It’s A-level Results Day 2021, and students up and down the country are finally finding out their grades for the year.
This year is very different, as exams were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, meaning the grades have been teacher-assessed.
It’s important to remember that whatever happens today, there are many different options out there.
National Career Advisor Ray Le-Tarouilly, who has been a careers guidance practitioner for over 30 years, wants to reassure students that if your results are different than what you exact, "try not to worry as there are a number of different pathways you can explore".
One good option is to go through University clearing. He told The Mirror: "For example, you can consider Clearing - Clearing matches applicants to university places that are yet to be filled.
"It’s available to anyone who has made a UCAS undergraduate application and doesn’t hold any offers."
No matter what, Ray, who joined the National Careers Service in June 2019, says there are plenty of choices out there "to get where you want to go".
He added: "Whether it is further learning, training, work or career choices – make sure you explore which path is right for you.
"On Results Day, the National Careers Service Exam Results Helpline can help guide you through your choices to ensure you are making an informed decision on your next steps."
You might be considering the option of not going to University. "University won't be for everyone. It's important to know all the routes open to you – what you need to access them, and where they'll take you," Ray explained.
Ray recommends exploring technical education and work-based training as choices that can "open doors to lots of exciting possibilities".
He continued: "You can choose to move on to higher education or go into the workplace."
When asked if it's still possible to get a job if you don't go to University, Ray said: "Employers value the knowledge and skills technical education brings – it can take you to the top.
"Thousands of employers are offering high-quality training and hands-on experience to help you get where you want to go – fast."
However, he also says there are a "range of work based training and technical education pathways " that can "lead to a happy, fulfilling future".
Ray continued: "Work based training and technical routes such as apprenticeships, T Levels, traineeships, the Kickstart Scheme and Higher Technical Qualifications were designed with employers to meet direct need.
"They offer hands on experience of work alongside training."
Whatever your results, if you want to find out more visit: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/exam-results.
You can speak to a professional careers adviser for free and impartial information and advice via the webchat, or by calling the National Careers Service Exam Results Helpline on 0800 100 900, open weekdays 8am-8pm Sat 10am-5pm.
