So you really want to leave school at 16? A word of warning to all learners thinking they can leave education behind at 16…… David Hughes Copyright David Hughes 2004

Why Leaving School at 16 is the bad option. Let us look at three learners aged 16: Learner A Decides that he wants a job at sixteen Learner B Decides to go on to the local college or training provider at sixteen Learner C Stays on at sixth form to study to go to university How will their futures develop?

Learner A Aged 16 I left school and my dad got me a job in a local factory. I’m on over £150 a week. Things are looking up. I can’t believe some of my mates stayed on in school – mugs! I left school and my dad got me a job in a local factory. I’m on over £150 a week. Things are looking up. I can’t believe some of my mates stayed on in school – mugs! Aged 20 I’m on over £170 a week now – it is just not enough to buy, insure and run a car. Looks like I’ll be living at home for a while yet. I’m on over £170 a week now – it is just not enough to buy, insure and run a car. Looks like I’ll be living at home for a while yet. Aged 26 The factory is closing and I’m being made redundant after 8 years. I’ve started applying for jobs but they all want qualifications so I’m finding it hard to get an interview. The factory is closing and I’m being made redundant after 8 years. I’ve started applying for jobs but they all want qualifications so I’m finding it hard to get an interview.

Learner B Aged 16 I didn’t want to stay on at school but I wanted to get a better job and that meant more training. At college I did a two year course and then did online training with Learn Direct in IT and management. I didn’t want to stay on at school but I wanted to get a better job and that meant more training. At college I did a two year course and then did online training with Learn Direct in IT and management. Aged 20 I joined a local estate agent as a trainee – I’ve passed my probation period and things are going well. I’m looking to buy a property and do it up. I joined a local estate agent as a trainee – I’ve passed my probation period and things are going well. I’m looking to buy a property and do it up. Aged 26 I’m on the manager training scheme now and the company are paying for the course – learn while you earn! Sold the first house for a profit and am doing up a second now but I’ve got a holiday to plan at present. I’m on the manager training scheme now and the company are paying for the course – learn while you earn! Sold the first house for a profit and am doing up a second now but I’ve got a holiday to plan at present.

Learner C Aged 16 It was a hard decision to stay on at 16 but I got an education maintenance grant which helped. I worked at weekends so managed to get by. It was a hard decision to stay on at 16 but I got an education maintenance grant which helped. I worked at weekends so managed to get by. Aged 20 I’m two years into my degree and really enjoying the social life I’m two years into my degree and really enjoying the social life at university. I’m worried about the debts I’ll have at the end of the course but I think it will be worth it in the long run. at university. I’m worried about the debts I’ll have at the end of the course but I think it will be worth it in the long run. Aged 24 I’m two years out of University and am on a graduate fast track with Rolls Royce. The pay is good and the work is interesting. I’ve bought my first house and have a company car – I also get to travel to the US regularly. I’m two years out of University and am on a graduate fast track with Rolls Royce. The pay is good and the work is interesting. I’ve bought my first house and have a company car – I also get to travel to the US regularly.

Managing the Risk Of course there are no guarantees, and money is not the only issue. You may win the lottery and won’t have to worry about money – but I wouldn’t plan on it! Of course there are no guarantees, and money is not the only issue. You may win the lottery and won’t have to worry about money – but I wouldn’t plan on it! We all make choices and have to live by those decisions. We all make choices and have to live by those decisions. Sometimes a decision rushed into, without thinking of the consequences, can cost us dear. Sometimes a decision rushed into, without thinking of the consequences, can cost us dear. Let’s look at how the decisions made at 16 worked out financially across a working life for our students…. Let’s look at how the decisions made at 16 worked out financially across a working life for our students….

Get a Job at 16 College/Training Stay in Education Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Assumes: Nat. Min. Wage £4.20, Zero inflation Copyright : David Hughes

At 16 you get to make your choice…… Think it through carefully – look to the long term Take advice from: School Connexions Connexions Family and friends A poor choice at 16 could cost you dear