Jobs, apprenticeships & careers for 16–24 year olds
Find part-time jobs for 16 & 17 year olds, paid apprenticeships, work experience and the best-paid jobs in the UK without a degree — matched to you by a free 15-minute career quiz.
Pick what sounds like you
Wherever you are right now, there's a next step. Pick the one that fits.
What job should I do? Take the free career quiz
Find my match
I'm worried about my grades
See options without A*s
Best-paid jobs in the UK without a degree
See well-paid routes
Part-time jobs for 16 & 17 year olds
See teen jobs near me
Apprenticeship vs university — which pays off?
Compare your options
Paid work experience & volunteering
Find opportunities
School leaver jobs & graduate roles
Entry-level roles and upskilling
Best-paid jobs in the UK without a degree
The biggest UK skills gaps are also the highest-paid routes — tech, green energy, engineering, healthcare. You don't need a degree, you need a foot in the door.
See future-proof careers- Tech & AI
- Green & energy
- Engineering & trades
- Healthcare
- Earn while you learn
- Degree apprenticeships
Free careers tools: CV, cover letter & interview practice
People like you are getting hired
"From unsure about A levels to a Level 3 software apprenticeship in 8 weeks."
Amara, 17
Junior software apprentice
"The quiz showed me engineering paid better than the route I was on. Now I earn and study."
Jay, 19
Civil engineering apprentice
"No experience, no judgment. Shine matched me to a role 10 minutes from home."
Priya, 18
Healthcare assistant
Save your progress. Apply in one tap.
Save your matches, keep your CV in one place, get alerts for new roles, and track every application from one dashboard.
Free forever. No judgment. Your data stays private.
Showing UK opportunities. Based in Belgium?
Bekijk Shine in het Nederlands →No judgment. Free to use. Your data stays private. Need support? Visit our accessibility & support page.
Frequently asked
- What jobs can a 16 year old get in the UK?
- At 16 you can work in retail, supermarkets, hospitality (barista, waiter, kitchen porter), cinemas, leisure centres, tutoring, social media help for local businesses, and most warehouse roles. You can also start a Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship — a paid job with training built in. Minimum wage for 16–17 year olds is £7.55/hour (April 2025).
- What are the best-paid jobs in the UK without a degree?
- Air traffic controller, train driver, commercial pilot, electrician, software engineer (via degree apprenticeship), HVAC/heat-pump engineer and quantity surveyor all routinely pay £40k–£100k+ without a university degree. Degree apprenticeships at firms like PwC, Rolls-Royce, BAE and JLR start at £20k–£28k and progress to £35k–£50k on completion.
- What part-time jobs can I do at 16 or 17?
- Popular weekend and after-school jobs: supermarket assistant, barista, waiter, cinema usher, tutoring younger pupils (£10–£20/hour), dog walking and babysitting. You can work up to 40 hours a week if you're not in full-time education, with a 30-minute break for any shift over 4.5 hours.
- How do I find paid work experience as a student?
- The fastest routes are paid apprenticeships (you're employed from day one), supported internships, T-Level industry placements, and short paid placements at local employers. Shine matches you to live UK paid opportunities based on your strengths and where you live — no CV needed up front.
- How do apprenticeships work and how do I apply?
- You're employed full-time and spend at least 20% of your time training. You earn from day one — apprentice wages start at £7.55/hour and rise quickly with each level. To apply, sign up free, filter by sector and postcode, then apply in one tap.
- Do grades matter for apprenticeships?
- Some apprenticeships have grade requirements, but many don't — and lots of employers will accept you on motivation and let you finish English/maths during the apprenticeship. There are real options even without top grades.