GCSE results in Belfast can bring up a lot of feelings. For some young people, results day is exciting. For others, it can feel stressful, confusing or disappointing, especially if grades were not what they hoped for or if they are not sure what to do next. 

If you are leaving school in Belfast and wondering what comes next, you are not on your own. There are different post-GCSE options available after GCSEs, and not all of them involve going straight to college or staying in a classroom full-time. The right next step is the one that helps you build confidence, gain skills and move towards work, training or further learning at a pace that feels manageable. 

At Get Set UK, we support people to build skills, confidence and brighter futures through practical employment, training and wellbeing programmes across the UK. 

First, take a breath.

Whether your results were better than expected, lower than expected or somewhere in the middle, you do not need to have everything worked out immediately. Results are important, but they are not the whole story. Many young people need time, support and practical experience before they know what they want to do. 

For parents and carers, the most helpful thing you can do is keep the conversation calm and practical. Ask what your young person is interested in, what kind of environment they learn best in, and what support would help them feel more confident about taking the next step.

What options are available after GCSEs?

After GCSEs, young people may choose from several routes, including college, apprenticeships, traineeships, vocational training in Belfast or employment with training. Some young people know exactly what they want to do. Others need a route that helps them explore options while building practical skills and confidence. 

Skills for Life and Work in Belfast is one option for young people in Northern Ireland who have left school and want to develop the skills, qualifications and experience they need to move towards work or further training. It can be especially helpful for young people who are not yet sure what job or training route is right for them.

What is Skills for Life and Work? 

Skills for Life and Work is a free vocational training programme for school leavers. At Get Set Belfast, young people can build practical skills in a chosen course area while also developing confidence, communication, teamwork and workplace skills. 

The programme can support young people to gain recognised qualifications, strengthen everyday Maths, English and digital skills, and prepare for future routes such as employment, apprenticeships or further learning. Learners may also be able to earn a weekly training allowance, depending on attendance and eligibility. 

Who is it for? 

Skills for Life and Work may be a good fit if you are a young person who has recently left school, wants school leaver training in Belfast, or would benefit from extra support to build confidence, skills and experience before moving into work or further training. 

It may also be worth exploring if GCSE results did not go to plan, if college does not feel like the right next step, or if you are looking for alternatives to college in Belfast while you work out what kind of career you want to move towards. 

What can young people study at Get Set Belfast? 

At Get Set Belfast, young people can explore vocational areas including Administration and Management, Creative, IT and ICT, Retail and Customer Care, or a broad-based pathway that combines elements from more than one area. 

This means learners can start building useful skills while getting a better sense of what they enjoy, what they are good at and what kind of workplace might suit them in the future. 

Why this route can help.

For many young people, confidence is just as important as qualifications. A practical training environment can help learners try new things, build routines, meet supportive tutors and practise the skills employers look for, such as communication, reliability and teamwork. 

For parents and carers, it can offer reassurance that your young person is not being asked to make every career decision at once. Instead, they can take a supported step forward while keeping future options open. 

Get Set UK works with young people, families, employers and local partners to create supportive routes into training, work and further learning. 

What should you do next? 

If you are unsure what to do after GCSEs, the best next step is to talk it through. Bring your questions, even if you are not sure what you want yet. You can ask about GCSE results support, course options, eligibility, support, travel, allowances and what a typical week looks like. 

If you would like to see what the centre looks like before visiting, you can watch our short centre tour video here. It is a quick way to get a feel for the space and what to expect when you arrive. 

Get Set Belfast is based at 6 Ravenhill Business Park, Belfast, BT6 8AW. If you are a young person thinking about your next step, or a parent or carer supporting someone after GCSEs, get in touch with the team to find out whether Skills for Life and Work could be the right route. 

Ready to find out more? Visit the Get Set Belfast Skills for Life and Work page here, to explore the programme, see what support is available and contact the team about your next step.