Today 650,000 school and college students are nervously awaiting the results of their GCSE examinations which could determine which direction they take next. Last year over 69 per cent of entrants gained a grade C or above, with girls outperforming boys across the board and beating them to A grades by 26.5 per cent to 19.8 per cent.
These figures have led to concerns that GCSE exams have been getting easier prompting Education Secretary Michael Gove to consider replacing them with an O-Level type qualification. This view is dismissed by others who accuse critics of the exam system of undermining students’ achievements. However, this is the first year a new, more rigorous, science paper has been introduced which could have an unpredictable impact on results.
So whatever today brings, what opportunities are available for students? Well the first thing to say is that if you haven’t got the results you were expecting, don’t despair as there are options open to you. First of all you can re-sit the paper or papers in question, in which case the attempt with the highest mark will be counted. Secondly, if you feel the grade you received is wrong you can ask for a re-mark. Finally, if you’re still not satisfied, you can appeal to your school or college and ultimately the Exam Board itself.
But assuming you open the envelope and find you’ve matched or even surpassed your expectations, what direction will you now take? Well, as opposed to 20 years ago, the vast majority of 16-18 year olds remain in full- time education and go on to take A Levels. This is because it is recognized that further education provides you with the type of basic skills employers are looking for and will help you secure a better job.
What form this takes will largely depend on the type of career you want to pursue and the qualifications it will require to realise your ambition, but there is another route into the workplace that you may wish to consider. While it’s true that only a small proportion of employers recruit directly from schools nowadays there is a way to train for a career within the industry of your choice that combines practical experience with study.
If this appeals to you, you could choose to take up an apprenticeship and earn while you learn. Apprenticeships are work based programmes, funded by the National Apprenticeship Service, that lead to nationally recognised qualifications. Around 100,000 employers offer apprenticeships in over 160,000 commercial property workplaces and schemes include training in everything from agriculture and construction to arts, media and publishing.
An apprenticeship takes between one and four years, depending on the industry you choose, and will provide you with an income while you train. This currently stands at £2.60 per hour for apprentices under 19, rising to £2.65 per hour from 1st October 2012. However, many apprentices earn more than this with the average wage being around £170 per week and in some roles over £200 per week. Apprentices over the age of 19 will be paid the appropriate National Minimum Wage. You will also be entitled to 20 days paid holiday per year in addition to Bank Holidays.
So if you’re wondering what the future holds following your GCSE results and are unsure whether further and higher education is right for you, an apprenticeship in the industry of your choice provides an alternative route into employment. An apprenticeship will not only provide you with skills and knowledge, it will also give you the experience of the workplace environment that many employers feel young people lack, and make finding future employment that much easier.
Are you a school or college student getting your GCSE results today? Might an apprenticeship appeal to you? Also if you’re a parent of a teenager do you think an apprenticeship in a commercial property workplace might improve your child’s employment prospects or do you believe the academic route will pay greater dividends in the future? Share your thoughts with us below.
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I got 2 A’s, 2 B’s, 4 C’s and 2 D’s. Better than I expected with the A’s. Very happy. I’m off to 6th form in September. Can’t wait!!
Well done Claire and good luck at sixth form and in your future career.