1. Alternative routes to higher level study and how the Careerpilot website can help you find out more Sue Lewis: Western Vocational Progression Consortium (WVPC) www.careerpilot.org.uk

2. Why not go to uni at 18/19? Who isn’t convinced that uni will be worthwhile? Who is worried about the debt? Who wants to start work at 18? You don’t start paying back until earning £21,000. At £22,000 that’s £7.50 a month 30% of students study part time Many are over 21 Degree essential route for specific jobs. Also good if you are undecided about job area as many employers are looking for graduates with any subject. Applications to universities in the UK have risen by 4% compared with this time last year - with many more women than men applying.

3. Whatever you decide, you need to: Explore all your choices and work out the pros and cons Check out the progression opportunities, funding support, etc.

4. Website helping 14—19 year olds in the South West plan their future work & study: What is Careerpilot?

5. What is Higher Level Study? www.careerpilot.org.uk Higher education means any qualification at Level 4 or above (A levels, BTEC National and Advanced Apprenticeships are Level 3). Higher education courses are offered at universities, colleges and also some training providers too.

10. Combine study and work, jointly designed by employers and HE Two years at a college and then a top up year to honours degree Can sometimes be cheaper than a uni degree and lower entry requirements Here are some of the vocational areas that offer Foundation Degrees: Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care Arts, Media and Publishing Business, Administration and Law Construction, Planning and the Built Environment Education and Training Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Health, Public Services and Care Information and Communication Technology Language, Literature and Culture Leisure, Travel and Tourism Retail and Commercial Enterprise Science and Mathematics http://vimeo.com/18052903

13. Alternative routes: Employer funded Sponsored degrees Apprenticeships

15. More than 85,000 employers across the UK offer apprenticeships lasting between one and four years, and covering about 200 different jobs, from animal care to construction to web design. Learn on the job with an employer, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money at the same time. Competitive Now available in over 40 sectors You might need to start here if you haven’t got the vocational experience £99 + a week

18. http://vimeo.com/27764227/

22. An employer will pay for your training to degree level Competitive and vocationally focused Business Management and IT To be eligible, you will need: At least five A*-C GCSEs (or equivalent), including English and maths. To have, or be predicted to get, 300 UCAS points across 3 A-Levels (or equivalent) at grade C or above.

23. OU offers 570 courses and 250 qualifications. Study full or part time. Standard fee of £5124 for 120 credits (equivalent to a year full time) Loans available for part time study as long at doing 25% of full time course

24. MOOCs : Massive Open Online Courses Introduction to ecosystems Introduction to forensic science Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions Shakespeare’s Hamlet: text, performance, and culture Preparing for uni Exploring our oceans Introduction to Mathematical Thinking Music's Big Bang: How American Roots Music Gave Birth to Rock 'n' Roll Etc….. Why MOOCs? Chance to try out a uni level course. Help you prepare for a specific uni subject. Do alongside work. For personal interest.

25. Summary of alternative routes: Different qualification: Foundation Degree HNC/HNDs Employer funded: Apprenticeships Sponsored Degrees Distance learning: Open University Free MOOCs HE Level Study

26. To help you choose

30. Save all your topics of interest and your Profile in My Careerpilot

32. Get the free Careerpilot App. for any phone or tablet Download it from the Careerpilot site or from www.careerpilotapp.org.uk Careerpilot App. QR code

33. 413 users completed online survey: Filtered the responses from post 16 (61): 99% said it was useful 97% said it was interesting 97% will use again 86% learnt about routes to uni through work 83% learnt info. about jobs Careerpilot has enlightened me to the exciting range of possibilities that await me in the near future and made decisions that little bit less daunting! Directed me into the right directions after sixth form! I now know what qualifications I need to go to university. Feedback from users

34. Explore, ask for support, decide what is best for you. www.careerpilot.org.uk