How much time is your yr12 DC spending on Uni / Apprenticeship research for summer 2027?

[EatenTooMuchChocolateAgain]

Are your yr12’s spending much/any time looking into their future plans at the moment?

I can’t help but feel my DS should be doing some research into what he might like to do next year after his A levels.

The only thing he knows so far is that he definitely doesn’t want to go to university.

If I’m understanding the process correctly apprenticeships will start being advertised in Oct, and I think ideally he needs to be ready to apply asap when opportunities open?

Ive suggested he looks into work experience options for this summer, maybe some virtual ones.

He seems to feel like he’s got ages to think about all this and isn’t very motivated right now. He has a part time job so he’ll be working a reasonable amount over the summer hold.

What are your Yr12’s doing?

I suggest asking here - https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/further_education/5432950-year-12-20252026-support-thread-2?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

Hi, booked a few uni open days with a bit of prompting. Wants to look at apprenticeships. Also talking about work experience but no action taken. He doesn’t follow through much at this point, is it a boy thing?? To some extent I think they need to learn. I don’t want to do too much for him

Thanks, yes I’m trying to get the balance of support but also it’s got to him putting in some effort too! Not easy is it!

So hard. DC keeps talking about work experience. His brain doesn’t work in a ‘I want to do this, sit down and start’ way. I gave him loads of help to get a job but he needs to become more able to do these things himself.

A ridiculous amount. She is looking into various programs and we are doing campus visits. She knows that the university programs and graduate schemes she wants to pursue require certain types of volunteer work so she has already started on that.

Booked a few open days - been on one so far. Has plan for uni course and soem project to do so has something to wrote about to show interest.

I think it's harder when they aren't going down the uni route. DN tried for full time work and apprenticeships and got nothing ended up another course at college and is now going to uni in September.

There was a careers fare I saw when DS was Y12 that wasn't based on uni - more work and apprenticeships but doesn't seem to be running this year. But careers events while often geared to uni may have something.

Locally apprenticeships places are few and more competative than uni place - so yes I'd look well before they open.

I have 2 in y12 -dt1 decided early on they were going to uni locally to do a specific course I'm hoping they'll look at other universities but we'll see. They have researched and are aware of what they need.
Dt2 knows where they want to end up but doesn't want to go to university (but will need a masters so will be back up plan). We went to two open days in March to get an idea. Came away from one saying they'd be happy to go there if need be. But we spoke to the apprenticeships team there and they do apprenticeship fairs in the winter term. Dc also found out about another university localish who have an apprenticeship centre and open day in autumn term. Dt2 would ideally like everything to land on their plate they will reluctantly do research last minute.
From what we have found by looking this year that lots of apprenticeships were pulled this year but also there seems to be some that advertise in the autumn term some in spring term. Dt2 will need to be prompted over the summer to get cvs ready for then. Out of my 3 dc dt2 is the one that needs the most promping/handholding however i have said dt2 needs to do the research themselves because if they dont/cant it shows theyre not ready for that route.

My DD has chosen a vocational one year course as a gap year and will be applying for degree apprenticeships during that. Since finding that, she's been a bit more proactive. I've nudged her to book two open days, as I think she should also do a UCAS form as a back up. Her school are laying on quite a few days and talks, which is good.

She has set her heart on a DA, and knows it's competitive, but I think she thinks "she'll be one". She is v upbeat and says they have to pick someone etc. All true, but I'm on here quite a lot and read everywhere just how competitive they are.. I also think she would love uni. I am trying hard not to be swayed by all the negative press surrounding cost of degrees and graduate employment prospects. I'm wondering if she should apply for DA next year, just for the experience of applying? Any thoughts on that?

@EatenTooMuchChocolateAgain / OP, thanks so much for the thread. Back to your original question - I realised she had come across the right path for her when she got v motivated about the vocational course. The open days is def her humouring me.