Young people have to stay in education until their 18th birthday.
If you're thinking about getting a job, you should consider an apprenticeship, which is a job with training and better prospects.
See our brochure on 16 to 19 years education and training options to find out more about what's available to you.
Finding a job
There are plenty of ways to search for a job in Dorset, such as:
- your local newspaper
- online sites such as Universal Jobmatch and Indeed
- checking local job boards
- taking your CV to local employers, such as restaurants, cafes or local shops
Search for jobs
You can also search for jobs in Dorset councils and other information on Dorsetforyou:
Part-time jobs
You can get a part-time job from the age of 13, but there are restrictions on:
- the number of hours you can work
- the type of work you can do
If you're aged between 13 and 16 and want to find work, you can read about child employment which includes information on:
- accepted working hours
- minimum wage
- your rights
- employer work permits
Part-time jobs are useful because they:
- are a great way to earn extra money while you're studying
- will look great on your CV
- give you valuable work experience
- give you the opportunity to practise your CV writing skills and interview techniques
Full-time jobs
Young people have to stay in education until they're 18. You can start work while studying by starting an apprenticeship or a traineeship.
When you're looking for a job, ask if it has accredited training that will:
- give you qualifications to help you progress further in your career
- help you earn more money
- have better job security
Working for yourself
If you're aged between 18 and 30 and you like the idea of working for yourself, you can approach The Prince's Trust with a business idea you'd like to explore.
The Prince's Trust can offer grants and funding to help support young people in turning a viable business idea into secure self-employment.
Careers advice
When making decisions about your future, it's always a good idea to ask for advice from an accredited careers advisor, as well as your family and friends.
There are resources to help you decide and give you advice on interview techniques and preparing your CV:
Find information about events, opportunities and places that can help you on our Family Information Directory.
