Education, training and work

Legally, you can leave school on the last Friday in June if you’ll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays. However, by September, you will need to be in official education or training.

These are your options:

• Stay in full-time education, e.g. at a college, doing A Levels, T Levels (Introduction of T Levels) or other academic qualifications.
• Start an apprenticeship.
• Work or volunteer for 20 hours or more a week while in part-time education or training.

No matter which option you choose we will:

• Offer you access to advice, guidance and support from our dedicated EET Adviser within the service.
• Offer you careers advice and information including help to develop your CV and interview skills.
• Help with travel costs to school, college, work or apprenticeship if you need it
• Give you the chance to attend and help organise celebration events when young people achieve education, training and employment milestones.
• Celebrate your achievements with you.
• Come along with you to open days and job fayres. Find out what opportunities are available and build your confidence in speaking with potential employers.

Cambridgeshire Skills is the county councils adult learning service. We offer a wide range of qualifications and learning opportunities for adults from aged 19 over, such as:

• Skills for Life: Maths, English, Digital Skills including Money Management
• Customer and Management Skills
• Preparation for employment
• Gardening and Green Skills
• Health and Wellbeing
• Supported learning for adults with learning difficulties

Please see our Cambridgeshire Skills - adult learning page for full details of all courses available through us or our delivery partners. 

Many of our courses are fully funded, meaning there is no cost for you to pay.

If you're 19 or older and a resident of Cambridgeshire or Peterborough, who has lived in the European Economic Area (EEA) for at last 3 years, you may qualify for free courses. This applies if you are unemployed and receiving benefits or are earning less than £30,491 annually.

Other circumstances may also be considered for a fully funded place. Our friendly admissions team will be able to advise you, so please contact them.

Email: cambsals@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or call: 01353 613103

Advice, guidance and careers progression

Cambridgeshire Skills helps learners discover the range of opportunities available to them in today’s economy. We equip them with the skills and qualifications they need to do well in the jobs of the future.

Our Careers and Progression team are here to help you with your career choices. They can offer impartial advice, support your goals, and help you find the right course for you.

Email: cambsiag@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or call: 01353 613103 to book an appointment.

• We will help you access financial assistance, including the 16-19 Bursary Fund of up to £1,200 a year, to support your participation in education. As a priority group for the fund, you can use it to pay for books, equipment, and travel. It is administered by Further Education organisations.

• Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority is providing bursaries for care leavers aged 19 to 22 to build their skills. The funding is on top of bursary funding already available for those leaving care aged 16 to 18. It is up to £1,500 per care leaver . We will help you apply for this if you are eligible.

New skills bursary to help more young people leaving the care system into good jobs and careers

EHCP Learners

If you have an EHCP (Education health and care plan) you are entitled to education up to your 25th birthday. Your EHCP will be reviewed annually. Whether you're in education or NEET (not in education, employment or training) you'll have the opportunity to explore your best next step options.

For more information visit Local offer SEND, preparing for adulthood.

English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)

It is usual to spend at least three years studying for ESOL qualifications. Once you have achieved E3/level 1 qualifications in ESOL you should be able to progress onto a vocational college course. For example, you could learn a trade such as constructions or hairdressing. Alternatively, you could stick with general education such as business or ICT. Learn more at Cambridgeshire Online | Further and Higher Education

Basic skills

Having a good level of English and Maths is needed for most jobs. English and Math courses are generally free.

Find out more at Cambridgeshire Skills - adult learning | Cambridgeshire County Council

Apprenticeships start at Level 2 and go up to degree level. Getting an apprenticeship can be competitive with many applicants for each vacancy. As an apprentice you will take vocational qualifications alongside working. If you do not have GCSE grade 4’s in English and Maths you will study for qualifications in these subjects in addition.

English and maths flexibilities for apprentices with learning difficulties and disabilities - GOV.UK

Become an apprentice: Apply for an apprenticeship - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• As a care leaver you are entitled to a £3,000 bursary for new starters if you are under 25. This is paid in instalments and claimed via your training provider.

• If you’re not a British citizen, once you have leave to remain granted, you are entitled to access apprenticeships regardless of how long you’ve lived in the UK.

We will:

• Pay an allowance to top up your pay to £145 per week if you are working 20 hours a week or more (aged 16/17).
• Pay an allowance to top up your pay to £100 per week if you are working part-time (aged 16/17).

This is based on minimum wage for your age.

If you are interested in progressing onto university, you may be offered a Springboard mentor via the virtual school. You can attend our level 3 learner day with Anglia Ruskin University in October. We can support you to attend open days, applicant days, interviews or auditions if this is not covered by your vulnerable bursary. Ask you PA or social worker for more details.

University students who are care leavers are entitled to full student finance. (This is available for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Child (UASC) care leavers if they have leave to remain). Care leaves will receive a bursary from their university. You you can check what this will be using the  website Propel yourself into higher education - Become.

As a care leaver you will be entitled to a higher education bursary from the local authority. To be eligible you will need to start your degree up to and including the academic year in which you turn 25. The higher education bursary is paid for three or four years if your course includes a foundation year or unpaid work element. If you are retaking a year or choose to study abroad, you can request a fourth year of funding. Only in exceptional circumstance will a higher education bursary be paid for more than four years.

Useful links;

Children in care and care leavers booklet

Care Leaver Opportunities - Care Leaver Covenant

Student Finance

We will:

• Assist you with public transport costs to interviews.
• Cover the costs of public transport for the first four weeks of your job.
• Top up your income if you are employed on a low wage and your earnings are less than the Universal Credit payment after deducting rent, utility bills and travel costs associated with employment. This top up will bring your total income to the value of Universal Credit equivalent plus £10 per week.
• Help with interview clothes if you need it.

Opportunities for work experience, apprenticeships and employment within the council

Care leavers interested in work opportunities within the council should email: Rebecca.McCallum@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Internships available at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough combined Local Authority - Internships available (growthworkswithskills.com)