CAREERS Wales is helping young people in Ceredigion and Gwynedd understand their options as thousands prepare to receive their A-level and GCSE results over the next two weeks.

In collaboration with the Welsh Government, the Where Now? campaign is encouraging young people and their parents/guardians to visit www.careerswales.com/wherenow to understand their options.

Where Now? is funded by the Welsh Government and Careers Wales with the support of the European Social Fund.

Alongside the campaign, on results days, help and advice will be delivered through Careers Wales’ live webinars/web chats, social media chats, Skype support, support sessions at dedicated career centres and through its helpline phone service.

Data released by Careers Wales in the run-up to results shows that, in 2017, 65.53 per cent of Year 13 school leavers in Ceredigion progressed to university, while 17.11 per cent went into work-based training or other employment. 67.5 per cent of Ceredigion pupils opted for school after Year 11 while 20.4 per cent opted for college.

Its Destinations of School Leavers 2017 report, which surveyed 56,404 Year 11, 12 and 13 pupils across Wales, showed that in Gwynedd 67.25 per cent of Year 13 school leavers progressed to university while 15.25 per cent school leavers went into work-based training or other employment. 37.4 per cent of Gwynedd pupils opted for school after Year 11 while 53.2 per cent chose the college route.

Nikki Lawrence, chief executive at Careers Wales, said: “It’s a tense time of year for many young people across the country, but our message is not to panic. There are more options than ever for young people and our advisers are on hand to offer bespoke advice to anyone needing support.

“Whether you’re considering going straight into work, are confused about whether to stay on at sixth-form or go to college, are weighing up university options, or simply wondering how best to spend a year out, we should be the first port of call.

“As always, we are constantly seeking new ways to communicate with young people, including live web chat and through our social media platforms - so hope to reach more people than ever this year.”

Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning, Eluned Morgan, said: “I wish the best of luck to everyone receiving their results over the next couple of weeks.

“It’s normal to feel slightly overwhelmed when making important decisions about the future, so we want to make sure it’s as easy as possible for young people to find out about all the options available to them during this time.

“The Where Now? campaign helps to ensure young people are fully informed about their options following their exams. Whether you want to become an apprentice and earn while you learn, go on to college or university, start up your own business, become a volunteer, or if you’re ready for the world of work – there are so many options available.”

Are you celebrating picking up your A-level or GCSE results? We’d love to feature you in the newspaper and online.

Email your pictures to [email protected] and be sure to tell us your name, school/college and grades achieved