Last updated at 10:12, Wednesday, 15 August 2012

YOUNG people in need of advice after receiving their A-Level results can get help through a webchat.

HELP IS AT HAND: Professional adviser Sue Orrell, left, and skills and development adviser Laura Currie from Inspira, formerly known as Connexions, will be on hand to give students advice on their future during an Evening Mail webchat. They are pictured with multimedia assistant James Hemsworth from the Evening Mail LINDSEY DICKINGS REF: 50037212B000

• Click here to submit your questions via email ahead of the chat

Eighteen-year-olds across Furness, South Cumbria and Millom will be collecting their all-important grades on Thursday. Their grades will help them secure university places, apprenticeships and jobs.

The Evening Mail has teamed up with guidance service, Inspira, formerly Connexions of Cumbria, to host a post A-Level webchat on the day after results day. The session will take place between noon and 1pm on Friday at the Evening Mail’s homepage www.nwemail.co.uk.

Inspira professional adviser, Sue Orrell, will be answering questions from students and parents. The webchat will be helpful for students who did better or worse than expected, for those considering changing their plans and for those simply wanting more advice.

This September is the first year of the increased university tuition fees, so finance has, and is, going to be a major factor in students’ choices.

Inspira said students have been looking at alternatives to higher education, such as apprenticeships. They are also interested in voluntary work during a gap year.

Mike Ridyard, an Inspria professional adviser, said: “There has been a big interest in apprenticeships and choosing to study locally, there has been an increased interest in foundation degrees, and some people are choosing to travel daily (for study).”

Questions can also be submitted ahead of the webchat through the webchat link on the Evening Mail website.

• The Evening Mail A-Level results day special, including photographs, stories and results, will be published on Friday.

First published at 11:29, Monday, 13 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk