Youth education and work

The Education and Skills Act 2008 (external link) states that young people must participate in education or training until they are aged 18. This could take many different forms, such as education, apprenticeships or work with training. This page should signpost you to information on the various avenues of work and education that you could consider as school leavers, as well as work experience and other opportunities to boost your CV.

Education

CAP: Cambridge Area Partnership 14 to 19

Cambridge Area Partnership is a partnership of all the state-funded providers of education and training for 14 to 19 year olds in Cambridge, East Cambridgeshire and South Cambridgeshire. Visit the Cambridge Area Partnership website (external link) for lots of information regarding further education, apprenticeships, work experience, careers, transport and more.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. Visit our apprenticeships information pages to find out more, including how to apply.

To find a local apprenticeship, or one that suits your requirements, visit the GOV.UK Apprentice Finder (external link)

UCAS have also produced a UCAS guide to apprenticeships (PDF)

Work experience

Work experience is a great way to trial out different industries while building up your CV.

If you are interested in undertaking work experience at the council, view our information about work experience placements.

It is often worth reaching out to a business or industry that you are interested in working in, as work experience opportunities are not always promoted, but will be created where there is a demand.

Are you aged 18-30, and looking for work in admin and office? Perhaps interested in working for the civil service or public sector? 

If so, and you would benefit from gaining work experience, please ask your work coach about the Jobcentre's Movement to Work (MtW) program.

The offer is a one week, hybrid program, 20 hours in total - can offer some flexibility with dates to fit with you.

MtW runs once a month (last week in the month), two days online (MS Teams) and three days in person work experience.

The course includes:

  • Confidence building content and tasks
  • Job searching and employability skills 
  • Preparing for an interview or a mock interview 
  • Project work 
  • Work shadowing and work experience with staff at the Jobcentre 
  • Certificate upon successful completion 

and much, much more!

Volunteering

Volunteering is another great way to gain work experience skills and boost your CV., while often allowing you to support a community or project.

Voluntary and Community Action East Cambs (VCAEC) are an independent charity in East Cambs who match volunteers with organisations who need their skills. Visit the VCAEC website (external link) for information on what opportunities are available for under 25 year olds.

Local Time banks are another great way to volunteer to support your community. For information on your local time bank, see the links below: 

Other ways to volunteer:

For further information on volunteering and how to access opportunities, visit the GOV.UK website volunteering information (external link).

Further education

There are a range of post-16 qualifications you can work towards, which can be tailored to your own skills and interests. These can be to train you with specific skills for a certain career path, or so that you can develop your interest in broader academic subjects.

  • For information on what qualifications are available, what each of these entails and to complete quizzes to find out what might suit you best, visit UCAS Post-16 qualifications (external link).
  • Cambridgeshire County Council provide information on the various further education and sixth form colleges across Cambridgeshire.

Work

Finding a job, either alongside your studies, or once you leave education, requires a range of skills you may not be familiar with as a school leaver.

Financial support

Looking for a job, attending further education or supporting yourself on a wage for the first time can come with new financial responsibilities that you have not previously encountered.

The government has set aside some money to set up a bursary for 16 to 19 year olds who may need financial support to stay in further education or training. Find out more about information on the 16 to 19 bursary fund on the Cambridgeshire County Council website (external link)

UCAS have also created a general guide to 16 to 19 financial support (external link)

Research and learning

Find out more about research, learning, and your local library service:

Other links you may find useful: