It’s never too early to start exploring the different options for your future. Here is some helpful information and videos that will support you in making your next steps decisions.
Post 16 Options
In the UK, you must remain in education, employment, or training until you are 18. Given the huge range of possible Futures options, there is something to suit everyone.
After you complete Year 11, there are two categories of next steps:
Further Education:
- A Levels
- T Levels
- Technical & Vocational Qualifications
- Applied Qualifications
Work & Learn:
- Apprenticeships
- Traineeships
Watch this short video for a description of each option:
Further Education Options
A Levels: An academic qualification similar in style to GCSEs that prepares you for further study.
T Levels: A technical study programme with an industry placement that is equivalent to 3 A Levels.
Technical & Vocational Qualifications: Qualifications that teach you how to do tasks specifically related to the industry you want to be in.
Applied Qualifications: Qualifications that combine academic studies with practical skills to give you an overview of working in a sector.
Sixth Form or College?
How to choose your A Level subjects:
What are T Levels?
Further Education at Aldridge
Aldridge Education has four locations that offer further education:
- Brighton Aldridge Community Academy
- Darwen Aldridge Community Academy
- Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio
- UTC@MediaCityUK
See which pathways your local Aldridge FE providers have to offer:
Brighton Aldridge Community Academy College:
- A Levels
- Level 2 Qualifications
- Level 3 Vocational Qualifications
- Construction Centre
- Specialist Academies
- Cricket
- Football
- Table Tennis
- Media
Darwen Aldridge Community Academy:
- BiTE Faculty (Business & IT)
- Creative & Performing Arts
- English, Languages & Media
- Humanities
- Mathematics
- Science
- Sports & Nutrition
- Each pathway offers both A Level and BTEC options
- Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio
- Creative Digital Media
- Health, Social & Child Care
- Technical Digital
UTC@MediaCityUK:
- Film & TV
- Interactive Media & Gaming
- Digital Design
Work & Learn Options
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a job where you earn and learn at the same time while working towards a specific qualification. It’s an increasingly popular next step. Last year there were over 300,000 new apprentices in the UK, taking the total number of apprentices to over 700,000.
The top six industries to hire apprentices last year were:
- Business, Administration & Law
- Health, Public Services & Care
- Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies
- Retail & Commercial Enterprise
- Construction, Planning & The Built Environment
- Information & Communication Technology
What is an apprenticeship?
More details and top tips for applying
Search for an apprenticeship:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
Traineeships
A traineeship gives you the opportunity to see what a job is like before you take one of the next steps above.
You will build your CV, gain work experience, get a guaranteed interview, receive work preparation training, and support with English and maths.
What is a traineeship?
Find a traineeship: