NAA Skills Update: Raising awareness of apprenticeships
A recent Times Higher Education article revealed that more than three quarters of recent university graduates were not given advice on apprenticeships or vocational training routes before leaving secondary education
The article was based on research carried out with 1,774 people who graduated in the last two years, 76% of whom said they were not informed about the alternatives to university before leaving school. Of these, 54% said they would have chosen an apprenticeship or vocational training route instead of their degree had they received better information.
The top reasons the graduates questioned would have chosen vocational training over university were to avoid debt (77%) and to gain a better position at work (61%). And, alarmingly, 31% said they were now in an industry for which their degree was “completely irrelevant”.
Autohub recently participated in a careers fair which was attended by Year 12 and Year 13 students (or sixth formers if you are an old dinosaur like me) with a specific interest in Higher Apprenticeships. They were all keen to further their qualifications beyond their school or college education but they wanted to do so by taking a vocational route rather than an academic one. The enthusiasm was immense and it confirmed the belief that many young people want to pursue Higher Apprenticeships.
Now, I am not saying that all students should take up apprenticeships rather than progressing to university, but what I am saying is that we all have a part to play in making not only students but also their teachers and parents aware that alternatives to university are available.
As some of you will already know, the NAA will shortly be sending out a leaflet aimed at making it easier for employers and schools to interact, so please keep an eye open for the skills section of next month’s newsletter which will cover this in more detail.
As always, I would be pleased to hear from you should you have any comments or queries.
Susan Butters
Project Manager, Autohub
Tel: 07815-284360
Email: s.butters@nwautoalliance.com
