Exam results day can be a nerve-wracking experience – it can feel like a turning point, a day that could change the path of your life.

Although getting the grades you were hoping for can make life easier, it’s important to know there are many options available to you if you don’t.

Businesses, more now than ever, have realised the wealth of talent young people possess, offering a variety of apprenticeships, training courses and positions.

Here, Angus Johnson, Land Manager at Cora, shares the opportunities available to everyone – regardless of the results you receive.

Don’t panic

For my A-Levels, I didn’t quite get the results I was looking for and went through clearing to get into university. It was a difficult time and I felt like I had no options.

However, if I were to give myself some advice as a younger version of myself, I would say ‘don’t panic, take a step back and breathe’.

Rather than thinking ‘I haven’t got the grades I wanted and won’t be able to get a job’ I would say to remember you always have options.

Think about what interests you and take it from there. There will always be opportunities out there for you.

Try not to be overwhelmed by it and don’t think the world is going to end because you haven’t achieved the right certificates, this is just a hurdle.

You have options

Businesses today are seeing the real benefits of training young people though their own courses and apprenticeships schemes.

At Cora, we have a variety of opportunities – from apprenticeships to graduate schemes.

While many have taken the academic route before joining us, others came straight from school or college. But all share one thing in common – a passion for their craft.

One example would be our brilliant trainee graduate Bilal Malik, who joined us for a university placement last year.

Bilal spent six weeks with each department in Cora, picking up skills and experience in a range of areas.

He was brilliant and said he had gained invaluable experience of the industry.  He is currently finishing off his degree at university – and is looking forward to continuing his career in the sector.

Another example is site manager Aki Mitha, who joined us as a labourer in 2018 aged 19.

From there he has flourished and under his leadership, his team have recently delivered the outstanding Old Sawmill development in Great Bowden.

There really are options for everyone, no matter the grades you achieve.

Look to the future

Not getting the grades you were hoping for can be a stressful moment in your life, but it is not the be all and end all.

Whether it’s applying for a further or higher education course, or joining a company as an apprentice – there are options available to you and opportunities to show your talents.

You are more than your exam results and can achieve anything you put your mind to.

Cora’s training scheme runs for two years and is open to anyone keen to learn about the industry, regardless of background or family circumstance.

If you are interested in a career in construction and would like to learn more about Cora’s training scheme, see here.