‘Shunning uni for an apprenticeship was the best decision I’ve ever made’

More people are opting to pursue their dream job in the real world, getting paid to learn – and avoiding more than £27,000 in student debt. Mia Wallis talks to four young people who chose that path ‘It was quite a different experience and I felt kind of l

Aisha describes herself as being “academic” during school and was accepted into a top university to study law. But the 19-yearold, from north London, decided to pursue an apprenticeship instead. She now works as a design engineer for Virgin Media O2, studying project management and being paid to learn on the job. The 18-month course will provide her with an APM qualification. “It’s genuinely the best decision I’ve ever made,” she says.

Unsure whether to accept her offer to study law at university, Aisha felt project management would provide her with more transferable skills. “Law is very specialised and I wanted to go for something that could open up a lot more avenues because I wasn’t entirely sure on that path. I’m not the type of person that has a dream career and I think a lot of young people are like that,” she says.

“Having a degree is becoming something more of a standard rather than something individualistic.”

Aisha feels her decision has put her “one step ahead” of her peers, both financially and in gaining hands-on skills. “An employer might value the fact I have both a qualification and work experience compared to somebody who’s fresh out of university. That’s not to say that going to university or doing an apprenticeship is better than the other – I just think that nowadays employers are looking for people that have experience and qualifications, rather than just learning in the classroom. She also notes that if she’d chosen university, she’d have accumulated £27,000 in debt so far and is happy to be earning a salary already. “Let’s not lie, the money side is great,” she says.

However, Aisha notes the route was a lifestyle she never envisioned for herself. One of the downsides is that socialising as a young person in the workplace can be challenging, and that many apprentices find the journey lonely.

“At first I felt quite secluded,” she says. “But I did some research and found there are lots of apprenticeship communities set up by other communities – some that are social and others which offer support.”

She struggled with the application process and thinks applying for university is an easier experience. “Researching apprenticeships was so difficult,” she adds.

“Firstly, finding where to even look and then specifically, finding out that there are more than one type of apprenticeship which I didn’t even know at the time. It was quite a different experience and I felt kind of lonely.

“It was a difficult process, but 100pc worth it.”