School leaver schemes

Some companies offer school leaver schemes to young people who have completed A levels. The schemes allow you to learn and train with a large company while earning a wage.

get the jump

School leaver schemes are usually similar to graduate schemes, except they’re aimed at school leavers.

Starting a school leavers scheme

To start a school leaver scheme, you’ll need to:

  • be 18 or over
  • not be in full-time education

Usually, the schemes require high A level grades or equivalent qualifications.

You can apply for a school leavers scheme while you’re still at school.

What you'll do on the school leavers scheme

Employers create their own schemes, so each one will be slightly different.

You may:

  • follow a training programme
  • earn a qualification, but not always
  • rotate between different locations with the same company
  • complete training online, in college or at a university

Sectors you could work in

School leaver schemes are offered by employers in sectors such as:

  • accounting and finance
  • engineering
  • law
  • leisure
  • retail

After your school leaver scheme

Once you’ve finished a school leaver scheme, you could:

  • get a job with your current employer, they might like to hire you because they’ve trained you and know you can do the job the way they’d like
  • find a new job with a different employer
  • get more qualifications with an apprenticeship or higher education
  • volunteer for more experience to help you get a permanent job

Applying for a school leavers scheme

You’ll need to check each company’s website to see if they offer a school leaver scheme and how to apply.

You can get careers advice from us on topics such as:




Explore your choices

Combine work and study

Apprenticeships
T Levels

Study

A levels
Higher education
Higher technical qualifications (HTQs)
Vocational technical qualifications (VTQs)

Work

Supported internships
School leaver schemes

Special educational needs (SEND) advice

You can get education advice if you're disabled or have special educational needs. 

It may help you choose what you'd like to do next.



Information for other countries: