Part-time study alongside work or volunteering – What are my options in Doncaster?
From the age of 16, all young people in England must stay in some form of education or training until they are at least 18, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t earn a wage or gain work experience if that’s feels like the best fit for you! You have the option to combine part-time study with working or volunteering.
This pathway gives you the flexibility to work or volunteer for 20 hours or more a week, while continuing to study part-time, and is ideal if earning money, gaining experience or going down a more independent route is important to you.
How does it work?
- Part-time study: You must find part-time study or education with an approved education or training provider and be working towards a nationally recognised qualification. More information about how to find a course can be found below
- Work/Volunteering: You have to be employed, self-employed or volunteering for at least 20 hours per week. More information about how to find employment can be found below.
- Apprenticeships: Apprenticeships are a popular option for those looking to combine paid employment with training, and many combine four days of workplace training with one study day at a college or similar, although this may differ for some apprenticeships. More information about work-based training and apprenticeships can be found HERE
Things to think about:
- You’ll need to organise your time well to balance work and learning
- Not all jobs will meet the required 20+ hours per week - make sure you check this before committing!
- You will still need to meet your education requirements until at least your 18th birthday
- This can be a good stepping stone to full-time work, an apprenticeship or another course in the future, while building up your qualifications and skills
Finding a course
You can find a full list of available courses which can be filtered by location, full and part time and subject area on the National Careers Service website HERE.
You could also look at local colleges which may offer part-time education and study options.
Finding employment or volunteering alongside your training
Paid Employment
If you choose to combine part-time education or training with paid employment, you will need to find the right fit to ensure you can balance the demands of both training and work. Working alongside your studies or training can be a great way to earn a wage whilst progressing your education if this important or necessary for you, and it's also an opportunity for you to potentially put some or all of the skills you are gaining in education or training into practice in work. You need to secure at least 20 hours per week.
Advance Employment Hub
Doncaster benefits from a fantastic local service, Advance Employment Hub, who not only cna advise and support you in finding work and becoming work ready, but can also advise on the training and education options for you. The team is made up of Careers Advisers and Ambition Coaches designed to get you where you need to be to reach your goals. This service is free to access for anyone in Doncaster
Find out more about Advance Employment Hub HERE
National Careers Service
The National Careers Service is a free national resource providing advice and guidance around careers, finding work and wider next steps information.
Find out more about the National Careers Service HERE
Volunteering
You can also choose to combine part-time education or training with volunteering opportunities. This can be another great way to develop work experience and soft skills needed for future careers but without th pressures of paid work or employment whilst you're still building you confidence in the workplace. It's also an opportunity for you to potentially put some or all of the skills you are gaining in education or training into practice in work. You need to secure at least 20 hours per week.
The National Careers Service has some excellent volunteering advice including how to find and set up volunteering opportunities HERE
Want to speak to someone about your options?
Doncaster Participation and Transition Service (PATs) | A free and friendly support service providing information, advice and guidance to young people aged 16 to 18 - who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), signposting to relevant services and/or education and training providers.
- Contact them at PATS@doncaster.gov.uk or on 01302 862150
- Find out more at Participation and Transition Service - City of Doncaster Council
Advance Hub Doncaster | Advance provide support and guidance around careers, employment and training, including dedicated Ambition Coaches to help you figure out your next steps
- Contact them at advanceemploymenthub@doncaster.gov.uk or on 01302 735 554
- Find out more at Advance Employment Hub