Apprenticeships
Apprentices learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money all at the same time.
You work towards a work-based qualification such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and other nationally recognised qualifications.
e2e
If you are aged 16 - 18 years, you live in England and are not participating in any form of post-16 learning, you can be admitted to e2e if that is an appropriate option which will enable you to progress to an apprenticeship, further learning or a job. Young people under the Extended Guarantee can also participate in e2e.You will be expected to undertake learning in three interdependent core areas: basic and key skills, vocational development, and personal and social development.
Entry Level qualifications
Entry level qualifications can help you build skills, increase your knowledge and boost your confidence. They are known as 'certificates' or 'awards', and are open to anyone interested in gaining a nationally recognised qualification. There are no entry requirements.
They may be suitable if you are not yet ready to take qualifications in one or more area of learning at level 1 of the National Qualifications Framework.
They could also be appropriate if you don't have traditional qualifications, or if you've been away from learning for a long time. You could also choose to take one to explore a subject that interests you.
Vocational courses
Vocational qualifications can range from general qualifications where you learn skills relevant to a variety of jobs, to specialist qualifications designed for a particular sector.
They are available from several awarding bodies, such as City and Guilds, Edexcel and OCR, and can be taken at many different sizes and levels.
You can find out more about vocational qualifications at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's website.
G.C.S.E's
GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. It's highly valued by schools, colleges and employers, so will be useful whatever you are planning to do afterwards.
The qualification mainly involves studying the theory of a subject, combined with some investigative work. Some subjects also involve practical work. GCSEs are usually studied full-time at school or college, taking five terms to complete.
GCSEs are at levels 1 and 2 on the National Qualifications Framework, depending on the grade you get. The framework shows how different types of qualifications compare, in terms of the demands they place on learners.
A Levels
AS (Advanced Subsidiary) and A (Advanced) level qualifications focus on traditional study skills. They normally take two years to complete full-time, although they're also available to study part-time.
You can choose from a wide range of academic subjects, as well as some 'applied' (work-related) subjects.
AS and A levels are at level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework. The framework shows how different types of qualifications compare, in terms of the demands they place on learners.
Diplomas
It's a new qualification that you can do at school or college. There are up to 10 subjects to choose from in September 2009 in different areas of the country. By 2011, there will be 17 subjects in total.
It's different to GCSEs and A levels because:
You'll get practical experience
You learn in the classroom
You'll find out about an area of work you're interested in
You keep all your options open with the Diploma. So when you finish, you can stay at school or college and do another course like the next level up Diploma, A levels or an NVQ. Or, go on to university, do an Apprenticeship or go into a job with training.
Degree
A bachelors degree (sometimes known as an 'ordinary' or 'first' degree) is a course of academic study leading to a qualification such as a bachelor of arts (BA), bachelor of science (BSc), or bachelor of medicine (MB).
It usually takes three or four years to complete full time (normally four years if you're doing a sandwich course, which includes a year in industry or abroad). Bachelors degrees in some subjects can take longer; for example, medical courses usually take five or six years. You can also study for a bachelors degree part time or through flexible learning.
The qualification is designed to give you a thorough understanding of a subject. It helps you develop your analytical, intellectual and essay or dissertation writing skills. You'll also have much more of a say about the direction your learning takes than you've had previously.
Bachelors degrees are at 'intermediate' and 'honours' levels on the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. The framework shows how different higher education qualifications compare, in terms of the demands they place on learners.
Employment
Employees are paid at a rate according to company pay scales, which usually take into account your age, your qualifications and your experience.
New National Minimum Wage Rates from 1st October 2009
Workers aged 22 and over £5.80 per hour
Workers aged 18-21 inclusive £4.83 per hour
Workers aged 16-17 £3.57 per hour
Some workers do not qualify for the minimum wage or qualify after a set period of time. This may apply to you if you are:
An apprentice under the age of 19
An apprentice aged 19 or over in the first year of your apprenticeship
A student on a work placement forming part of a UK higher or further education course if the work placement is for less than one year
Taking part in the European Union's Leonardo da Vinci or Youth Action programme
There may be other reasons why you are not entitled to the minimum wage. If you are unsure, contact the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368 (calls are FREE from landlines; call charges from mobiles vary) or go online www.direct.gov.uk