16 year old left school, now what?

Raksha

My son has wanted to join the Army since he was about 8. He left school last month with the aim of signing up. Now, with all the redundancies in the forces, he's not so sure, but we don't know what his options are. He's had it to the back teeth with school, has no idea what sort of 'trade' he'd like, but is quite interested in Agriculture or maybe one of the uniformed services. Being financially independent is very important to him - is there any financial support for 16+ in college these days?

Person_one

What area are you in?

Has he looked at apprenticeships?

I bet you're relieved he's rethought his army plans!

relic

Any sort of uniformed service is going to be a problem right now, i'd look at getting an apprenticeship (appprenticeships.org.uk) and perhaps joining the TA or Royal Marines Reserve like me. Then perhaps in a few years, when hopefully proper recruitment starts again he will have a head start.

Raksha

We're in Bletchley, Milton Keynes. Yes, part of me is relieved, but although I don't come from a 'Forces family' I felt it was a good choice for him - he's not academic, but he's a great team player and motivator to those around him.

McKneff

My grandaughter who was 16 last November is leaving home for Army Training to be in the Artillery/gunner and we are very very proud of her.

jamespir

could he not get some work with an agency till hes ready to join up

TooSad

I would suggest he looks at apprenticehsips too - the National Apprenticeship Service website shows the apprenticeships that are available, this link will help you with searching for whats around https://apprenticeshipvacancymatchingservice.lsc.gov.uk/navms/Forms/Candidate/Apprenticeships.aspx

There is financial assistance for students at 16, but instead of EMA its in the form of a Bursary that isn't as readily available like EMA was.

There is a brilliant agriculture college up near me, which isn't probably any use to your son but its worth bearing in mind that there are places around - this place takes students from 16 and they can stay there full time so he would get his independence, and they offer financial assistance and bursaries in certain circumstances. http://www.bishopburton.ac.uk/

TooSad

onlyroz

I would suggest some sort of vocational training - maybe he could aim to be an electrician/plumber/builder, or any other such trade which is in high demand.

halight

McKneff wrote: »

My grandaughter who was 16 last November is leaving home for Army Training to be in the Artillery/gunner and we are very very proud of her.

I wish her all the very best.

Thank her for her service from me!

mark55man

don't assume recruitment has stopped. As its a numbers game they will be looking to the more expensive (senior/longer serving) people - that's my guess. I doubt they will be completely stopping recruitment.

Equally when he's done his basic training things may be different - and also he will have had some time in the army to find out what he's good at.

Keep trying - it may be harder than previous years (more candidates/less jobs) so he will need to work hard and research before interview/application

Counting_Pennies_2

Apprenticeships are a good idea. When I worked 8 years ago it was a case of a company having a vacancy and seeing it as a job that could be a trainee post, ie an Apprenticeship linked from the job to going to a course once or twice a week to learn a trade. That could be either an office job or a physical trade.

I have to say either plumbers or electricians do well these days with the need to have a qualified someone to carryout work in the house.

What I would suggest is he looks into apprenticeships and work out what he might like to do.
http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/

To stand a chance of winning a position as an apprentice, it might be worth him contacting either a company, or a one man band and ask if he could work for free as a runner for them and watch what it is they do. That will give him an idea if it is what he would like to do and also give him a leg up in the interview when a post becomes available as it will show he is serious about it and has been prepared to give up some of his holidays to get more information and work.

I would suggest you do a deal that he does not leave 6th form or a college course until he has secured a job. The important thing is to keep his work ethic going that is always attractive to prospective employers