Getting your first job
How old you need to be, your rights, and where to get careers advice
If you’re starting to think about getting your first job, there are some things you might need to know.
For example, you might be wondering:
- how old do I have to be?
- what rights will I have at work?
- how much will they have to pay me?
- where can I get careers advice?
Read on to find answers!
How old do I need to be?
There are different rules around what kind of work you can do, and how many hours you can work, depending on your age.
How old are you?
Under 13
You cannot get a job if you are under 13 years old, except in special circumstances like acting and modelling.
13, 14 or 15
From the age of 13, you can work part-time on top of your full-time education, but there are very strict rules about:
- what kind of work you can do
- how many hours you can work
- when you can work
Learn more about working when you’re under 16.
16 or 17
If you’re aged 16 or 17, the law says you must either:
- stay in full-time education, for example at a college
- start an apprenticeship or a T level
- work or volunteer at least 20 hours a week, while still in part-time education or training
Learn more about your post-16 options and working when you’re under 18.
18+
Once you’re 18, you can work full-time and you don’t have to do education or training anymore unless you want to.
The extra rights at work that under-18s have no longer apply to you – you have the same legal rights as any other adult.
Legal rights at work
Everyone has legal rights that say how their employer is allowed to treat them.
These include things like:
- how often you must get rest breaks
- how much paid holiday and sick leave you must get
- what your employer must do if they want to end your employment
ACAS provides lots of information about your rights at work.
You also have legal rights that say what support you can get with your disabilities at work.
Got questions about your rights at work? Call the ACAS helpline on 0300 123 1100.
How much do they have to pay me?
The minimum wage your employer has to pay you depends on your age. You can look up the minimum wage for your age here: National minimum wage
If you’re under 16, there is no minimum wage.
Where can I get careers advice?
Here are some options:
Amazing Futures careers
If you are:
- 16 to 25 years old with any kind of disability or additional needs in Brighton & Hove, and
- you don’t go to school or college
then our Amazing Futures Careers service might be able to help. We mostly work with young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
your school or college
If you are still at school or college, you can ask your school or college to give you careers advice. This includes planning your next steps after leaving school and thinking about career options. The law says schools must provide this kind of guidance.
National Careers Service
The National Careers Service can provide information and advice to anyone aged 13 or above. There’s loads of information on their website about different careers, how you can access them and how they might progress.
You could also take one of their many ‘skills assessment’ quizzes, which aim to help you understand your strongest skills and what jobs they may be well-suited to.
Youth Employability Service
The council’s Youth Employability Service can help if you are:
- aged 16 to 18 and are not in education, employment or training (NEET)
- aged 16 to 18 and at risk of becoming NEET – for example if things aren’t going well at college and you’re planning to leave
Most Youth Employment services will also work with NEET people up to aged 25 if you have additional needs and an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP).
Youth Employment Hub (Brighton)
The Youth Employment Hub in Brighton is for young people aged 16 to 25. You can get help from different services around finding work, or try a course or a creative activity.
The Hub is also a drop in space that’s open for you to attend Monday to Friday if you need support or a focused environment.
