School leaver jobs locally
Real, paid roles for school leavers, apprenticeships, entry-level jobs, traineeships and training. Matched to your strengths and your location, with no degree required.
What jobs can you get after leaving school?
School leavers in the UK can go into apprenticeships, entry-level jobs, traineeships or school-leaver programmes with large employers, none of which need a degree. Most ask for GCSEs or equivalent and train you on the job. Shine lists live vacancies open to 16 to 18 year olds near you.
Last reviewed by the Shine careers team.
The sectors we specialise in
STEM, Agriculture, Manufacturing and Construction
We focus on the skills shortages every other platform misses. Training school students for entry-level roles in industries where the talent gap is widest.
STEMEngineering, science, medical, tech, software, lab tech, electrical, mechatronics.
AgricultureFarming, agri-tech, food production, land management.
ManufacturingProduction, CNC, quality, maintenance, warehousing.
ConstructionTrades, site, building services, civils, surveying.
Entry-level jobs
Real paid roles open to school and college leavers, all sectors.
Apprenticeships
Earn while you learn, with a recognised qualification at the end.
Volunteering & experience
Build evidence employers value, even before your first job.
Matched to you
A 15-minute quiz surfaces the routes that genuinely fit your strengths.
Staying in education until 18? Consider a T Level
In England you have to stay in education or training until 18, but that does not have to mean A levels. A T Level is a two-year technical qualification, broadly the size of three A levels, in one subject area — digital, construction, health, engineering, business, agriculture and more. It includes an industry placement of at least 315 hours (around 45 days) with a real employer, and it is worth up to 168 UCAS points.
For a lot of school leavers it is the middle ground: you get real workplace experience and an employer reference without committing to a full apprenticeship at 16.
T Levels explainedFind a school leaver job that fits you
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Related guides
Part of Shine's apprenticeship guide series, plain-English answers, updated regularly.
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