Support for 14 to 16 year olds

You will need proof of ID to enrol at college, start an apprenticeship or begin a part-time job. A birth certificate or a valid passport are the main types of ID. 

• Birth certificate - if you were born in Salford and need a replacement birth certificate, you can order a new copy here. There is a cost to ordering a replacement certificate. 
• Passport – You will need to collect an application form from the Post Office or complete the passport application online. You will need a birth certificate before applying for this.
• A supporting school letter for ID - If you don’t have any ID and are struggling to get a birth certificate or passport, then you can request a supporting letter from the last school you attended. This can often help when trying to open a bank account, however cannot be used for passport applications. A passport needs to be in date and can take a few weeks to be posted to you once an application is submitted for a new one.

Most banks will offer a basic current account for 16 year-olds and above. It is often easier for them to open an account at the bank where their parent or carer already has one. However, with the right ID, any bank should be able to help.

The account needs to be open before a young person starts college, an apprenticeship or employment.

This is usually sent to you just before your sixteenth birthday. It will be a letter containing the full NI number. If you have lost the number/letter or did not receive one, you can request a National Insurance number here.

Some employers will ask you for an up-to-date CV. This needs to include your educational history as well as any work-related experiences. This does not have to be formal work experience, it could also include projects they have completed in school and any work shadowing, trips to businesses. Why not try a CV using slides on PowerPoint? You can cover each section that a traditional CV has such as profile, education, work history, hobbies, but also include images.

You will need a professional email address which can be created using one of the main accounts such as Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook and so on. Please ensure it is one that is suitable for employers to have and keep a note of the login details.

Some employers can and will check social media accounts either before, during or after a person has started working for them. Ensure your privacy settings are appropriately set and always avoid putting any negative/offensive posts or comments.

You should dress appropriately for any college, apprenticeship or job interview. For most cases it should be formal dress, however there are some cases where a more casual dress is acceptable. It is always best to check with the organisation beforehand.

• If you do not have any formal clothing that is suitable, you could attend in your school shirt and trousers or skirt. This should be clean and smart.
• If you need funds to buy interview clothes, please speak to your school or careers advisor who maybe be able to direct you to someone who can help. Alternatively, contact employability@catch-22.org.uk 

This is a free bus pass for all 16 and 17 year-olds that can be used from September after you have left school. Apply for Our Pass online, or by going to your nearest bus station. ID will be required and a £10 admin fee for the year.