SCHOOLS ‘UNDER PRESSURE’ TO PUSH PUPILS TOWARDS UNIVERSITY

A study by the Sutton Trust finds that two-thirds of teachers “rarely or never” give bright teenagers the option of pursuing an apprenticeship in place of taking a university degree

In other European countries such as Germany and Switzerland, young people are far more likely to consider on-the-job training programmes, it was claimed.

The findings were made despite claims from parents that a large increase in the number of school leavers going on to university has “devalued the degree in the jobs market”.

Speaking before a major international conference on apprenticeships in London on Tuesday, Conor Ryan, director of research at the Sutton Trust, said: “There is a growing appetite for real apprenticeships among young people and the wider public.

“But there are still not nearly enough apprenticeships at A-level or degree standard available. It is vital that this gap is addressed.”

Read the full story by Graeme Paton here