those that 842 for more information. may not go to university www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

Useful Websites Higher Education courses Below is a list of useful websites ranging from www.ucas.com Careers Advice, skills assessments, getting a job and volunteering. These are just a few of the many websites offering support. Essex Youth Service - Information for young people and details of online activities Help and support opportunities for young https://youth.essex.gov.uk/ people and adults in Essex www.whatsyourthing.org.uk Connects 14- 25-year olds with volunteering opportunities in England National Careers Service- job profile https://vinspired.com/ https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore- careers Raising of the Participation Age https://www.essex.gov.uk/education-and-training- National Careers Service- Skills Assessment for-young-people https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/skills- assessment BT to help disadvantaged children with home schooling, offering six months free internet access Careers support https://get-help-with-tech.education.gov.uk/about-bt- https://icould.com wifi Youth Employment-help and advice getting a This factsheet was produced by the Essex County job Council Employability & Skills Team. All Information was correct as of July 2020 https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/employment- help-young-people/choices/getting-a-job/

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