Are universities always better than apprenticeships?

MY SON Alex left school in 2017 with good GCSEs and a place at the local college to study A-levels. On the Apprenticeship website we spotted one for a ‘planning technician’ at Sedgemoor district council. He got a two-year apprenticeship, studying a BTEC level 3 in town planning on day release once a fortnight. A year on, he got a permanent post in his office. He also hopes his employer will fund his degree, starting in September. I recently asked if he regretted his chosen career path. He said: ‘Not a chance.’ He’s been given a great opportunity and is grabbing it with both hands. sallY sMiTh, somerset. The article (Mail) says just about everything wrong with university education policy. With the best of intentions, governments bend over sideways to coax more young people from underprivileged backgrounds into further education, but to what purpose? It shows a radical re-think of education policy is needed. J. M. hURRell, address supplied. ELEANOR HARDING (Mail) refers to Skills Minister Anne Milton as an advocate of apprenticeships and against Mickey Mouse degrees. The argument is valid and, sadly, is a consequence of the manipulations of Shirley Williams and Tony Blair leading to the demise of grammar schools and technical colleges. However, theory and practice are rarely the same. My grandson has applied to three big engineering companies. He received no reply from one and for the others passed some tests but not enough. These are difficult times for young people to get worthwhile employment. Michael MooRhead, cobham surrey