New research commissioned by Kent-based housebuilders Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes has revealed that nearly seven in ten parents (68%) believe schools give more prominence to university than apprenticeships when advising young people about their future.
As Prime Minister Andy Burnham recently pledged to “value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap”, the research carried out by Censuswide among 1,000 UK parents of school-age children found that 70% say the cost of university has made them more likely to recommend an apprenticeship.
Some 78% note that they would encourage their child to consider an apprenticeship as seriously as a university degree, and more than six in ten (64%) are also worried that their child would not get a job after graduating.
The findings come as families across the UK consider their children’s next steps following GCSE Results Day and suggest that attitudes towards apprenticeships may have moved faster than careers advice in schools.
Just 39% of parents say they have received enough information from their child’s school about apprenticeships to help them make informed career decisions.
The appetite for apprenticeships is also being driven by the cost of student loans, with 71% of those surveyed believing that apprenticeships offer better value for money than university.
Perceptions appear to be changing rapidly, with almost three quarters (73%) of parents saying they have a more positive view of apprenticeships than they did five years ago.
The findings are particularly relevant for Barratt Redrow and come at a time when the construction industry is facing a well-documented shortage of skilled workers, creating significant opportunities for young people entering the sector.
A report from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) found that an additional 206,000 workers are needed by 2030 to meet demand.
As the industry looks to recruit and train the next generation, apprenticeships can provide a direct route into areas where skills are in high demand, while giving young people the chance to earn, gain recognised qualifications and build practical experience from the outset of their careers.
Barratt Redrow currently offers a range of apprenticeships, from construction, quantity surveying, technical and real estate.
Its apprenticeship and degree programmes currently have 465 participants – around 5.8% of the company’s workforce – with apprentices working alongside subcontractors to learn from experienced professionals and develop the skills needed for a career in housebuilding.
Will Walsh, Managing Director, Barratt David Wilson Kent, said: “GCSE results day is a big moment for young people and their families, and they need clear information about all the routes open to them. Parents increasingly recognise the value of apprenticeships, from earning while learning to gaining qualifications and real work experience. But, if two-thirds believe schools still give greater prominence to university, there is more to do.
“University will be the right choice for some, but apprenticeships should not be seen as a second choice. They offer a direct route into skilled, rewarding careers, particularly in sectors like construction where there is a real need for the next generation of talent. We need to make sure that every young person understands all of their options before making decisions about their future.”
Henry Hankin, Carpentry and Joinery Apprentice at David Wilson Homes Kent, said: “I went to a grammar school, where there was next to no information on apprenticeships, with the attention heavily weighted towards applying to Russell Group universities.
“I knew that wasn’t the right path for me. Despite doing quite academic A Levels, I just couldn’t see myself doing a desk job. It was time for something new.
“After spending three years as a labourer, I applied for a Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery apprenticeship with David Wilson Homes. I’ve since been working at The Poppies development in Maidstone, gaining hands-on experience that is enabling me to develop my career while I learn. It’s so important for young people to be aware of all the options open to them when choosing their next steps – seeing the current job market, I’m so glad I made the choice I did.”
Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said: “For too long, the traditional academic route has been seen as the only route to successful, highly-paid careers. This government is determined to end that mindset.
“This research shows parents are already ahead of the curve, and it’s exactly why we’re creating an education system that champions technical learning as much as academic.
“We’re introducing new technical education pathways from 14 combining core academic subjects with real-world experience and the technical knowledge they need to thrive in well-paid local jobs. Increased T Level options and new qualifications like V Levels from 2027 will give 16-year-olds a clear route into the careers of the future and the opportunity to build the lives they want.
“Combined with our £2.5 billion youth employment package, which will support almost one million young people into work and unlock up to 500,000 jobs and training opportunities, we’re making sure every young person, parent and school knows apprenticeships can be a first choice, not just a fallback.”
Andy George, Director of Industry Attraction and Skills at the Home Builders Federation, said: “As these findings reinforce, too many young people remain unclear about the range of career opportunities available to them and, importantly, the pathways into those careers. Home builders support around 9,000 apprentices, trainees and graduates every year and, as the industry scales up to meet the country’s housing ambitions, those opportunities will only increase. We must ensure a lack of information is not a barrier to talented young people accessing them.
“We are working with employers, schools and colleges to provide teachers, careers advisers and families with clear information on different routes into the industry, empowering more young people to make informed decisions about their future.”
