A new survey from a leading UK social mobility charity has suggested nearly two thirds of young people would be interested in starting an apprenticeship instead of going to university. 64% of those surveyed expressed interest in this route, an increase from 2014 when only 55% of young people said they were interested in pursuing apprenticeship over university degrees.
In addition, the survey also fund that although there is an increase in the proportion of youths they have discussed apprenticeships with their teachers, a separate polling of teachers themselves found that only 21% would advise students with good grades to opt for an apprenticeship.
This reveals the negative attitudes towards apprenticeships found among educators which will be difficult to shift despite the inherent benefits of apprenticeships towards building good career prospects, as well as the increased interest in young people themselves. Thus, there is much more to be done to make sure teachers advise their students to opt for apprenticeships including dispelling their negative views of apprenticeships and giving teachers access to any information they may need to dispense advice.
Apprenticeships can be a tough sell given the deeply entrenched notion that a university degree is the best pathway to success. Certainly, we as educators have to be mindful of our own opinions and perspectives when it comes to giving the most appropriate advice to our students. At the end of the day, we have to lead our charges to the pathway that is the best fit for them, be it the traditional university route or any other alternative routes.
If you want to read more, click the following link:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/more-teens-prefer-apprenticeships-university-sutton-trust-sir-peter-lampl-a8425221.html