School Leavers

Go beyond qualifications with #thecareercollege

Find a courseWork experienceProspectusT-Levels

Your options explained

If you are wondering what to do after GCSEs we can help. Our courses are developed to help you reach your full potential. To do this we combine your qualification with work experience and personal skills and development to make you stand out from the crowd. We want to make sure that you are well prepared for the workplace or higher education no matter what you decide to do with your future.

Here at The Career College we like to begin with the end in mind and train people for specific careers, with hands-on practical training you can take straight into the workplace. This starts with two options; full-time education or an apprenticeship.

Full-time education at Cornwall College begins with choosing a specialist qualification designed with your chosen career in mind. We have over 80 subjects to choose from Aircraft Engineering to Zoology and everything in-between.

If you are fortunate enough to know the career route you want to follow, why wait? With an apprenticeship you can earn a real salary and learn in the workplace while you gain experience and qualifications. Throughout your apprenticeship you will have the support of your college tutor to ensure your learning is on track and an apprenticeship advisor who will visit you at work to make sure you are happy and thriving in the workplace.

Download a prospectus More about apprenticeships

Find the perfect course

Catering

We are one of the best colleges for catering in the UK. When you study with us, you not only work with our award-winning team, but you also get real-life experience by learning in our incredible industry-standard kitchens.

Catering

Health & Social Care

Whether you are looking to train as a Care Worker, Therapist, Dental Nurse, Nurse, Midwife, or Radiographer, we will ensure you receive the theory and practical experiences to help you make an informed decision about the next steps in your career journey.

Health & Social Care

Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy

We have a brilliant hair and beauty team who are passionate in their specialisms and work hard to provide you with the best experience, preparing you for a career in the industry.

Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy

Engineering

As an engineering student here you will spend between 50-75% of your college day learning in our industry-standard workshops, gaining the practical experience you need.

Engineering

Childcare

Our Children, Schools and Families courses are designed to give you the skills you need for a successful career in this incredibly rewarding industry.

Childcare

Wildlife Conservation

Immerse yourself in the animal world with our wide range of full-time courses and apprenticeships.

Wildlife Conservation

Motor Vehicle

State-of-the-art garages, workshops, testing bays, an HGV workshop, full body works and spray booths are available for you to get a rounded experience in this exciting sector.

Motor Vehicle

Hospitality & Front of House

Our industry-standard training restaurants allow our expert tutors to give you an all-rounded view of the hospitality trade.

Hospitality & Front of House

Arts & Media

Take a step into a career in art or design or just have some fun; our incredible creative courses are made just for you.

Arts & Media

Construction

Our training in plumbing, gas and oil, furniture making, electrical, carpentry and bricklaying has regularly led to award-winning students who go on to achieve top honours at national skills competitions.

Construction

Travel and Tourism

Your career as an overseas resort representative, part of a cabin crew, working on a cruise ship, or as a travel agent is right around the corner with our specialist travel and tourism courses.

Travel and Tourism

Digital Academy

If you’re fascinated by the fast-paced world of IT and want to work with constantly changing technologies, we have a variety of courses that specialise in using IT just as it is used in industry.

Digital Academy

Animal Management

Immerse yourself in the animal world with our wide range of full-time courses and apprenticeships.

Animal Management

Business Courses

Our business school offers professional training and qualifications that have been developed with local and national employers.

Business Courses

Sports & Fitness

We can take your sporting journey to the next level with our range of qualifications, training and amazing facilities.

Sports & Fitness

Marine & Natural Environment

Whether you are looking to train as a marine scientist or zoologist you will learn from lecturers who are experts in this field as well as benefiting from the insights of industry professionals.

Marine & Natural Environment

Military & Protective Services Academy

Whether you want a career in the blue light services, armed forces or protective sector, we will give you the best start.

Military & Protective Services Academy

Horticulture, Floristry & Arboriculture

Help nurture the natural world as well as build a career path by choosing a course in horticulture, arboriculture, and floristry.

Horticulture, Floristry & Arboriculture

eSports

If you want to join the next generation of Esports players, coaches, broadcasters, shoutcasters, events managers, business managers then this is the course for you.

eSports

Marine Engineering & Boatbuilding

Falmouth Marine School gives you the very best start as #thecareercollege, with hands-on practical training you can take straight into the workplace.

Marine Engineering & Boatbuilding

Music & Performing Arts

If your passion is to have a career in one of the performing arts, then Cornwall College’s acclaimed Creative Academy has the right course for you.

Music & Performing Arts

Equine

If you’re passionate about horses and would love a career in the equine and horse care industry we have a course for you!

Equine

Plant Operations

Our Plant Operations certificate is your gateway to gaining your full professional operators

Plant Operations

Watersports

This course is perfect for anyone that has an interest in sports, especially the outdoors.

Watersports

Agriculture & Countryside Management

There has never been a better time to study agriculture and countryside management – and there is nowhere better to study it than on our campus in the countryside.

Agriculture & Countryside Management

Work experience and industry placements

If you are between 16 and 18 years old it is a requirement that you undertake a Work Experience Placement whilst you are on your course. This involves working at a local business which is in the same industry as your course, i.e. if you are taking a hair dressing qualification you may work at a local hair salon. The minimum amount of time you would spend on work experience is one week but this will change depending on your course.

If you are on a level 3 course your work experience may take the form of an Industry Placement. An Industry Placement is a minimum of 315 hours (approx. 45 days) and involves actively contributing to the workplace whilst working on targets which you have set yourself. These targets may be hard skills i.e. knowledge and skills related to the industry, as well as soft skills i.e. behaviours, values and employability.

The Industry Placement and Work Experience Placement that you undertake will depend on your course and circumstances.

Latest work experience vacancies

Farm Assistant, Trevathan Farm

Farm Assistant, Trevathan Farm

  • Trevathan Farm
  • Location -St Endellion, Port Isaac, Cornwall PL29 3TT, UK
  • Type – Work Experience (1 week)
More info
Animal Care Assistant, Tamar Valley Donkey Park

Animal Care Assistant, Tamar Valley Donkey Park

  • Tamar Valley Donkey Park
  • Location -St Ann’s Chapel, Gunnislake, Cornwall, PL18 9HW
  • Type – Work Experience (1 week)
More info

Our 2023 school leavers prospectus

Your questions answered