A TEENAGER from Prestatyn has shared her story as an example of how careers guidance can help young people who want to explore alternative pathways to traditional education.

National Careers Week returns this week (March 4-9) to celebrate the importance of careers guidance and free educational resources throughout the UK. 

At 17 years old, Olivia Ashley found herself at a crossroads, uncertain about continuing into sixth form at school. 

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Seeking guidance, she turned to Vicky Roberts, her dedicated school careers adviser.

Vicky, a careers adviser from Careers Wales, supported Olivia to explore her likes and dislikes during several sessions together. 

They looked at career roles that might suit her best and discussed the qualifications she would need for those roles. 

Olivia said: “I sort of knew I wanted to do an apprenticeship. I knew I wanted to go to college and study a specific subject.

“Vicky reassured me that I didn’t have to go into sixth form first to do an apprenticeship. 

“She helped me realise I could go straight into one, which was a huge relief.

“I used the methods Vicky showed me to find opportunities. This included the Apprenticeship Search on the Careers Wales website.

“Through this I found the engineering apprenticeship at Qioptiq and wanted to apply.”

With Vicky’s ongoing support, Olivia was able to complete the application process, developing her CV and accompanying cover letter and preparing for an interview. 

She was delighted to be successful in applying for the role.

Olivia added: “I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I’ve realised now that this is something I really enjoy.”

She would now like other young people to know that there are other options they can take after school. 

“Don’t be scared of exploring other options - you don’t have to do what your friends are doing,” she added.

Olivia’s careers adviser, Vicky, said: “It was a pleasure to support Olivia with exploring her options after finishing school. 

“Apprenticeships can be a fantastic alternative to college or sixth form where young people can gain qualifications whilst working and earning a wage. 

“I’d like to encourage any young person looking to explore their options to speak to their school careers adviser or get in touch with us at Careers Wales.”