Leaving School - You Choices at 16
It can often be bewildering for teenagers leaving school and faced with so many options and decisions to make. Here are some links that may help you make those important choices.
General Advice
Connexions
The Connexions service, which has a website at http://www.connexions.gov.uk/, offers advice to young people aged 13-19 about everything including health, relationships, housing, money, work and learning. There are also discounts and prizes available for members whi sign up for a Connexions Card.
Young People's Gateway
The DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) has a website at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/youngpeople/index.shtml full of useful advice about your options at 16.
Staying in Education
Local Colleges and 6th Forms
Four local schools have a 6th form; The Lindsey School and Community Arts College, Matthew Humberstone Church of England School, Tollbar Business and Enterprise College and Oasis Academy Immingham.
Franklin College, who have a website at http://www.franklin.ac.uk, offer many courses including AS/A levels, AVCE, Intermediate Vocational Certificates of Education, GCSEs and Key Skills, plus evening classes and courses for adults who wish to return to education.
Grimsby Institute of Further & Higher Education, formally Grimsby college, offers GCSE's, A-Levels, Modern Apprenticeships, NVQ's, GNVQ's, and courses right through to degree level, for school leavers and mature students. Go to their website at http://www.grimsby.ac.uk/ for a full prospectus.
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
You may qualify for an EMA of up to £30 a week, to help towards items such as travel, books and equipment, if you stay at school or college after your GCSE's. You must be on an academic or vocational course for at least 12 hours of guided learning a week. Go to the EMA website to see if you qualify.
Finding Work
Council Vacancies
A list of current vacancies at North East Lincolnshire Council can be found on the council's website - /forms/apply-for-it.htm.
Directgov jobs and skills search
The Directgov jobs and skills search, available at www.direct.gov.uk/findajob, has the facility to search for jobs online by job title or area, plus careers advice, training information, tips for job applications and interviews, CV help and advice about tax credits, benefits and childcare.
(replacing the Worktrain web site)
Job Centres
Local job centres can be found at 225 Victoria Street in Grimsby (call 01472 622200) and at 4-6 Kennedy Way in Immingham (call 01469 522400). JobCentre Plus also have a website at http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/ listing all the jobs available.
Fish4Jobs
Fish4Jobs' website at http://fish4.co.uk/jobs/index.html lists vacancies from local papers all over the UK. It's searchable by area and job title, and saves you a lot of paper and ink-stained hands!
Grimsby Telegraph
The Telegraph's website lists the jobs that have appeared in the local paper at http://jobs.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/.
JobsGoPublic
The JobsGoPublic website at http://www.jobsgopublic.com/ lists jobs available in the public and not-for-profit sectors, like local authorities, charities, the NHS and central government.
Training and Vocational Courses
New Deal
The new deal for young people is open to anyone aged 18-24 and could help you get training towards your career.
Modern Apprenticeships
If you are aged 16-24 and want to be paid while you learn, then a Modern Apprenticeship may be for you. You'll earn a proper wage and be able to work towards a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), Key Skills qualification and, in most cases, a technical certificate such as a BTEC or City & Guilds. Information about the vocational opportunities available by calling the free helpline on 08000 150 600.
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)
You can find out more about NVQ courses at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/nvq/.