What jobs do school leavers go into without university or college? Did your child do this?

[TheLivelyAzureHedgehog]

If your child went straight into a job / working from school, without going to uni or college as a full time student, what did they do?

DH left school at 15 and went straight into working for an advertising agency / design studio. It was his PE teacher that set it up for him through ‘contacts’ ie he was friends with the manager at the agency.

i just wondered if this happens any more? Or if any children leave at 18 and go straight into a job and if so, in what field?

Well it obviously happens that some parents are able to assist their children. I suspect this is mainly where the parents are in influential position though (and so probably mainly happens post university) but recruiting processes make it far more difficult now outside of family businesses.

DHs partner at work has a child who was due to go to university but crashed and burned at A Level stage and through work contacts effectively walked into what would have been a graduate job. Now doing very nicely 3 years ahead of per group.

Trades, hospitality, beauty industry, supermarkets, military, logistics, agriculture, cleaning, conservation, landscaping, leisure centres, merchant navy, security, events planning, admin ...

Retail, then an NHS apprentice. Now works for the NHS.

not everyone can or should go into further education
you can have an apprenticeship though, my neighbour did an apprenticeship in a cafe, which sounds like a rip off

The armed forces is a really worthwhile route to consider. They train you in all sorts of different skills which can lead to varied and interesting careers.

If you have the relevant skills, you can work in any industry.

Labouring in their dad’s business while learning the ropes mostly. Traditionally boys but increasingly girls.

My cousin is a hotel manager abroad, he’s managed lots of gyms, hotels and is doing really well.

DS did do a degree but spent two years working beforehand and at 18 post A levels worked for a freight company at an airport doing nightshifts. This was lockdown year, he earned really well up to £19 per hour and was actually on the planes loading, most were not allowed on them. He got his job through an agency. He then got a degree apprenticeship, graduated last year and has a permanent job with the sponsors which he loves.