Rise of the degree apprenticeships
Once thought of as the poor relation to a degree, the apprenticeship is undergoing a 21stcentury makeover.
in the past, apprenticeships were mostly targeted at college students learning a trade, but now they are seen as a way of training people of all ages across many professions.
education Secretary Damian Hinds is currently on a mission to further break down the barriers between academic and vocational qualifications.
He is appealing to top schools — private, grammar and other state secondaries — to promote apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships as an option for all pupils.
Mr Hinds has pointed to the rise of degree apprenticeships, which combine paid on-the-job training with university study.
He says: ‘More and more people are switching on to the fact that there are different routes, they’re different but equally valid.
‘in schools, i’m hearing more that children are asking about apprenticeships. Schools are talking to them about apprenticeship options and how that can be a viable route and an ongoing feature where you can move up the levels, and eventually do a degree-level apprenticeship.’
Mr Hinds says the ‘outdated attitudes’ are partly because people are not aware of how some industries, technical training and education have ‘evolved’.
However, careers guidance in schools should make young people aware of the range of apprenticeships and options available.
Mr Hinds says schools, colleges and industry are doing a great job to show the range of opportunities out there, but we need to go further and make sure that every child in every circumstance is aware of the possibilities.
Private schools are already encouraging pupils to learn a trade instead of pushing them towards university.
the number of private schools offering Btecs — specialist workrelated qualifications — has almost doubled in three years, from 53 in 2015 to 93, says the independent Schools council.
there was a corresponding increase in the number of pupils taking Btecs — up from 792 in 2016 to 1,112, a rise of 40 per cent.
iSc chairman Barnaby Lenon says: ‘Schools should enable teenagers to access the pathways through which they can fulfil their potential and maximise employability — whether it’s the university route, vocational education including apprenticeships, or even straight to work.’