16 – 18 years
Take your careers research to the next level with the information on GMACS.
Explore the MBacc gateway resources
The Greater Manchester Baccalaureate could help you discover your pathway to a job in Greater Manchester. Explore the resources by clicking below.


Discover the top industries in Greater Manchester
Find out which sectors in GM are growing quickly, research the top employers, and see which pathways you could take to start your career. There’s also some information about the top jobs in each sector.
Find out more about education and training
If you’re thinking about staying in education or you’d like to know more about the training courses you could take, research your options on GMACS.


Use Xello to explore your options
Xello is a tool that you can use to research your career and education options and build your own career profile. It’s available for free to every state high school and college in Greater Manchester, so you’ll need to get access through your college. Once you’ve got access, you can use it to explore your career options and think about what you’d like to do.
Get started with opportunities and support
Greater Manchester has lots of opportunities for you to experience working life or volunteer with a local organisation to get valuable skills. Plus, there’s loads of support you can access – from help with interview prep to free skills boosters. See some opportunities specifically for your age group below.

Qualifications in Sports Coaching at Cheadle Town FC
Looking for a career in Sport? Combine your passion for football with first-class education at Cheadle Town FC Available qualifications: BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development Benefits of the course: • Develop English and Maths...
Tameside Exam Results Support
Find out more about what support is available if you're getting your exam results in Tameside. Drop-in support sessions Drop in support sessions are available from Monday 21st July until Friday 29th Aug. Sessions are available on Mondays, 1-4pm at Tameside One, Level...
Style your future with Kleek Apprenticeships
Want to be a hairdresser, barber or beauty therapist? Then access all the information you need from Kleek Apprenticeships digital resource. It includes an overview presentation, comprehensive Apprenticeship Guide, course information, career paths and success stories,...
Our Pass, more than just a bus pass…
If you’re aged 16-18 in GM, you could get Our Pass, a membership scheme for young people that gives you free bus travel, discounted tram travel, and exclusive discounts and offers.

Discover exciting careers events in your community
There’s lots of events on offer near you, whether you want to meet prospective employers, learn more about further education or get mentoring and other support. See events tailored for your age group here or see what’s happening in your area.
Touching Grass Climate Emergency Creative Workshop
Date: 13/09/2025
Time: 11am-5pm
Suitable for: Ages 18-25
Manchester Museum is building a programme for young people aged 18-25 who want to know more about the climate emergency, social justice and taking action.
KYP Rochdale Careers Fair
Date: 18/09/2025
Time: 10:30am - 1:30pm
Suitable for: Those interested in work in Rochdale
KYP Rochdale are hosting a Careers and Jobs Fair, aimed at connecting you with a wide range of employment opportunities.
Hear from people like you on our blog
Our blog has posts and articles from young people sharing their experiences. We also have expert advice from people already working in industry.

Results Day 2025: How to Support the Young People in Your Lives
The anticipation leading up to results day can be quite intense. It may be that the young people you care for are incredibly nervous, or it might it’s you that’s worried about what lies ahead. Results day will answer the questions you’ve had for months. But as we...
Results Day 2025: Your Next Chapter
Results day is coming up fast. Whether you’re getting your results on the 14th of August or the 21st, it can be a very emotional time. You might be nervous to find out your results or excited to see what comes next. You might be celebrating your achievements or...
Applying for Courses After GCSEs: A Guide
Deciding what to do after your GCSEs can be difficult. Your options can appear endless, leading you to feel overwhelmed. To make the process easier, it’s wise to start planning your next steps before your GCSE exams start. As you enter Year 11, there will be lots of...

Read about real people’s careers
You can learn a lot from reading about other people’s experiences in the workplace and the career options they chose to get there. Explore some examples below.