LEARNING & WORKING
in this section
Finished School? What next?
Where to go for help
Further and higher education
Night classes and part time education
Financial help when studying
Apprenticeships and Employability Programmes
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Getting a job
For Contact Details see our A-Z
For information about employment rights, see here
FINISHED SCHOOL? WHAT NEXT?
The official school leaving date is the last Friday in June, at the end of Year 11. You don't need to have the rest of your life planned after that, but it's important to make some decisions about what you do next, and you should start getting help well in advance. The Futures for Me website at yor-ok.org.uk/futures4me is a good starting point. While in school you can ask to see an Adviser or your form tutor/year head for help and advice. Left already? See below for who can help.
If you are under 18 and unemployed you are not usually entitled to claim benefits, but see ‘Benefits’ section, especially here. Your parents may still be able to claim for you for a while. See here.
Whatever your age there are lots of options open to you; part-time or full-time study, an apprenticeship, training to help you prepare for work, getting a job or starting a career.
See an Adviser at Castlegate to talk about your options, to see what's available in York and for help with decision making. They can also help you put your plans into action.
Thinking about volunteering? See here for more information.
There are also Advisers working in the community who can give help and support to people age 13–19 (or up to 25 if you have a special need or learning difficulty) –for example at Moor Lane or the 68 Centre. For more information about local services ask at Castlegate. For Contact Details see our A-Z under 'Youth Support Services'. There are Advisers offering extra support with particular issues, as well as with education, employment and training.
You can also get advice from the following:
Future Prospects is open to all ages, and gives free employment and training advice, and support on all aspects of learning and working. Future Prospects also have advisers who support young people. If you are aged 16-25 and struggling with ideas for your future, why not call in and speak to someone. They can give you advice on current opportunities best suited to your needs, especially if you are thinking about an apprenticeship.
NextSteps can help with looking for work, and your choices on learning and education. If you are 19+ ask to see a NextStep adviser at Future Prospects or Babcock Enterprises.
For Contact Details see our A-Z
If your English or Maths needs brushing up Future Prospects run free 'Skills for Life' sessions in small groups for you to gain skills and confidence.
There are Employability Programmes to help you get ready for work - see here.
There is an Adviser for Young Traveller and BME People based at the Traveller and Ethnic Minority Support Service, Ruth Robson. She works with young Travellers 14-19 to help them stay in or access education, training or employment. She also offers this support to young people from other ethnic minority groups, particularly new arrivals who's first language is not English.
Future Prospects offer support to young people from black and ethnic minority groups to find work, learn new skills and improve their English. They also have Learning and Work Advisers to help with looking for work, preparing for interviews or applying for courses.
If you have a learning difficulty or disability
As well as support from Castlegate you can get help from:
Future Prospects - which offers a supported employment service. They can work with you to find and keep the right kind of job for you (provided you're looking for a job of at least 16 hours per week). They can then offer you and your employer support.
You can also get help through the Disability Service Team at Jobcentre Plus who offer a range of support and help towards finding and keeping a job. Ask to be referred by your Jobcentre Adviser or another agency such as Castlegate.
For Contact Details see our A-Z
If you are 18+ and have a learning difficulty, then there are places that may be able to help with support to get into work. For example learning the skills needed for the workplace, and placement with an employer. They may also be able to give you long-term support if you get a job after this. Ask for advice at Castlegate or Future Prospects.
FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
Further education means courses and training you can do after age 16. It includes academic subjects like History or Physics and vocational courses like Child Care, Information Technology or Construction. There are different levels of course depending on what qualifications, if any, you have. Courses are on offer at York College, Askham Bryan College and the Jam Factory and sixth forms in some schools.
Get advice from Castlegate about courses and options.
You can also see a NextStep adviser at Babcock Enterprises or an adviser at Future Prospects.
The Futures4Me website at yor-ok.org.uk/futures4me has a list of local courses available for 16–19 year olds. It is a good starting point if you want to see the full range of courses and qualifications on offer.
The national Careers Advice Service at nextstep.direct.gov.uk (for 18+) and direct.gov.uk - search for 'planning your future' (for under 18's) have lists of courses available around the country. You can also call their advice line or send an online request to be called back.
For information about higher education available courses and applying to university go to ucas.ac.uk
For Contact Details see our A-Z
NIGHT CLASSES AND PART TIME EDUCATION
Night classes and other part time courses are on offer in lots of different places around York, in many different subjects: from accounting to computing, politics to pottery.
Courses are often free to people on benefits or a low income. They can take place in the daytime or evenings, for a single day or a full year. You can do a course to gain new qualifications or purely out of interest. For many courses, no previous qualifications are needed.
Castlegate, Future Prospects and libraries all have details of courses on offer. York College deliver a prospectus twice a year to York households, and details of courses in all venues are online at yortime.org.uk. Future Prospects can give you advice on the right course to meet your needs. For Contact Details see our A-Z.
FINANCIAL HELP WHEN STUDYING
Further Education (that is, A Level or equivalent) is free until at least age 19. However financial support for students can be complicated, and depends on the course you are studying, your age and circumstances. It's worth getting advice before you start the course.
If you are living at home your parent(s) should still be entitled to claim Child Benefit and Tax Credits (if they are eligible) for you whilst you continue in, or return to, education. This can continue to age 20 depending on when you started the course. See here for more information. If you live independently or are thinking of moving out, get advice from Castlegate as this can be complicated.
If you or your family are on a low income, you may be able to get financial help whilst you study.
The new Bursary Scheme replacing EMA will be available to young people 16–19 who are struggling financially, and will be paid through the Learner Support Fund of your college, sixth form or training provider. This will be a guaranteed bursary of £1200 per year (but paid weekly) to young people most in need - such as those in care, care leavers and those on Income Support. Bursaries can also be paid to young people who are struggling for other reasons, for example if your family is on a low income.
If you are 19+ and on a low income you may also get help through your college's Learner Support Funds. This replaces the Adult Learner Grant (ALG).
EMA is no longer available to new claimants. However you can continue to get it in 2011/12 at the same rate if you first applied in 2009/10. If you first applied in 2010/11 and got the maximum £30, you'll get £20 pw in 2011/12. If you are entitled to both the EMA and the new bursary, you will just get the bursary.
You may get help with travel costs to your sixth form/college depending on your circumstances. See york.gov.uk - search for 'Post 16 travel'.
More information about financial help from Castlegate or look at direct.gov.uk/moneytolearn or call the Learner Support helpline.
The Princes Trust can offer Development Grants of £50 – £500 to help you access education, training, work or voluntary work. You must be aged 14–25; it will also depend on your circumstances. You can apply for help with things like the cost of tools; equipment for a training course; interview clothes; a CSCS card etc. Speak to a worker at Castlegate or contact The Princes Trust direct.
For advice about what benefits (if any) are available while you study, or how any benefits you currently claim will be affected, go to CAB, Castlegate, Future Prospects, or student services at your college.
If you are thinking of going to university, details of the funding available can be found on direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
If you are under 20 you may be able to claim 'Care to Learn' funding (up to £160 pw) to help with childcare costs while you go back or continue in education. If you are age 20+ there may still be financial help from your college's Learner Support fund. Look at direct.gov.uk/moneytolearn
APPRENTICESHIPS AND WORK BASED LEARNING
An apprenticeship is a job which involves accredited NVQ training at the same time - usually one day a week with a 'Training Provider' - the rest of the time you will be working for an employer. All apprenticeships have to pay at least the minimum apprenticeship wage (£2.60ph from 1st Oct 2011). For more information about minimum wage see here.
To look at vacancies, go to apprenticeships.org.uk. You can register with the website to be alerted about new vacancies in the occupation you are interested in, as well as apply online. All these opportunities offer a minimum wage. You can also contact employers direct to see if they will take you on as an apprentice.
The Futures for Me website at yor-ok.org.uk/futures4me has a list of all local training providers, under the course finder section.
Apprentices are employed, and therefore have a contract with their employer setting out their terms and conditions. See here for more information about employment rights.
If you are being offered a job with training, but offered less than the apprenticeship minimum wage, get advice from Castlegate or ACAS, as this may be illegal.
If you are 16–24 and want some help getting ready for work or education, there are Employability Programmes such as Routes 2 Success, Step Up to Progress, Accelerate and Preparation for Apprenticeships. There are also Personal Development Programmes you can go on (for example Crossroads, Just the Job, Princes Trust and Yorbabe). All these programmes will help develop your skills and confidence, and aim to make it easier for you to go back into work or education. Ask at Castlegate or download a programme from yor-ok.org.uk/foundation-learning-16.html.
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GETTING A JOB
Finding yourself the right job is not always easy – it may take quite a bit of work. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and support.
You can get help from Castlegate to look for job and training vacancies, courses, writing a c.v. etc. If you are 16–19 and would like more support or time to discuss your work/learning options, or if you’re not sure what you want to do next, then you can make an appointment to see an Adviser. If you are 20+ see here about advisers who can talk through your options with you.
Job vacancies can be found at your local Jobcentre Plus and Castlegate has lists of retail opportunities etc. Local papers carry vacancies, as do trade magazines – you can look at the jobs pages in public libraries, Castlegate and Future Prospects.
You can also search for jobs online by looking on an employer’s website direct or search by industry or trade. Use yorkpress.co.uk/jobs or direct.gov.uk (under 'jobsearch') to search for vacancies in your area. You can use the internet for free for job searching at Castlegate, Future Prospects, Explore York Library or your local library. Future Prospects also run workshops in online applications to improve skills in searching and applying for jobs online.
Private employment agencies may help you find work. A list is available at Castlegate or Future Prospects.
Future Prospects offer a structured programme that builds your employability skills, and gives intensive support to find work.
For help on the web, go to direct.gov.uk and search for 'first job' for a good guide all about starting working life.
For Contact Details see our A-Z
Be prepared
Think about what you have to offer an employer: qualifications, work experience (a regular Saturday job could show you are reliable and committed), other skills you have gained through the things you do in your spare time. Ask friends and family to help you sell yourself - they will probably think of positive things about you and what you have done that you wouldn't have thought of yourself.
Get someone to practice interviewing you - if you can video yourself, this is a good way of learning about how you come across to others. Future Prospects, and Castlegate can give advice on writing a CV, help with your job search and interview techniques. Before a job interview, look back over your application, and think of what you want to ask them, as well as what they may ask you. Dress a bit smarter than the clothes you would wear for the job.
For advice about benefits if you are starting work, see here
Self employment
If you're thinking about starting your own business, The Prince's Trust may be able to help with business advice and start up costs etc. See princes-trust.org.uk