We want to ensure you feel confident in your child’s education journey.

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 can study a full or part-time 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: 

Careers Programme 2025/26

View our Careers Programme 2025/26

Let us know your thoughts on the programme by completing our feedback form.

Parents & Carers | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Click on the questions below to reveal answers, provided by our Careers Team:

Do 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:

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). This can be either a GCSE or Functional Skills qualification, depending on the grades they have obtained. 

 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: 

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.