undreds of Monmouthshire pupils received their GCSE results yesterday and they are facing important decisions about their futures.

Andrew Keep, Director of Education at Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) gave advice for pupils who have got their results:

"Whatever your results, it's worth talking to your form tutor or a careers advisor about options available, including the possibility of staying on to study at one of our excellent sixth forms or going to college. The choices available are wide and varying whatever your results so there is something for everyone."

"If you already have an idea of what you would like to do for a degree or career, it's important to find out what A-level qualifications you need to get there. Otherwise, think about what you enjoyed studying at GCSE and whether further study in that area appeals to you.

"For some people, vocational courses or apprenticeships are a great way of learning about a job and it is just as useful and rewarding as going the university route."

Taylor Watts from Magor, 18, works in the payments section of MCC. When he got his GCSE results from Caldicot Comprehensive two years ago, he decided that he was ready to start work:

"My GCSE results weren't great and I wasn't too sure about what I wanted to do but I knew I'd like to start work to earn some money and gain a bit of independence.

"My mum works at MCC and told me about an apprenticeship vacancy in the personnel section of the education department. As well as getting a salary, I wanted training so it was perfect for me.

"I started working towards my NVQ there and then I went to the council's access unit as a trainee to finish my apprenticeship. By this time I'd learned many skills and I was recommended for a post as admin officer in the early years section of the council.

"Then I applied for the job I do now – processing council payments. It's a really interesting role because I get to see the wide range of things that the council does and I deal with people across the authority. Now I've got by business administration NVQ I'm thinking about maybe aiming to develop my skills in accountancy and getting as much training as I can."

Peter Fox, Leader of MCC, said:

"Getting paid while you learn sound s almost too good to be true but it's an option that has helped many MCC staff members get the job they love.

"We have 73 staff members working for us at the moment who joined the council on apprenticeship schemes. That doesn't take into account the many people who have trained with us who have used their skills to find jobs in other organisations."

"If you know what you want to do as a career and want to get stuck in straight away, but you don't want to close off the possibility of higher education at some later date, an apprenticeship might be a good option. You'll earn a good wage, learn valuable skills and gain the qualifications that employers want."

Apprenticeships in MCC are advertised along with other jobs and can be found on the council website at http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/jobs">www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/jobs.