ADVICE is on hand for thousands of Hampshire youngsters who are preparing for the future after their GCSE results.

Days after 15 and 16-year-olds across the county opened their long-awaited envelopes to find their results, the county council is offering advice to them on their future.

Sixty per cent of students achieved the benchmark of five A* to C grades including English and maths, which was an improvement from last year’s figure of 59 per cent.

Seventy-two per cent of youngsters achieved a C or higher in English and 73 per cent in maths.

Following changes to the law in 2012, which came into effect a year later, youngsters have been required to stay in education or training until they are 17.

In its first year 24,000 young people in the county studied for vocational qualifications or A-levels, entered training and apprenticeships or combined work and training.

The county council is offering advice and support for youngsters through its Hampshire Futures service, while the Hampshire Award Programme offers young people opportunities to experience what a workplace is like and gain qualifications.

It also runs an apprenticeship and traineeship scheme, which currently has 100 young people enrolled and a youth investment programme is designed to provide up to 1,000 employment opportunities over the next three years.

Young people could sign up to take part in catering, highways teams, engineering and countryside services.

Councillor Peter Edgar, the council’s executive member for education, said: “There are lots of opportunities available in Hampshire.

“As well as the option to move into sixth form education at school or college to take A-levels, young people have the chance to choose from a wide range of college courses or work-related training schemes such as apprenticeships and traineeships, providing on-the-job training and qualifications.

“Our Hampshire Futures service helps young people and adults access employment, education and training and supports them to develop the skills they need to live purposeful and fulfilled lives.

“There is a wealth of information available online, including our own web pages for young people." Youth Tube This is especially helpful for those who have not yet made up their minds about what they want to do beyond secondary education.”