Two Fifths of Young People Consider Apprenticeships: New research, published by British Gas, has found that around two fifths (41%) of young people who sat exams this year have considered an apprenticeship as an alternative route to university education. The survey, which asked the views of 1000 young people waiting for GCSE and A-level results, found that the ability to ‘earn while you learn’ is a key attraction for young students, with 45% stating that that was the main reason they would pursue this route.

Two Fifths of Young People Consider Apprenticeships According To New Research

According to the findings, almost two thirds (61%) of 15-19 year olds who planned to go to university had also discussed an apprenticeship role with their teachers as an alternative option. Aside from the opportunity to earn while you learn, potential reasons for considering an apprenticeship were avoiding large student debts (11%) and increasing the chance of securing a job (18%). Around a sixth (15%) of those surveyed felt they would be more likely to get a higher paid job through an apprenticeship than through a university degree.

The research suggests that young people are increasingly aware of what employers are looking for, with two thirds (65%) saying they felt good communication is something which is prized by firms, and more than half (53%) citing team work skills. These types of skillsets are often known as soft-skills – distinct from hard academic or technical qualifications which are often measured through the examinations process.