Post 16 Education & Training Providers

When you leave Heworth Grange, it is your choice where you choose to study next. Here you will find the most common routes to start your research.

Leaving school will present you with a collection of emotions: elation, fear, relief, apprehension to name a few. The act of change is not easy for anyone and making decisions about your further education can be daunting. The best way to approach this task is with knowledge and information of the choices available to you. The information available in these sites is a good start for you to build up this awareness of the various routes you can take when you leave.

Apprenticeships

Doing an apprenticeship allows you the opportunity to learn, ‘earn’ and gain real-life work experience. You will be expected to attend college or a training centre during your apprenticeship to build skills outside the workplace environment and complement your personal progression in that field of work.

During your placement you’ll be expected to work a minimum of 30 hours per week over a completion period of one to four years (duration depends upon the specific apprenticeship programme).

Apprenticeships are not limited to engineering or construction trades but can be found across most work-finds or areas. In addition, you can now complete a Bachelors of Master’s degree through an apprenticeship programme.

There are four different types of levels:

Intermediate - roughly equivalent to five good GCSE passes
Advanced - equivalent to two A-level passes
Higher - equivalent to the first stages of higher education such as a foundation degree
Degree - comparable to a Bachelors or Master’s degree

Useful links:

Apprenticeships Info (UCAS): https://www.ucas.com/ucas/16-18-choices/search-and-apply/post-16-apprenticeships
Apprenticeship Info (Gov): https://www.getingofar.gov.uk/apprenticeships
Apprenticeship Info (Prospects): https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/apprenticeships/what-is-an-apprenticeship
National Apprenticeships Services Search Engine (Gov): https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch
Apprenticeship Info (Success at School): https://mailchi.mp/successatschool/naw-students?e=[UNIQID]

Traineeships

Like an apprenticeship, this form of development combines learning with the world of work. Traineeships are designed to support the transition into an apprenticeship or job. Usually, those who participate in a traineeship don’t have key skills in English or Maths. The traineeship is designed to build these skills and provide individuals with work experience alongside them. The duration of a traineeship is shorter than the usual apprenticeship and could last up to a maximum of six months.

Importantly, traineeships could also be unpaid – at the discretion of the employer and are not bound by minimum wage requirements. There is a 16-19 year old bursary fund available. Further information on this fund can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund.

Useful links:

Traineeships Info (UCAS): https://www.ucas.com/ucas/16-18-choices/search-and-apply/traineeships

NVQs

National vocational qualifications include practical work-related tasks and are available in subjects ranging from plumbing to hairdressing. This form of qualification can be studied in a college or workplace and are the best option if you know what job you’d like to do.

There are five levels of NVQ and you do not need to start at level one, you can select the level that suits you and then work your way up the NVQ scale.

Useful links:

NVQ Info (UCAS): https://www.ucas.com/ucas/16-18-choices/search-and-apply/qualifications-you-can-take/nvqs

Vocational and Technical Courses

Vocational and technical courses are work-related qualifications and broader in terms of subject. Such courses are best for young people who are interested in working within a particular industry but not 100% certain. A vocational and technical course tends to relate to a subject area such as art and design or business and IT but includes work-based elements also.

Subject specific information about vocational and technical content can be found through the college websites in the profile of the course you are interested in. Further information on this form of qualification can be found in the download below.

A-levels

A-levels are qualifications which tend to focus upon academic subjects but may also include work-related activity. Most people take three or four A-levels, which can be a mix of the traditional maths /science /english /humanities paradigm.

When choosing A-levels, you should choose the subjects you enjoy. However, it is also important to consider the impact they may have on acceptance of a university subject choice (if this is something you are considering). Some university courses require you to take specific A-level subjects in order to meet their entry requirements. When choosing your level, it is worth researching the subject recommendations for the potential courses you may take at university.

Useful links:

A level Info (UCAS): https://www.ucas.com/ucas/16-18-choices/search-and-apply/qualifications-you-can-take/levels

T levels

Designed in partnership with employers to give you the skills and knowledge to get on in the workplace. T levels combine classroom learning with industry placements to prepare you for skilled work or higher level study. One T Level is the equivalent of three A-levels.