16 to 18 years

Your child is slowly growing up. Peer friends, the clique and like-minded people become more important and push parents out of their place. Cause for concern? No! Even if you have the feeling that your influence is waning: Parents remain important relationship figures. As a mother and father, you give your children secure support within the family during this important phase of finding their identity.

Now is the time to take a close look at educational and career choices for the future. After all, important decisions will soon have to be made as school graduation approaches. After graduating from secondary school, secondary modern school or technical college, is dual vocational training an option or should I continue with school-based training? Are there good career prospects even without a school-leaving certificate?

The following questions also need to be answered: What qualifications are required for the dream job? Which subject is best suited to personal strengths and talents? What does a promising application look like? It is not always easy to find your way through the jungle of career choices. School leavers in NRW can take advantage of many guidance services. Here on the Familienportal.NRW you will find helpful information and links for online research on paths and opportunities for the time after school.

The older the children get, the better the conditions for returning to work after a long family phase. Do you have any questions? There are numerous advisory services for you. Take advantage of the support services for a successful return to work. Find out more in the Work & Family section.