Living in the UK, there’s a lot of opportunities out there. Moving straight into the world of work is quite a jump to make, and sometimes is exactly the wrong fit. So that means that just like GCSEs matter, so do A Levels, and sometimes they matter a little more so when it comes to preparing for the future. However, getting a good job and settling down in a good career that can set you for life doesn’t have to be done through a university. Here’s a few good ideas when it comes to alternatives and finding the best fit for your school leaver.
Heading Online
If your child doesn’t feel like they’re ready for the university experience full on, or they otherwise can’t make it to university and fit into living on campus away from home, they can turn their attention to online degrees. Signing up for something like an online master engineering degree often means it’s cheaper, and can be done from the comfort of someone’s own home.
Online programmes can range from anything. There’s mini courses that you can gain a certificate at the end of, and there’s nano degrees offered in partnerships like that of Google and Udacity. Tailor you or your child’s search history online to suit you both, and keep adverts popping up for school leaving opportunities.
Apply For An Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships have lots of different levels a school leaver can come in at. Whether it’s an alternative to college, or something to continue learning when your child has finished their A Levels or a BTEC qualification.
You earn whilst you learn, meaning you get the necessary experience that people who just go to university don’t have, and blocks them from having a successful job hunt in their chosen field. Even more so in terms of benefits, government programs are constantly funding apprenticeship schemes, and of course they even have their own page to advertise them.
A Traineeship
Traineeships are kind of like a gateway, and aren’t often heard about. A traineeship can lead into a full blown apprenticeship, or even a good career. When you finish a traineeship with a company, and they have a job placement opening, the person will usually be automatically given an interview for it. It’s practically a wrapped package.
Traineeships have a few more guaranteed expectations out of them than any other programmes, such as that of flexibility. You don’t hear a lot about a student’s consideration for a job, but you do hear a lot about what they want from a school leaver. In a traineeship, the fact that the schedule is tailored to fit you is incredible as a result.
University isn’t the be all end all of learning. There’s so many alternatives that exist, and we don’t hear enough about then. It’s doing kids wrong, and can help to mislead then about their futures. Whilst a lot of prestige comes from earning a place at a top university, it doesn’t have to matter to everyone!
