What next? My choices at 16 and where do I get careers advice?

There are lots of education and training opportunities that you can take when you are 16 to 19. The choices you make now will affect the next few years of your life and your later career choices. It's an exciting time and you'll need to think through all your options carefully.

Do you want to stay on in education or get a job with training? The longer you stay in education after 16 and the more qualifications you get, the better chance you have of getting a job you really enjoy. You’ll probably earn more money too.

There are lots of courses to choose from so there’s bound to be something out there to suit you. You can choose to do:

AS and A-levels at school, a sixth form or further education college
a vocational qualification which will prepare you for a specific career, like a chef or an engineer.

If you think you’d rather get a job or do some work-based training, you can choose to do:

an apprenticeship
a job where you train while you work
a job with time off for study towards a qualification
a training programme to prepare you for work.

Connexions have a guide that takes you through all your options at 16 and helps you decide what to do. You can download the 'It's your Choice' guide at Directgov - Choices at 16

You might want to stay on at your school’s sixth form or move on to college. Find out where you can study by visiting our Colleges and universities page.

Don’t panic, help is at hand. The ‘September Guarantee’ means that if you are 16 or 17 and about to leave school or a one year college course, you are guaranteed to get help with what to do next, plus the offer of a place on a course to suit you. You can also talk to:

your teachers – have a chat to the teachers of your favourite subjects
older friends or family who also had to make choices at 16
your parents or carers – they know you best, but bear in mind that they may not know much about the subject or career you want to take
Careers Advisor
Careers 4 U iPhone app

Are you in Year 11 and choosing your options? Or have you been there and done that - what advice would you give? Leave a comment and let us know.

Did you know?

The law now says that from 2013 all young people will have to stay on in education, training or employment with training until they are 17 years old. And from 2015 you will need to stay on until you are 18 years old.

Find out more