Young people must participate in education or training until they are aged 18.
This can take many different forms, such as education, apprenticeships or work with training.
This page signposts you to information on the various options of work and education that you could consider as school leavers, as well as work experience and other opportunities to boost your CV.
Cambridge Area Partnership is a partnership of all the state-funded providers of education and training for 14 to 19-year-olds in Cambridge, East Cambridgeshire and South Cambridgeshire. Visit the Cambridge Area Partnership website for lots of information regarding further education, apprenticeships, work experience, careers, transport and more.
Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study.
To find a local apprenticeship, or one that suits your requirements, visit the GOV.UK apprenticeship finder
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) have also produced a guide to apprenticeships.
Work experience is a great way to trial out different industries while building up your CV.
If you are interested in undertaking work experience at the council, view our information about work experience placements.
It is often worth reaching out to a business or industry that you are interested in working in, as work experience opportunities are not always promoted, but will be created where there is a demand.
If you are aged 18-30, and looking for work in an administration, office, civil service or public sector role then ask your work coach about the Jobcentre's Movement to Work (MtW) program.
This is a one week, hybrid program, 20 hours in total and can offer some flexibility with dates to fit with you.
MtW runs once a month (last week in the month) with two days online (MS Teams) and three days in-person work experience.
The course includes:
Volunteering is another great way to gain work experience skills and boost your CV, while often allowing you to support a community or project.
Voluntary and Community Action East Cambs (VCAEC) is an independent charity in East Cambs who match volunteers with organisations who need their skills. Visit the VCAEC website for information on what opportunities are available for under 25-year-olds.
Local timebanks are another great way to volunteer to support your community. For information on your local timebank, see the links below:
Other ways to volunteer:
Vinspired - leaders in youth volunteer opportunities, search for opportunities in your area.
Do-It runs a database of volunteering opportunities.
NCS is a summer programme of activities, events and volunteering to provide you with the skills you need to set you up for the future.
Volunteering with libraries with Cambridgeshire County Council
For further information on volunteering and how to access opportunities, visit the GOV.UK website volunteering information.
There are a range of post-16 qualifications you can work towards, which can be tailored to your own skills and interests. These can be to train with specific skills for a certain career path, or so that you can develop your interest in broader academic subjects.
For information on what qualifications are available, what each of these entails and to complete quizzes to find out what might suit you best, visit UCAS Post-16 qualifications.
Cambridgeshire County Council provide information on the various further education and sixth form colleges across Cambridgeshire.
Finding a job, either alongside your studies, or once you leave education, requires a range of skills you may not be familiar with as a school leaver.
Looking for a job, attending further education or supporting yourself on a wage for the first time can come with new financial responsibilities that you have not previously encountered.
The government has set aside some money to set up a bursary for 16 to 19-year-olds who may need financial support to stay in further education or training. More information on the 16 to 19 bursary fund is available on the Cambridgeshire County Council website.
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) have also created a general guide to 16 to 19 financial support.
Find out more about research, learning, and your local library service:
How to join the library online