19 August 2020
GCSE Results Day 2020: Students encouraged to consider post-16 vocational options
As students find out their GCSE results on Thursday (August 20), Skills Training UK are encouraging young people, who in England must remain in education until age 18, to consider alternative options to the more traditional college and sixth-form settings.
Our Centres offer free BTECs and Traineeships available to those looking for an alternative post-16 educational experience. Three routes are offered: a range of BTEC vocational qualifications (including English and Maths) for 16-18-year-olds, Traineeships for 16-24 year-olds and Apprenticeships.
Through practical work experience and classroom delivery from experienced tutors, students are supported to achieve vocational qualifications and employability skills wanted by employers to help them reach their next level of study, an apprenticeship or full-time employment. Sectors include Business Enterprise, Warehousing, Music Industry Skills, Marketing, and Health & Social Care.
Courses from Skills Training UK allow learners to study towards their BTEC qualifications online. During the height of lockdown, tutors continued to deliver high quality training online and exceptional levels of group and individual coaching and mentoring. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic Skills Training UK has welcomed over 3,000 new young people and adults onto Apprenticeships, Traineeships or one of our other vocational training programmes and we have delivered approaching 5,000 online learning sessions.
Graham Clarke, Director of Education and Social Mobility, said: “We know the release of the GCSE results can be a stressful time for young people and their families, especially if their hard work isn’t rewarded, particularly in the circumstances we find ourselves in this year. Our vocational qualifications are an exciting alternative to traditional college or sixth-form routes, with smaller classroom settings and tailored support for individuals.
“At our Centres in the West Midlands, West London, and Brighton, we offer free vocational training where young people are supported to achieve the skills they need to meet the demands of local employers in industries such as manufacturing, hospitality and business, while allowing them to decide what type of career they want, boosting their confidence, and helping them take their next step – whatever it may be.”
Skills Training UK won the Training Provider of the Year Award at the 2019 Times Educational Supplement (TES) FE Awards and is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
Meanwhile, Apprenticeships are another practical route for people of any age, offering ‘on-the-job’ training while working towards a qualification in a specific sector. Skills Training UK works with a range of employers to create bespoke programmes that directly address employers’ needs, ensuring learners have a real opportunity to progress.
Tutors also provide practical careers advice and support with job searching, CV writing, and interview skills.
Our Centres are holding Virtual Enrolment Events for 16-18 year olds (and their parents/carers) on August 20 and 21. For more info, visit our Facebook Page.
