The employment market of today is different from what your parents taught you – no matter whether they were Baby Boomers, Gen X, or even Millennials. For the longest time having a university degree of at least Bachelor’s level was a requirement for landing a decently paid white-collar job. We can agree that this is not a must anymore, with a few understandable exceptions. Many employers value skills over qualifications, and an apprenticeship is just as good as a degree to kick-start your career.
Young people get to choose from variety of options nowadays. But what about those of us already in workforce?
Perhaps you have a bachelor’s degree and would like to obtain a master’s in the subject. You may even want to make a 180 turn into a totally different field. Or just simply want to pursue new qualifications. The thought of stepping out of your established work position makes you nervous. Not to mention the student’s struggle to make ends meet, especially in London. Part-time studies could perhaps be the answer, except for the fact that you already have a hard time balancing life and work… The “getting older” factor and peer pressure of having certain accomplishments under your belt after turning 25 doesn’t help. Also, did someone say more debt? Doing it all over again like you just stepped out of school sounds exhausting.
So, unless you’re willing to move back to your parents’ house and give up several years of industrial exposure, further education seems like a very far-fetched fantasy.
What if there’s an option that gives you the best of both worlds?
An apprenticeship might be just what you’re looking for. Whether it’s higher level, degree, or advanced, there’s plenty to choose from – just look at the stats.
The above graphs show apprenticeship trends over the years, where the highest percentage of new apprentices were people of age group 25+. The majority studied towards Advanced-level up. In year 20/21 almost half the apprentices starting their programmes were over 25. In the same year, nearly 75% of apprenticeships were of Advanced or Higher levels.
Have you never thought an apprenticeship could be the right choice for you? It might be due to a seemingly recent change in attitude towards it amongst the government and the wider public. The Institute for Apprenticeships ensuring high-quality apprenticeship standards didn’t exist until 2017. It was also the year Apprenticeship Levy (government funding for employers) came into place. You could take up a higher-level apprenticeship since 2006… But degree apprenticeships weren’t a thing until 2015.
It’s clear that an apprenticeship is a great alternative to university. Now that you’re aware of your options, you can start acting. Contact our advisors to find out how to fulfill your career aspirations without compromising on budget or time. We’re here to support your journey. Register here today!
