THE lives of hundreds of young people in Warrington are at the crossroads at the moment as they leave school, college and university and make decisions about their future.

Between July and September each year, the Connexions Centre in Sankey Street, is inundated with young people looking for help in choosing the right career path.

Helen Burnett is one of a team of personal advisors at the centre who provide information and help on a wide range of options which cover virtually every choice a young person might want to make. As well as providing a service at the centre, there is a further team providing a range of help in schools.

For young people leaving school at 16, options include

l Further study at school sixth form colleges, Priestley College, Warrington Collegiate Institute or other colleges outside of the Warrington area.

l Employment with training, which includes modern apprentices or youth training for jobs such as hairdressing, child care, care of the elderly, motor vehicle work, business adminstration, retail, warehouse work and others.

Also in this category is the Life Skills programme, offered by several agencies in the town, for young people who are not ready for the work scene. This provides preparation for work and covers basic maths and English. Sometimes young people may live on their own or may need help for a variety of reasons and Connexions provides personal advisors who help with accommodation, furniture, benefits, health issues and other matters.

l Job opportunities. Vacancies are on file at Connexions for the 16 to 18 group who don't want to go on to further training and these might include labouring or factory work but, said Helen, encouragement would be given to youngsters to build on their existing education.

For the 18 age group, who have just left school, sixth form or college, options include:

l Help in looking for university places. Connexions has access to the University Central Admissions Service which provides up to date computer information on vacancies still available.

l Taking a gap year. Connexions can provide information on the type of things that can be done, such as working abroad, travelling, adventure holidays, voluntary work, holiday camp work abroad or work in this country.

l Finding a job. Some young people with A-levels may be looking for work and Connexions has vacancies in this category. Said Helen: "These tend to be in specialist fields such as business, IT, office work, retail and junior management. With more young people going to university, there are fewer jobs in this category than there used to be."

Connexions' main work is helping young people from the age of 13 to l9 with a range of issues from motivation and attendance at school to careers guidance, but in the 21 and 22 age group, after university, there is still a lot of help available.

Connexions has information and points of contact for every career and can also refer graduates to careers services at Manchester and Liverpool universities.

There is an internet jobs site, and Connexions can also help with information on further courses and funding.

The organisation can also assist young people with work related issues including CVs, benefits, job search, interview skills, completing application forms and contact details for a wide range of organisations.

It works alongside other agencies to help young people.

Its work goes on all the year round, but is more intensified after exam results are out.

Connexions also offers a free vacancies service to empoyers who have jobs for up to the 20 year old age group, but it is not aimed at graduates. "We encourage employers to contact us," said Helen.

l Connexions work is not only related to careers but works to give young people the best start in life on many fronts. It can help with any personal issues which may stop them from getting on with life, including drugs, pregnancy, money and homelessness.

Helen and her team can be contacted on 416611.

Connexions web site is www.connexions-cw.co.uk