Too clever for an apprenticeship?

A new research report has revealed that many young people are being discouraged from choosing a vocational route into work, and are being advised that they are “too clever for an apprenticeship”. The report, published by the Edge Foundation, maintains that many schools and families incorrectly assume that academic studies always lead to more success than vocational training.

Of those young people who had chosen a vocational route, almost a third said that their school didn’t know much about Apprenticeships, and over 27% said that their parents didn’t think it was a worthwhile option.

Whilst two thirds (65%) of those who chose an academic option said they felt their school supported their choice, only a third (35%) of the vocational group could say the same.

Crucially the study reveals that those who pursued vocational paths are as satisfied with their jobs as their peers who pursued academic routes. All those surveyed were asked to rate their current career in relation to factors such as career choice, salary, success, fulfillment and overall job satisfaction. The answers reveal remarkably little difference in satisfaction between people who chose academic and vocational pathways.

Fiona Mellett, Managing Director of Greater Manchester’s largest apprenticeship training provider Skills Solutions said: “This report shows that too many schools and parents have a totally outdated view of the apprenticeships that exist today. Many talented and ambitious young people are making a positive choice to pursue a vocational route in a huge variety of occupational sectors.”