Options After Year 13
Because so many students go to University after Year 13 it's easy to forget that there are other options available. Taking a gap year |can be more than just back packing, continuing your education doesn't always mean Uni and starting work |doesn't have to be 9 til 5.
On this area of the site you can find out more about these options.
Gap Year
One very popular alternative to going straight to University is to take a gap year. With more people going to University, taking an interesting and productive gap year can help you to stand out from other graduates after University. Popular destinations are Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Thailand and South Africa.
Activities can range from Animal and Marine conservation to Jungle and Rainforest projects. A gap year as a care volunteer could involve working with the elderly, orphans or disadvantaged children.
For more information visit some of the following websites.
www.gapyear.com| - Great ideas and great deals on gap year experiences.
www.gap-year.co.uk| - A Year out Guide for graduates & gap year students
www.gap.org.uk| - Volunteering experiences overseas for 17 to 25 year olds
www.gapyearjobs.co.uk| - Directory of Gap Year Jobs
Continue with your Education
Become an Apprentice
If you’re ambitious and want to get your career off the ground right now, Modern Apprenticeships can do the business for you.
To become a Modern Apprentice you must be employed. You’ll get the kind of practical skills and 
respected qualifications that will land you a first rate career you can be proud of. The sky’s the limit. A Modern Apprenticeship is your opportunity to start learning new things and putting them straight into action.
You can become a trained operator, impress your employer and reach new heights of achievement as time goes by. Some of the most successful people in this country launched their careers as apprentices. Here’s your chance to follow their lead.
To find out much more about Modern Apprenticeships in Wales visit the ELWa website|.
Higher Education
If University is not for you but you would like to carry on learning then a higher education course may be the best option.
Higher Education courses can be helpful if you want to study towards a particular job or career.
Higher National Certificates (HNC) and Higher National Diplomas (HND) can be studied full or part time. There are a wide range of subjects available from Agriculture to Sport and Exercise Science. HNCs and HNDs are described as 'Learning by Doing' which is excellent news if you are looking for a qualification that will lead straight to a career.
For more information about HNDs, HNCs and other courses visit the Aimhigher website.|
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Go to Work
Nowadays there are so many ways to start looking for work it can be difficult to know where to start. A meeting with a careers advisor is certainly a very sensible first step. Contact the Careers Wales Cwmbran office on 0800 0289212 or the Pontypool office on 01495 756666. Alternatively visit www.careerswales.com|. 
Job hunting on the internet has, of course, become more and more popular and there are a number of websites. Many useful sites can be found on webster. Simply follow this link.|
For tips on writing a CV |visit our Employment Information area where Janet Rees from Cwmbran Secretarial & C.V. Services has given her expert advise on writing a first-class CV.
You will also find Job Interview tips |and contact information for recruitment agencies based in Torfaen|, Newport |and Cardiff. |
Visit the Employment Information page on Webster by following this link.|
