1. How the Careerpilot website can help you find out about alternative routes to higher level study 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 40% 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. A recent survey from City & Guilds found that almost half of 14-to-19-year-olds are reconsidering their plans to go to university.

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. Get help from teachers, parents, friends, careers advisers, etc. Try to get a clear idea of what you want and how to get there

4. Website helping 14—19 year olds in the South West plan their future work & study: Pathway choices at 14, 16 and 18; Info. on 16 job sectors, routes to work and study—to degree level, including Higher Apprenticeships; Progression Planner, Profile Builder, Find a Provider, etc. What is Careerpilot?

6. 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.

12. Options where an employer funds Sponsored degrees Apprenticeships

13. An employer will pay for your training to degree level Competitive and vocationally focused 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. These must be achieved during the same academic year and excludes General Studies.

14. 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 Only available in some sectors You might need to start here if you haven’t got the vocational experience £98 + a week

15. Apprenticeships are like jobs you have to find them! Accounting Business and Administration Contact Centre Operations Engineering Technology Food and Drink IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals Providing Financial Advice Leadership and Management

17. http://vimeo.com/27764227/

18. They offer 570 courses and 250 qualifications. Study full or part time. Standard fee of £5000 for 120 credits (equivalent to a year full time) Loans available for part time study as long at doing 25% of full time course

19. Combine study and work, jointly designed by employers and HE Two years at a college and then a top up year to honours http://vimeo.com/18052903 Cheaper than a uni degree and lower entry requirements

20. To help you choose

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

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