First of all contact your local colleges and get some prospectus's - also find out if there are charges for courses - some are free until you turn 19! You may be able to pick up a part time evening course is beauty or animal care which will give you a basic qualification in which ever area you choose. Contact your local animal rescue centre and see if you can do some voluntary work with them, this will give you some valuable experience and an opportunity to find out 1st hand what its all about.
You may also want to consider the apprenticeship route look on www.apprenticeships.org.uk and look to see if there are any training provider locally who support you career choices. Approach local businesses to see if they are taking on people.
If you are unsure which vocational area to choose do some career research - how much would you earn, what are the progression routes, job security etc.
try -
http://www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/
http://www.careersa-z.co.uk/
http://www.hotcourses.com/pls/cgi-bin/hc_caree r_display.page_pls_compare_careers?x=16180339& y=&a=0
Also if you have one - try you local Connexions Centre - you can access support up until you turn 20, and they would be the best people to give you local information. (its what I do)
Or try you careers centre again and stress you don't want to do HE
Good Luck