'You don't have to get one of these to have a great career'

What if a degree isn't for me?
A degree isn't for everyone. You might want to get a job and start earning money as soon as you leave school. You'll probably be aiming to avoid the sort of debt that students can build up at university. You could decide that you want to do a job that doesn't involve a degree.

At the moment, only 44 per cent of young people actually go into higher education. According to recent research, it's practical jobs that will enjoy the largest growth in the next few years. And City & Guilds has recently found that it's actually people with hands-on roles - such as plumbers, electricians, hairdressers, mechanics, care assistants and chefs - that are happiest in their jobs.

Whether you want to start working straight after school, or whether you want to spend some time getting ready for work, it's a good idea to consider some vocational training. Vocational training is a type of learning that prepares you for work, or makes you better at the job that you do - so that you can go further in your career.

What if I want to get a job?
With many jobs, you'll get training, and some jobs offer NVQs or an apprenticeship as part of the package. With job-based training you can earn money as you learn, and when you've qualified you'll have a piece of paper to prove your skills. That's why it's a good idea to look for jobs in companies that train their staff. Ask about training when you apply.

What if I want to stay on at college?
There are loads of things that you can do at college to prepare yourself for a job. One of those is getting a City & Guilds qualification.

City & Guilds is the UK's leading vocational awarding body. Our qualifications prove that you have what it takes to do all sorts of jobs. We offer over 500 different qualifications in professional areas including plumbing, hairdressing, health and social care, IT, management, journalism, sport and recreation, construction, retail, engineering, manufacturing, motor vehicle, agriculture, hospitality and catering, beauty therapy, teaching, customer service and business studies.

How can I choose a City & Guilds qualification?
You can visit our website - www.city-and-guilds.co.uk, look for the learners section and then our qualifications finder. When you find a qualification you're interested in, you can enter your postcode to find where your nearest City & Guilds centre is - probably a college in your local area.

You can also look at your options by getting a free copy of our Guide to Qualifications, which gives you the whole picture in a pocket-sized booklet. Phone our Customer Relations Team on 020 7294 2800 for your copy or e-mail guide@city-and-guilds.co.uk with your postal address.