Class of 2009 absorb exam results

The class of 2009 will be the first students in a generation to finish their studies in a recession.

With youth unemployment now at 19% and a government cap on the number of university places available this year, what will their future be?

BBC News is following a group of school leavers from Stoke-on-Trent as they enter the world of work, training and more education.

Last month they talked about their plans, hopes and fears. Now some have just got exam results and are making their next move.

There could also be a chance for you to get involved in the project if you are leaving school, college or university this year.

All you have to do is fill in the form at the bottom of the page and tell us your story.

Let us introduce you, once again, to the Class of 2009.

Age: 18
Studied: BTEC National Diploma travel and tourism, Stoke on Trent College
Dream job: Travel consultant
Interesting fact: She enjoys travelling and meeting new people
Would like to meet: Beyonce (pop singer)
Next step: Looking for work in the travel industry - and has been advised to find work experience to boost her chances.

"It's going to be hard work around a part-time job. My hours are everywhere and I'm not sure which days I'm going to have off.

"The qualifications I've got now don't seem to be good enough. I'm not sure whether university is going to give me more of a chance to work in the travel industry.

"It's a big worry for me. Perhaps university is the best option but I'm not sure I can afford it. I'm going to have to get some financial advice.

"I think there's more pressure now than when I was at college. It's ever so difficult getting a job. I'm not sure what to do."

Age: 18
Studied: BTEC National Diploma public services, Stoke on Trent College
Dream job: District nurse
Interesting fact: Loves rock climbing, skiing, canoeing and kayaking
Would like to meet: Sigmund Freud (psychologist)
Next step: Going to university next year to study nursing. Has given up looking for a full-time health related job for his gap year.

"I'm definitely feeling optimistic and I know that I'm lucky I can do what I want for my gap year and get a lot out of it. "

"The plan before was to get a job during my gap year that would give me more experience, but the reality is that the competition is too tough. There are some jobs coming up in the NHS for health care workers at the level that would suit me for the qualifications that I've got.

"But all those jobs are being snapped up with people who have got more experience.

"I think I'm going to have a good year back at college. It's what you make of it. I'm taking a long term view, with things as they are. I know what I want eventually and that's to be a district nurse."

Age: 19
Studied: A-levels in media, film and critical thinking, City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College
Dream job: Film director
Interesting fact: He loves martial arts
Would like to meet: George A Romero (film director)
A Level results: Media (B), Film (B) Critical thinking (E).

Next step: Delay plans for university and retake subjects

"I feel pretty good actually. I've just got my results and I'm feeling quite happy with myself. I expected to get lower than what I got.

"My plans are now to stay on at college, to retake a few more modules to pick up the grades a little bit more and then hopefully apply to university.

"My greatest worry is not finding a job long term in the area that I've studied in."

Age: 18
Studied: GCSE maths, A-level sociology, BTEC National Certificate in ICT at City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College
Dream job: Computer programmer
Interesting fact: He's very energetic and enthusiastic about life
Would like to meet: Andy Murray (tennis player)
Exam results: Sociology A-level (Grade E) and passed BTEC National Certificate in ICT. Waiting to hear GCSE Maths result. Next step: Started work this week as a Quality Assurance Clerk at an engineering plant in Stoke-on-Trent. Contract expires in December.

"I was getting more nervous each day about whether I was going to get a job or not. But when I got that call it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. It was my birthday too - so it was like getting good news, twice.

"I'm not sure how much I'm going to get paid. I wouldn't do it for nothing, but whatever I get I'm going to be happy with as it's money that I didn't have before.

"I do feel quite lucky. It's a job that I wanted in an environment that I also wanted, rather than stacking supermarket shelves.

"Where do I see myself in five years time? Hopefully in a full-time job. But I don't want to be too ambitious as it might not happen. I'm just concentrating on the now."

Age: 17
Studied: NVQ Level 2 hairdressing, Stoke on Trent College
Dream job: Working on a cruise liner as a hairdresser
Interesting fact: Enjoys socialising with friends
Would like to meet: Beyonce (pop singer)
Next step: After passing her NVQ, has decided to go back to the sixth form college for another hairdressing course.

"I would've loved to have set up my own business but it's just too expensive and risky at the moment.

"I'm a bit nervous setting up a business and going into something on my own. I might get busy, I might not get busy. If I don't get busy I'm going to have to find myself another job. It really does worry me.

"I work part-time in a salon but even those hours are being cut. They're taking on placements because they're working for free. That's not fair. You need to be able to earn yourself some money."

Age: 19
Studied: A-levels in history, archaeology and classical civilisation at City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College
Dream job: Historian or history teacher
Interesting fact: He's a Pagan
Would like to meet: Marco Hietala (from metal band Nightwish)
Results: History (E), Archeology (E), Classical civilisation (D).

Next step: Going to study history at North Staffordshire University.

Alex wasn't available for a comment this month.

BBC News will be following these school leavers over the next few months as they enter the world of work, training and more education.

There could also be a chance for you to get involved in the project if you are leaving school, college or university this year.

All you have to do is fill in the form below and tell us your story.

The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide.

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