Vocational course suggestions please

[TeenAndTween]

DD1 is in y10, so has only just started GCSEs.
She is borderline A level material, so she/we would like to have an idea of what college vocational course she could do if she / her grades decide that A levels would not be a suitable choice.

The trouble is she has no idea what she might wish to do later in life. She obviously has a year before she needs to apply and so might get a career in mind by then, but if not what would be a generally useful course to do?

She is excellent verbally, confident talking to strangers, good with languages. Interested in History and drama, likes reading. Not a natural mathematician. Not so good with structuring essays etc, not a great problem solver.

Any suggestions of courses that might be suitable?

Its very difficult to give an answer without more information. You dont say if she is a practical person who would enjoy working with her hands, or maybe shes very social and an office career would suit her better, maybe she likes animals so an animal based course, or perhaps she likes working on her own so perhaps working in a library might suit.

If she is practical then, design/technology type courses would suit or perhaps catering/hairdressing/therapist type qualification.
If she may consider office work then business management/hospitality might suit.
Animal based courses such as veterinary/animal husbandry courses may be better for her personal likes.
A librarian/museum curator type role then english literature/history/art would be an idea.
Perhaps she would prefer a career where she could be self employed such as a lawyer/architect so law/english/design/engineering.

Qualifications I would avoid would be media studies and drama. They're very specific areas of work with very few job opportunities.

The most valuable qualifications are the GCSE's in English Maths and Science. Most positions require these as an absolute minimum.

Ah yes, forgot to say she is not at all practical, anything needing dexterity or artistic skills would be out of the question.

If I had to pick A levels for her now, I would go for something like French, Spanish, History & Drama. But say she gets Bs for these at GCSE, then doing them for A level might be too much of a stretch.

So vocationally the only courses I have come across that sounds possible is Travel and Tourism (though as yet I have no idea of the content), or as you suggest some kind of Hospitality (but with no plate carrying!). Business sounds a bit too mathsy, but maybe it would be OK.

Any bright ideas much appreciated.

Health and social care is a popular choice. I know of students who have gone on to study at some very good universities (they have needed excellent grades though). It lends itself to anything to do with people - nursing, teaching (I know of many students who have gone on to these courses) etc. There are a whole host of careers linked to health care, education and social work that health and social care prepares students well for (it also has work experience as a compulsory requirement - looks great on CV and can be a bit of a 'try before you buy' in terms of choosing uni courses).

PottyL.. If she is not a mathematician or a problem solver I strongly suggest that Engineering and Architecture and Law would be a definite "no"! All need high grades too. TeenandTween... What is wrong with going with History, Languages and Drama? These would be perfectly acceptable A levels. It is not vital to know what career she would like right now. If you choose useful academic subjects you can take a bit longer to decide . I would maybe look at a career in PR, sales or marketing or what about Hospitality or Retail? All of these can be done via alternatives to A levels. We are not all destined to know what we want to do from the age of 3!

Sorry missed other post... No hospitality is not plate carrying. It is hotel and catering management. Why don't you discuss with the school whether they think her likely results will be ok for A levels? Some post A level courses do not require ludicrously high grades because they are not all degree level courses. I would definitely try and keep going to A level if possible though.

How about leisure and tourism as a vocational option which will compliment her language skills? Many MFL graduates end up working in tourism so this could be a good option.

Thank you all.

I think we need to look into the vocational courses in more detail to see what they do entail and where people who study them go onto next. Especially the Health and Social care, and Leisure and Tourism, and Hospitality.

BlackMogul - nothing at all wrong with anticipated A level choices. I would be very happy if she did them or similar for A level. It's just I don't think we will really know until towards end y10 how well the GCSEs are going and what she is realistically likely to end up with for grades. The school are being upbeat at the moment, but that may be to add to motivation, we shall see. We (and she) just want time to ponder gently about stuff, and not be thinking about it all in 3 months flat for college applications next year.