Ds age 16 left college, not sure what he wants to do - help!

[TheSpikySpinosaurus]

Ds got good GCSEs - 6s to 8s. He didn't want to do A levels so applied to a college place and got that. Not after a few days he decided he hated it, it was boring, too slow-paced and he wanted to leave.

So... he's applied for some apprenticeships but hasn't got any yet.

He's doing work experience/training with a family friend in an area he thought he'd be interested in, and thinking about doing an OU course with it.

But he's not meeting anyone new, he's not making friends, he's working in a tiny office with no young people then studying by himself, and he's losing focus.

It's too late for him to start another college course this year, and there weren't any he wanted to do, but is there anywhere else we can look for ideas?

I thought about ringing the teenagers' National careers helpline to see if they have some other suggestions.

Has anyone got any bright ideas? 🙏

Yes speak to his school, if he is 16 he needs to stay in further education and they have a duty to record where he moved to in September. If he hasn't stayed long enough for him to be enrolled at the college the school needs to know. Ask the school to advise where he can find a course to enrol (they may say back at the college, he needs to take their advice seriously).

There will be colleges with availability on their courses now, who may accept him. It's worth ringing around the local options to find out what is out there- there might be a course he hasn't thought of that has spaces and would appeal?

Getting an apprenticeship can be really tricky- if he can talk to a college which supports them, they may be able to help too!

Why can getting an Apprenticeship be tricky?

My daughter had 2 terms out after giving up college. She’s moved to a new college and all is ok touch wood.
Perhaps he should do A Levels. He sounds bright enough to.

@sadaboutmycat Apprenticeships are more competitive than college courses. They are jobs. Employers are taking the young person on as an employee so there’s hoops to jump through to get the job. Every apprenticeship is a separate application. Therefore the Dc have to really get their applications right and go for interviews and assessments etc.

What was he going to study at college? Which apprenticeships has he applied for? What work experience is he doing and is this the area he wants to work in?