1. I am in the last two years of my free formal education – what can I do at the end of it? Questions to be asking at this point in time: What motivates me? What type of person am I and how will that help/hinder me in deciding what to do? What skills do I have? What type of pathways are out there for me? Apprenticeship? University? Work? Other? How will I find out about all of these and who can I talk to for help ?

2. What motivates me? It is not always easy to work this out without some help www.plotr.co.uk Is a website that starts with a psychometric game The game has 9 levels with each section focusing on different things Levels 1 and 2 of the game asks about what you would enjoy. What motivates you? Logging into the site enables you to save at any time and to go back at any time. As you play the game, career suggestions are presented based on a percentage of your answers. Click on the icons and find out about the job! Let’s look at the rest of the game

3. What type of person am I and how will that help/hinder me in deciding what to do? What interest me? Level 7 - what are you naturally good at? Level 3 of the Plotr Game looks at personality Personality is your own way of thinking, feeling and behaving. Understanding this can help find careers that are a good match for your work style Level 4 of the Plotr game helps you to think about what interests you Your ‘can’t stand’ Level 5 – anything you want to avoid in a career? Skills you want to use Level 6 – are there any skills you know you want to use in your career? Abilities you want to use

4. Character Report At the end of the game the character reports leads you into more information on career pathways based on honest answers in the quiz. Company Culture Level 8 – knowing what culture fits you best can help increase your happiness in a job Basic Interests 2 Level 9 – having gone trough the game- think about what sounds like fun

5. Plant Radio Worlds Dolphin

6. In under five minutes discover your personality profile: your strengths and what makes you tick what you're like as a boyfriend or girlfriend which celebrities share your personality type There are 16 possible results, each connected to an animal. Which animal are you? www.icould.comwww.icould.com – take the Buzz Quiz As well as Plotr you can access another excellent careers website i could. The questions are based on the Myers Briggs personality types Sensing, Intuitive, thinking, Feeling, Judging and Perceiving

7. You're a Teddy Bear! Myers-Briggs personality type: ESFJ

8. www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk To complete your reflections you could go to the National Careers website and take the skills health check. Your personal skills Skill areas Personal style Motivations Interests Your activity skills Working with numbers Working with written information Working with shapes Solving abstract problems. You can start the skills health check at the level of study – level 3

9. www.youthoria.org Is the website for young people in Cambridgeshire and has links to all good careers websites, universities, apprenticeships, as well as information on health and other related issues. www.plotr.co.ukwww.plotr.co.uk and www.icould.comwww.icould.com In addition to the psychometric activities, these two websites have a wealth of excellent information about a range of jobs and career pathways using videos, descriptions, information and contact details. www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk In addition to the skills health check and a range of other career tools, this site has detailed information about job profiles and links to other information sources.

10. I’m going to uni! The financial implications of university does mean that careful research should be done to ensure that you choose the right university and the right course for your chosen career path. www.thecompleteuniveristyguide.com Contains everything you will need to know to make an informed decision about what university to choose.

12. I’m going to uni! www.ucasprogress.com To go to university you will have to apply through the online UCAS system. UCAS now have a website that will enable to you to find out all there is to know about going to, apply for and enjoying university life.

13. I’m not going to uni! www.notgoingtouni.co.uk This website is for those of us who do not want to go to university. It is the one stop site for apprenticeships, gap years, distance learning and jobs.

14. Sponsored Degrees Some companies offer sponsored degrees so students can get work experience at the company while they study towards a qualification that will enhance their skillsets, becoming graduates who know more about their work. With sponsored courses and degrees the arrangement is typically that you would work with the company during holidays or part time, and study at university for a degree related to your job for the rest of the time. It's much the same way that apprenticeships work but instead of a NVQ, you will end up with a degree. The advantage of employer sponsored degrees is that you not only get a salary, like any other company employee, but you also get 3 years of building up valuable work experience. Sector Accounting (6) Automotive Apprenticeships (1) Aviation & Aeronautics (1) BSL & Deaf Awareness (1) Banking and Finance (2) Business & Admin (2) Construction (1) Consulting and Tax (1) Creative Industry (2) Design (2) Education (1) Electrical (3) Employability Skills (1) Engineering (9) Events management (1) Facility Services (1) Food and Drink Manufacturing (1)

15. Create your own profile on the site and follow providers, ask questions, apply for jobs, Keep ahead with news and event notification

16. Apprenticeships Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice you’ll work alongside experienced staff, gain job-specific skills, earn a wage and get holiday pay, study towards a related qualification (usually one day a week) Apprenticeships take 1 to 4 years to complete depending on their level and cover 1,500 job roles in a wide range of industries, from engineering to accountancy, public relations to veterinary nursing. Apprenticeships are now available up to degree level and beyond and lead to a national, recognised qualification and follow a 'framework' developed by Sector Skills Council. (HNC,HND,BTEC,NVQ..) All apprentices must paid the national minimum wage (£2.73 for under 19 and first year apprentices, £5.13 for 19 and 20 year olds and £6.50 for those aged 21 and over).

17. Higher Apprenticeships: Incorporates a work-based learning programme and leads to qualifications at Level 4 and above, where Level 4s and 5 are equivalent to a higher education certificate, higher education diploma or a foundation degree, Level 6 is equivalent to a bachelor degree and Level 7 is equivalent to a master’s degree. To get onto a Higher Apprenticeship you will need to have entry qualifications at Level 3 - such as A Levels, BTEC or OCR Cambridge National, NVQ Level 3 or an Advanced Apprenticeship. Whatever the type or level of apprenticeship taken, each one is defined by its own 'apprenticeship framework'. https://apprenticeshipvacancymatchingservice.lsc.gov.uk To search for apprenticeship opportunities go to the matching service where you can register and apply for apprenticeships featured on the site.

18. The matching service allows you to search by post code For any level of apprenticeship. Cambridgeshire’s young peoples website Youthoria www.youthoria.org Has a section that features all local apprenticeships which are streamed down from the national site.

19. Employment If you decide to go straight into employment then recruitment agencies will be able to advise you on the best fit for you based on your qualifications and skills

20. Gap Year and voluntary programmes You may decide that you need a break before embarking on the next phase of your career journey. Gap years are a popular option among school leavers as it allows a break after studies and putting some valuable experience on the CV. There are different types of gap year travels: Volunteering, Summer Camps, TEFL and some could even see you earning money. www.notgoingtouni.co.uk Has opportunities and advice for you to research if you think you would like to take some time out. www.vinspired.com Is a website dedicated to helping young people volunteer in ways that matter to them.