DS decided to leave college

[thebigwave]

DS started A Levels at the local college in September. He's decided college and A Levels aren't for him, which hasn't come as a surprise to any of us. He's going to look for an apprenticeship instead.

I'm concerned about how he's going to explain to potential employers why he's left college. Any ideas?

I was thinking something along the lines of he decided to give college a go but came to realise that he would prefer to learn, and would be happier learning, 'on the job' whilst earning a wage.

It’s a non issue.

There’s so many that try it and thank god have the strength to stop before it makes them ill and miserable.

If he is lucky enough to get onto an apprenticeship, he will be set for the rest of his working life. It won’t matter that he tried one thing and it wasnt for him. He just needs to be truthful.

He just needs to be honest, say it wasn’t for him, and that he needs to be more hands on with his education. It’s a non issue. It won’t go against him.

@thebigwave
Big hugs...its awful seeing our kids struggle.
I admit you are bound to be very worried and anxious about his future till he finds an alternative.
However, as long as your son does "something", I would take it as a huge plus.
The only issue is apprenticeships at 16 are fewer and harder to find.
Rather than A levels, would your son be willing to do B tech or T levels?
He could maybe do a part time job along with those qualifications and get to 18 which will open up a few more doors.

I have a DD who is seriously struggling at 6th form...she also has poor mental health and school/studies are making her struggles worse.
But she won't agree to any back up plans or restarts in 2024.
I cannot make her see any reason.
From my experience, A levels are not for everyone and its ok to change track as long as something else is lined up.

Thanks for the replies.

He's not willing to consider starting again next September, and to be honest there's nothing he wants to do. This has been the problem all along. He chose A Levels because he had to do 'something'.

There are very few apprenticeships, but I don't see what other choice he has. I've said he'll need to look for a job in the meantime but that's also easier said than done at 16.

He has to leave college, he can't just muddle through until he gets an apprenticeship/job, that could take months. But the prospect of him sitting around at home for months is also not a good one. And that means he also won't be doing 'something'.

I feel at a complete loss. He's a good lad, who achieved good GCSE results but he has no clue what to do next.

@thebigwave He can't do a full time job at 16 so it will have to be part time. From .gov website

"In England, a young person must be in part-time education or training until they’re 18."

From a child employment website for more clarification

"Please note that there is now a requirement for young people to continue to participate in education and training up until the age of 18. If a young person starts a full time job at 16 they will still need to complete at least 280 guided learning hours a year in education or training"

I understand that he has decided A levels are not for him but did he speak to anyone at his college before he left? He could have swapped over to BTECs or T levels which he may have found more interesting.

I know he can't get a full time job.

He hasn't left yet, he's going to speak to his tutor on Monday. He can't swap to a different course, it's too late, he'd need to start again in September.

He can lifeguard at 16, my son does, look up courses, there will be somewhere in the next few months. They run fairly regularly. Good luck

Can he join local FE college and do a vocational course which may well be attached to an apprenticeship anyway? Some of them have courses starting in Jan to pick up students his age who changed their mind from their initial post-16 option.

What does he want to do for work? Can be easier to work back.

I would be saying he should stay till Christmas and hunt for an apprenticeship at the same time, the routine will be good for him. otherwise, he needs to find volunteering/online courses etc to give his week structure until he has an apprenticeship.

Hi, just to make sure that you have considered that there is more post 16 than A levels or apprenticeship. Our local 6th form colleges do A levels and BTECs / T levels or just the BTECs. It’s not uncommon for students to start A levels and switch to BTEC for instance if the A level courses do not suit.
The BTEC and similar are very vocationally oriented and usually have a significant work experience element. Quite a few lead to very good apprenticeship placements. Worth looking at if you haven’t already.