For many people, university is absolutely the right choice. Having the opportunity to devote three (or more) years of your life to studying a subject for which you have a real passion, in the company of like-minded peers is one which many young people will relish. University can expand the mind and give a young person the chance to come into their own, making new friends from all walks of life, as well as learning how to budget and be responsible. And, of course, the goal is that gaining a degree will lead to the young person being able to access a more fulfilling and more highly remunerated career.

However, is university the only route to achieving these goals? In these days of spiraling living costs and high student debts, many people are considering their options carefully. And, of course, not every young person enjoys studying enough to want to continue their education past the age of 16 or 18. If such a person went to university for the sake of it, it could be the case that they graduate with a large student debt and not much else to show for their years there. It is vital that every young person has a realistic understanding of the choices available to them so that they can aspire towards a pathway which suits them as an individual, and in this blog post I am going to discuss another option - apprenticeships.

In the past, apprenticeships were exclusively for those seeking to enter a trade such as bricklaying or plumbing. However, modern apprenticeships are offered in a much broader range of careers, from project management to computing, economics to laboratory science. Different levels of apprenticeship are also available, including some options which allow the young person to study for a degree at the same time as completing their apprenticeship.

Choosing an apprenticeship means that young people can avoid student debt and, indeed, can earn while they learn, allowing them that all-important taste of independence. They will also have a head start in terms of work experience, and apprentices who impress may be offered a permanent job when their apprenticeship has finished. 

So what levels of apprenticeship are available, and what qualifications does a young person need to apply? The following information has been extracted from the UCAS website (https://www.ucas.com/apprenticeships/what-you-need-know-about-apprenticeships/)

There are four types or levels of apprenticeship available in England, for over 1,500 job roles. They are:

Intermediate apprenticeships (Level 2) are generally considered to be the same level as five GCSE passes.

For those aged 16, they offer an alternative to staying at school and learning in the traditional classroom environment.

Entry requirements for intermediate apprenticeships vary, with some employers asking for two or more GCSEs, although you may not need any formal qualifications. If you don’t have GCSEs in English and Maths, you are usually required to take qualifications in these subjects as part of the apprenticeship.

Advanced apprenticeships (Level 3) are generally considered to be the same level as two A level passes

Higher apprenticeships (Level 4 and above) provide an opportunity to gain Level 4 qualifications or above, with most apprentices gaining an NVQ Level 4, HND, or foundation degree. Some offer the opportunity to progress to Level 7 (which is postgraduate degree level). Entry requirements can include at least five GCSEs grades 9 – 4, including English and Maths, as well as A levels.

Degree apprenticeships  (Levels 6 — 7). The apprentice will be awarded an undergraduate or postgraduate degree qualification as they would with a full-time degree.

If your son or daughter would like to consider an apprenticeship, the UCAS website provides a useful search tool. As I write, there are 5443 jobs posted on the site, which can be found here. If you take a look, you will see the vast array of opportunities available in a diverse range of fields, with the very first one on my page being a Level 4 investment apprenticeship at Standard Chartered, with a salary of £28,000 - a far cry from the traditional stereotype of apprenticeships as only providing an entry into the traditional trades. Apprenticeships can sometimes be seen as an inferior option compared to university, but I would encourage young people to consider their options with an open mind, and to consider what is really best for them as an individual rather than simply following the crowd.