Making career choices that are right for you

You should start planning for your future early on in school, there is lots of help and support available.

There are many ways to move forward into employment – and lots of support to help you do that, based on your individual strengths, needs and aspirations.

Access to careers advice starts in school and continues on from there into employment or further education.

You can get help with many things including:

• deciding which subjects or courses to choose
• sampling work experience placements
• creating tailored CVs to look for part-time or full-time work
• applying for apprenticeships, supported internships, or paid employment

For advice on education, training and work, visit our guided advice form, this is a tailored tool for your individual careers planning journey. 

Additional resources are available below to help you explore careers ideas and opportunities: 

Careers Pro - this AI-powered platform identifies your top career qualities and empowers you to choose careers that align with them.

What is Virtual Work Experience - Navigating the world of work can be daunting and stressful. Complete these virtual work experiences around your studies and begin your career now.

My World of Work - Take this personality quiz and learn about the things you're good at and jobs which may suit you. It only takes a few minutes. 

My World of Work Job Profiles - Job profiles to help explore what different jobs involve.

I Could - Real-life career videos and ideas for your future

Talking Futures - this offers support to parent/carers when having conversations about the future.

Additional support with making career choices.

If you have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP), you might be eligible for a Supported Internship. This programme is designed to be a final year of education, to support young people into paid employment.

If you have a health condition or disability and are looking for support to find work, or a volunteer placement you could get extra support from Cheshire East Supported Employment team who work intensively with disabled people with more complex needs. The team offer a quality employment service across the whole of Cheshire East to people who: 

• are economically inactive and would like to be in a work environment, either paid or voluntary
• are a young person in transition from children’s to adult social care services or are currently receiving support from adult social care services

Once a paid job has been secured,  Access to Work can help you stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.

The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:

• a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
• support with managing your mental health at work
• money to pay for communication support at job interviews

Once you finish education your EHCP  will no longer be required, we will make decisions on when to cease or maintain a plan on an individual basis in accordance with the statutory tests and processes.