Advice from a career consultant

I got pregnant at school – what can I do to further my studies?

• Do you want to continue your secondary schooling? Some secondary schools have teen parent units (TPUs). They provide a free on-site crèche, so that you can continue your schooling.
• What do you want to study? You could begin at certificate level and staircase your way to a diploma or degree level course. You could also try a foundation course.
• If you are receiving the domestic purposes benefit, you could apply for a training incentive allowance. This covers the cost of training courses and related fees.
• Check out those training providers with free fee courses. This could be a good way to gain confidence in study again. Contact Career Services on 0800 222 733 for information on free courses.
• Perhaps you prefer to wait until you are 20 years old, and apply for entry to university or polytech as an adult student. You may find there is open entry and you don’t need your school qualifications to get in.