In 2021/22, we delivered a small-scale pilot of our new provision of 1:1 guidance for Year 11 pupils, supporting 71 young people to take positive next steps after their GCSEs.
Dylan, who took part in this pilot last year, told us how the programme helped him to feel more clear about his future and learn about different pathways such as apprenticeships.
Recently, we were delighted to catch up with Dylan on how he is getting on!
February 2022 — When Dylan was in Year 11.
“The programme was really helpful for me because I had no idea of what I wanted to do and the activity of brainstorming my ideas of practical and non-practical jobs I could do, I found that really helpful.
What I found useful in the 1:1s that we had online when I was speaking with my coach was that he told me about different pathways I could take that I never knew before, for example apprenticeships, and what grades I would need for apprenticeships and he told me more about A levels. Before I never knew about those things and it just made it clearer for me.
“Before the programme, I never knew what I wanted to do and it made it way more clearer for me and just helped me.”
My plan is to do construction or plumbing hopefully — I applied for Lewisham college and other colleges and I have an interview soon.
I would definitely recommend it, because before I never knew what I wanted to do and it made it way more clear for me and just helped me.”
March 2023 — Dylan is now enrolled on an electrical apprenticeship.
“I am working as an electrician, on an apprenticeship, and I’m getting on well. I have learned loads of different things so far and met lots of different people. I like it because I get to speak to different electricians and learn about specific parts of the job.
I’m glad I did an apprenticeship because I think it’s way easier as you get to experience everything whilst learning and it's more practical which suits me.
“The programme definitely helped; I wasn't going to do an apprenticeship beforehand because I never knew much about them but the programme gave me the information I needed and made me want to do it.”
My current boss has offered me a job after my apprenticeship so I think I might stay around here for a bit longer and get more experience, then maybe look for other electrician jobs later on — that’s my current plan for the future.
The programme definitely helped; I wasn't going to do an apprenticeship beforehand because I never knew much about them but the programme gave me the information I needed and made me want to do it.”
The Future Frontiers coaching programme can make a life-changing difference to young people and our business partners and coaches provide essential input and support. Get in touch to find out more.