Advice for school and college leavers after exam results

YOUNG people who are uncertain about their future options upon receiving their A-Level and GCSE results can access a wealth of information and advice through the county council’s Connexions service.

Connexions Oxfordshire, part of the council’s Integrated Youth Support Service, gives guidance from trained professionals to teenagers about opportunities, jobs, apprenticeships and courses.

Young people in Oxfordshire, like most sections of society, have faced greater difficulty in the job market in recent months. Connexions Oxfordshire is able to offer advice to 16- 18-year-olds who want to avoid not being in education, employment or training about courses which are available locally in sixth forms, colleges and universities.

Face-to-face support

People can access face-to-face support at various points all over Oxfordshire through Connexions Centres, Youth Centre Access Points and Connexions Outreach locations.

Connexions Centres are offices located in town centres where teenagers can access information about further education, as well as support on other topics, including housing and sexual health. The centres in Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester, Didcot, Oxford and Witney also produce job bulletins about opportunities in their areas.

Access Points are areas in Young People’s Centres where information is dispensed by youth workers about life skills, training, confidence-building and more.

Drop-ins and job clubs for young people are provided at Connexions Outreach locations, including community centres, youth centres and other locations, depending on demand.

People can also meet with a Connexions Personal Advisor who can give advice on issues which may affect younger people at school, work or in their personal or family life, as well as providing information about jobs and voluntary work.

Go to www.connexionsoxfordshire.com for more information about Connexions Oxfordshire and for locations of Connexions Centres, Youth Centre Access Points and Connexions Outreach locations or email askconnexions@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Further information can be obtained in confidence from Connexions advisors over the telephone, online, by text or email between 8am and 2am everyday. Contact details are available at www.connexions-direct.com.

Use Connexions Oxfordshire for your benefit

Councillor Louise Chapman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “There is a huge amount of advice and guidance available for young people through the Connexions service. I would urge any young person who is uncertain about their future to get in touch and discuss what options are open to them.

“It is particularly important for everybody to maximise their potential in these trying economic times – Connexions is an excellent tool to find out what support and services are available.”