At the end of year 11 your son or daughter will have two main choices:
- Stay in full-time education at school or college
- Start work and training

The choice is theirs, but plenty of support is on offer from Careers Wales to help them decide. Their Careers Adviser in school will help them look at all their options and at what will suit them best.

No matter what level your child achieves, there will be something to suit them. Parents can talk to Careers Advisers at parents' evenings, careers events or by making an appointment at their local careers centre or careers shop.

Making choices at 16 can be a tough task. There are many ways parents can help, here are just a few:

• Discuss your son's or daughter's future career ideas and encourage them to consider all the options.
• Offer suggestions of your own but be prepared to have them criticised or rejected.
• Discuss their ideas with the Careers Adviser and Careers Teacher at parents' evenings.
• Attend open days or evenings and other careers events at local schools and colleges.
• Talk to subject teachers about your son's or daughter's progress at school.
• Support them with their school work and encourage them to reach their full potential.

Encourage:

• out of school activities that help develop skills.
• them to use this site either at home, in school or at the Careers Centre or Careers Shop.
• positive attitudes towards equal opportunities.
• them to be realistic and ensure they have a back-up plan should their original plans fall through.