Friday 14:24
Just got your GCSE results? Are you thinking about leaving full-time education and not sure what to do next?
Help is at hand from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), which gives students aged 16-19 an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) of up to £30 a week to take part in a learning programme or course.
If you're about to leave compulsory education, EMA could be for you. It can help with the costs of books, travel, equipment or anything else you need to continue learning, and it's paid straight into your bank account, not to your parents or your college. The hardest-working students can also be in line for further cash bonuses at Christmas and certain other times of the year.
17-year-old student Marcus from March in Cambridgeshire is on course to work in his dream job in radio after tuning into the cash boost available through EMA.
Marcus decided to take the BTEC first diploma of Media at Peterborough College because he has always been interested in radio and music production. The creative student learnt a lot during his first year recording interviews with students and local bands for his student radio station at Peterborough College, Hightrees FM.
He said:
"After my GCSEs I realised I wanted to focus on something less academic that interested me. I've always been interested in music and radio so this course seemed like a step in the right direction.
"The course is really practical and I've leant a lot about radio production through recording interviews of students and band performances for Hightrees FM. I know that this is what I want to do and that I'm moving in the right direction to work in a career that I'm good at and that I enjoy.
"It's been really helpful having the EMA to help with travel costs and books for my course. I even used it last Christmas to get presents for my family! If I didn't have the extra help I'm not sure how easy it would've been to do this course. It's strange to think how different things would be without it!"
Dr Jon Nay, Area Director for the LSC in Cambridgeshire said:
"By 2010 very few jobs will be open to those without the minimum set of qualifications. Those with five good GCSE's (A* to C) or an equivalent Level 2 qualification earn on average 9% more than those without and employers are more likely to invest in young people's future development and career.
"There is growing evidence to show that EMA is making a real difference to the prospects of young people who might otherwise have dropped out of full-time education. The regular income that EMA offers gives them independence to make real choices about their future education, training and career prospects.
"Marcus is a great example to show that staying in learning, gaining higher level skills and qualifications, provides a foundation for a more successful and fulfilling future."
To find out if you're eligible for an Education Maintenance Allowance contact your local college, Connexions or call 0800 121 8989 or visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/ema
EMA
What are the key features of EMA?
* Weekly payment bands of £30, £20 and £10 per week, depending on household income.
* Intermittent bonus payments depending on the programme of learning.
* Available for both academic and vocational study, up to level 3, which can include courses such as basic skills GCSE retakes, GNVQs, NVQs, as well as AS and A2s.
* No other household benefits are affected.
* Young people can still have a part-time job.
Who is eligible?
* Young people are eligible to receive or to continue receiving EMA in the EMA year 2008/09 providing: - They will already be 16, 17, 18 or 19 on the 1st September 2008; - From households where the combined family income is less than 30,810 - They are participating in full-time further education (as defined in EMA guidance) up to and including Level 3, or LSC funded e2e or a Programme led Apprenticeship
For further details, please contact 0800 121 8989 (some mobile operators may charge for calls made to this number) or visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/ema. Last year, EMA helped more than 500,000 young people continue in education and training.
LSC The LSC exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. We are responsible for planning and funding high-quality vocational education and training for everyone. We have a single goal: to improve the skills of England's young people and adults to world-class standards. Our vision is that by 2010, young people and adults in England have the knowledge and skills matching the best in the world and are part of a truly competitive workforce. Established in 2001, we work nationally, regionally and locally from a network of offices across the country.
Issued on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council by COI News & PR.
Regional press releases issued by COI may be viewed at http://nds.coi.gov.uk/ Learning and Skills Council Cheylesmore House Quinton Road Coventry CV1 2WT http://www.lsc.gov.uk
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