Options Available To You If You Left School With No Qualifications
Please find below some of the options available to you if you left school with no qualifications.
OPTION 1 – AN APPRENTICESHIP THAT REQUIRES NO QUALIFICATIONS
There are many apprenticeships available to you if you have no qualifications. These apprenticeships are called ‘intermediate’ apprenticeships or ‘entry level’ apprenticeships or ‘level 2’ apprenticeships.
Once completed you will gain a qualification equivalent to 5 GCSE passes.
These apprenticeships include retail, construction work, beauty care, animal care, chef, waitress, mechanic, carpentry, and plumbing.
This type of apprenticeships last for 1 – 2 years.
If you complete the apprenticeship you can be awarded a BTEC qualification which is a knowledge based qualification and also a NVQ Level 2 qualification which is a work based qualification. Sometimes you may be required to study some English and Mathematics as part of the apprenticeship and take a numeracy and literacy test.
The BTEC and NVQ Level 2 qualifications are equivalent to an individual having 5 GCSEs.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND AN APPRENTICESHIP
OPTION 2 – A JOB THAT REQUIRES NO QUALIFICATIONS
There are many sectors where jobs are available to an individual who has left school with no qualifications such as retail sales, working in fast food restaurants, charity shop worker, and sales executive.
Please visit your local jobcentre. They will advise you which jobs are available for you to apply for.
You could make an application to become a care support worker or a care assistant. To become a care support worker or assistant you do not need any experience.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND A JOB
OPTION 3 – START YOUR OWN BUSINESS
This is something that is possible with or without qualifications, if you have a great idea and have some entrepreneurial flair. Please note that if you start your business at age 16 you will have difficulties in opening a business account, getting a credit card and finance until 18 years of age. You will need parental permission for this.
There is no minimum age to be a sole trader (a business operated by one person where there is no distinction between the owner and the business itself).
You cannot also form a limited company by yourself if you are under 18 years of age but can be appointed a director from the age of 16 years if you form the company with someone who is above 18 years of age.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
OPTION 4 – A JOB WITH TRAINING THAT REQUIRES NO QUALIFICATIONS
There are certain careers you can apply for where they will train you up, then after this training you will go straight into a job. The careers listed below do not require any qualifications. However, the minimum age to start the training can be between 16 and 21 years.
1. Navy – You need no qualifications and you must be 16 years of age.
LINK TO MAKE AN APPLICATION TO THE UK NAVY
2. Army – You need no qualifications and you must be 16 years of age.
LINK TO MAKE AN APPLICATION TO THE UK ARMY
3. Criminal justice such as a prison officer – The minimum age to apply is 18 years.