Support
Parents and Carers
We want to ensure you feel confident in your child or young person's education journey, so here you'll find some useful information, resources and frequently asked questions to help you both make an informed decision about their next steps.
As the borough’s main provider of post-16 education and training, we can open the door to a wide range of opportunities for Oldham’s young people.
Our programmes are tailored to serve all abilities, backgrounds and age levels, and we work with more than 700 local, regional and national employers to ensure students leave with skills that match the needs of the economy.
School leavers aged 16-18 can study a vocational course, an apprenticeship or a T Level.
This page contains everything you need to know as a parent or carer of an Oldham College learner.
Got a different careers question? Get in touch with the Careers Team:
- 0161 785 4054
- Careers.Team@oldham.ac.uk
Does your child need extra support?
Young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) can access support across our mainstream vocational programmes, helping them to thrive alongside their peers. This could include gaining access to Assistive Technology, study skills support, exam access arrangements and receiving mobility support amongst other things.
We also offer specialist programmes for learners aged 16–25, including Supported Internships and Skills for Life (SEND Me) in our Development Skills department, providing personalised pathways to gain greater independence and employment.
While our Rise department is a dedicated and supportive faculty designed to help learners build the confidence, skills, and experience they need to succeed in further education and beyond. Our ‘Step into Education’ one-year transition programme provides a strong foundation for future progression, combining essential qualifications with meaningful, hands-on experiences.
Oldham College has a highly-trained and award-winning Additional Learning Support (ALS) team, who are experienced in supporting people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, as well as working with other professionals to provide the most effective support.
Parents and Carers
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether your young person has already applied or is thinking of joining us, our FAQs provide answers to some of the most common questions from parents.
Got a question? Contact usDo young people have to stay in education until they are 18 years old?
Yes. This requirement is stated in the Education and Skills Act 2008, which mandates that young people remain in education or training until they turn 18.
However, this does not mean they have to attend school. They can enrol in a full-time college course, participate in an apprenticeship, or pursue part-time education alongside work or volunteering for a minimum of 20 hours per week.
Do you offer support for young people who are undecided about what to study at college?
We understand that choosing a course can feel overwhelming. Your child can book a meeting with one of our impartial, qualified career advisors and you are welcome to attend this with them.
Our advisors will help young people to explore:
- Their interests, skills and experience
- Insights into job roles and future careers
- Potential pathways for entry, including courses, apprenticeships and T Levels, and determine which option best suits their needs.
Contact the Careers Team to book an appointment:
- Email: careers.team@oldham.ac.uk
- Tel: 0161 785 4054
Some useful websites to use to explore job ideas are:
Do young people have to take GCSE English and Maths as part of their study programme?
All 16 to 19-year-olds are required to study English and Maths at college if they have not yet achieved a GCSE grade 4 (pass).
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job that helps the apprentice ‘earn while they learn’, gaining valuable knowledge and experiences and developing work-ready skills.
Alongside work, apprentices spend at least 20% of their time ‘off-the-job’ in the classroom. Visit our Apprenticeships page for more information.
Other useful apprenticeships resources include:
As a parent or guardian, can I speak to a careers advisor?
Yes! We recognise that it can be challenging for parents to stay informed about qualifications and job market trends. Therefore, we encourage you to contact us to support your child in achieving their goals. Get in touch with the team:
- Email: careers.team@oldham.ac.uk
- Tel: 0161 785 4054
What is the Careers Programme and how does it help young people?
The Careers Programme is a structured series of activities designed to help students understand, explore, and plan for their future careers. It is implemented in schools, colleges, and other educational institutions to guide young people in making informed decisions about their career paths, whether that involves entering the workforce, pursuing an apprenticeship or further training.
Here’s an overview of the Gatsby Benchmarks, which form the basis of the UK Careers Programme:
The Gatsby Benchmarks are eight indicators that assess a school or college’s efficacy in preparing students for the workforce. The government has set expectations for career guidance within schools and colleges, utilizing the Gatsby Benchmarks as a framework to ensure that all students receive high-quality career advice and support.
What other resources might help me as a parent?
- National Careers Service – National Careers Service website provides careers advice and information on a wide range of jobs, training, apprenticeships, course resources and funding.
- WorldSkills UK | Careers Advice – Discover 40 different career routes across multiple sectors and hear from our inspiring role models with industry insights.
- Talking Futures – Support for parents when talking about careers, courses including technical qualifications, apprenticeships and going on to university. There are lots of useful resources too including video, conversation cards, activities and videos.
Additional information
How to Apply
Found the course or apprenticeship your child or young person would like to study? Find out more about how they can apply.
Support for School Leavers
Discover our wide range of dedicated support services for school leavers, from financial support for meals and travel, to careers advice and guidance.
Student Life
Help them the most of their time with us, explore the clubs, societies and enrichment opportunities available.
Contact Us
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