Getting advice

Support and advice is available to help you with career planning and to guide you through the different options.

If you are aged 19 or under (or up to 25 with disabilities), a good starting point is to see a Connexions Personal Adviser, who specialises in careers, at school or at the local Connexions Centre in Bradford or Keighley. This service is free and offers:

• careers guidance and information on different jobs
• vacancies for jobs, pre-employment courses, work- based
• Foundation Learning Tier programmes and apprenticeships
• independent advice and information on apprenticeships, employment and courses
• help with decision making
• help to look for jobs
• help with overcoming any barriers which might prevent you from entering learning opportunities such as housing issues.

You may also think about getting advice from parents and other people who you trust. Work experience, or talking to someone who already does whatever you are interested in, can also help you to make your decision.

If you have a disability, most Connexions Centres have Learning Difficulties and Disabilities specialists who can offer specific advice. You may also like to talk to a Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) at your Jobcentre Plus. They specialise in giving advice and support to disabled people and their employers.

Don’t panic if you feel you have made a mistake and don’t like what you are doing after you leave school. Go and see a Personal Adviser again.

Where to find out more

• SkillsHouse