As students across the UK find out their GCSE results, Skills Training UK are encouraging young people to consider alternative options college and Sixth Form.

Skills Training UK, which has centres in Birmingham, Dudley, Walsall, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton, offer free BTECs and Traineeships available to those looking for an alternative post-16 educational experience.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic Skills Training UK has welcomed over 3,000 new young people and adults onto Apprenticeships, Traineeships or a vocational training programme and have delivered almost 5,000 online learning sessions. Graham Clarke, Director of Education and Social Mobility at Skills Training UK, said:

“We know that the release of GCSE results can be a stressful time for young people and their families, especially if their hard work isn’t rewarded, particularly in the circumstances we find ourselves in this year.

“Our vocational qualifications are an exciting alternative to traditional college or sixth-form routes, with smaller classroom settings and tailored support for individuals.”

Tasfiah Anjum was referred to Skills Training UK by her career’s adviser at school after deciding sixth form wasn’t the right route for her.

After enrolling in a level 2 BTEC First Certificate in Health & Social Care, she became much more confident and learnt lots of new valuable skills which she would like to use towards her future studies in Health & Social Care. Tasfiah, who has recently applied for a Level 3 qualification in Health & Social Care, said:

“I really enjoyed my course from start to finish. I loved learning all of the theory in the classroom and then putting that into practice in my placement as a Nursery Nurse at Salisbury Primary School.”

To find out more, visit skillstraininguk.com.