1. Employment after A levels

2. In 2009 - 20% of A level students in the South West entered employment straight from their studies.

3. Why choose the work option after A levels? money to spend Students may need to support themselves or others fear of substantial debt during time at university concern about finding a well paid job after university tired of study reached academic ceiling

4. no further qualifications needed for chosen career eg dental nurse friends are in work no one from family has ever gone to university

5. Common jobs after A levels Administration, Commerce, Finance, Hospitality, Leisure, Nursing and Caring, Retail, Tourism, Uniformed Services

6. Local A level leavers have gone into the following: HSBC, Helphire, Airbus (engineering) trainee, accountant, hairdressing, retail, Wessex Water (engineering or administration), insurance, nursery nurse, air cabin crew, care assistant Local AS leavers have gone into the following: Apprentice engineer, trainee shopfitter, retail, catering, admin, ICT, trainee quantity surveyor, motor mechanic

7. Education doesn’t stop on leaving school. There might be part time training or Higher Education. It is possible to continue to gain qualifications in the workplace eg Human Resources, Legal Executive. Many organisations provide in-house training eg Civil Service

8. Other ways of learning: Open University No formal entry requirements needed A full time course at a local College of Further Education

9. Apprenticeships Up to age 25 years -- although some employers may prefer under 18s in certain trades eg in construction. It is most important to find an employer. www.apprenticeships.org.uk

10. Agencies, temporary work, a Saturday job or work experience may lead to permanent employment.

11. When to apply? Start from November or December. Send speculative letters. Vacancies may appear from Christmas, so look in the press, Connexions or Job Centre webpages, employment websites

12. What can I do without a degree? Administration, Agriculture or horticulture, animals, engineering/construction /manufacturing, work with figures or money, hair and beauty, health and social care, hospitality, travel and tourism, sport, IT, science, photography, retail/marketing/advertis ing, transport, uniformed services

13. A full time university course is not always the only way to a professional job eg hotel or retail management, surveying, accountancy, journalism (although many are graduates)

14. If you don’t know what you want to do………? Kudos Careerscape www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u

15. RESOURCES Books and leaflets eg What can I do with no degree? Employment after A levels Your way forward, Options at 18

16. Websites eg www.notgoingtouni.co.uk www.connexionswest.org.uk www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

17. How Connexions can help Interview with Connexions Personal Adviser Job vacancies – www.connexionswest.org.uk