Skills for Life: real routes into work

If you’re watching the live stream, you’re in the right place. Explore practical pathways like T Levels, Apprenticeships, and Higher Technical Qualifications - and see what could work for you.

Explore available options below - no sign-up necessary.

In partnership with

Why skills for life?

Not everyone wants the same next step - and that’s okay.

Skills for Life brings together practical education and training routes designed with employers, so you can build skills that lead to real jobs. 

You don’t need to decide today. This page is here to help you understand what’s out there.

Choose a pathway to explore

T Levels

Classroom learning + a real industry placement.

T Levels are a post-16 option designed with employers. They combine study with hands-on experience, making them a strong choice if you enjoy learning by doing.

Explore

T Levels

Young male wearing protective goggles during T Level, working alongside an employer and operating a large saw

Higher Technical Qualifications

Advanced technical skills for growing industries

HTQs are Level 4–5 qualifications developed with employers. They focus on specialist skills and often take 1–2 years to complete.

Explore

HTQs

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn.

Apprenticeships are real jobs with training built in. You get paid, gain experience, and develop skills that employers are looking for — from entry level through to degree level.

Explore

Apprenticeships

Young female apprentice in an office setting and chatting to employer engaged in conversation whilst on laptops.

The big work Experience Challenge

The Big Work Experience Challenge is a national challenge designed to help you explore real career pathways, build confidence, and take meaningful steps towards your future.

Complete programmes, explore different routes, and see where your interests could take you - all in one place.

Watching the LIVEstream?

If the stream has sparked your interest, this is your next step. 
‍
- Pick one pathway to explore in more detail
- Save this page and come back later
- Want to see all approved options across England?

Hosted on

Understanding Your Options

These courses are designed to give you real insight into what it’s like to progress onto a T Level, Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ), or an Apprenticeship.

You’ll explore the subjects, skills, and expectations involved, helping you decide which pathway is right for you.

T Levels

→

Higher Technical Qualifications

→

Apprenticeships

→

What do current students have to say?

I feel like this course was perfect in understanding Apprenticeships, how they work, how they provide you with skills and stories from apprentices in competitive industries and how they find their experiences!

Apprenticeship Pathway Student

I enjoyed learning about the benefits of doing a higher technical qualifications, especially knowing that the chances of being employed and it having a faster route to advance into the career is better than choosing the a level path.

HTQ Pathway Student

Learning about T Levels as I was unaware that they were an alternative to doing a levels and you have work experience or time in industry built into your curriculum which saves the stress of having to find work experience yourself

T Level Pathway Student

There’s no single right route. Skills for Life is about finding what fits you.

This Skills for Life hub is hosted by Springpod, working with the Department for Education, to help young people explore post-16 and post-18 pathways in a simple, practical way.