A new report, "Technical Matters - Building a high quality technical and vocational route through the education system", suggests that apprenticeship programmes should be as demanding as A-levels and last three years.
The Policy Exchange think tank’s report also calls for shorter training programmes - or those at a lower level - to be called something other than "apprenticeships".
The government's growing focus on academic skills is welcome, it says, but it "may not work to the advantage of all students in the education system".
"There are some for whom an alternative route with a greater emphasis on practical and applied learning may better meet their needs."
Too many students, the report continues, are being encouraged to sit A-levels, even though recent figures show that almost one third of sixth-formers drop out. And these students would be better suited to vocational or technical training.
In light of this, Policy Exchange authors argue that pupils as young as 14 could benefit from high quality technical or vocational education, and they state that high quality apprenticeships should be made available to people of that age, who will, though, have to have better and more independent educational and careers advice.
New funding arrangements should be made that dissuade sixth forms from retaining such students, and that an alternative to the upcoming EBacc should be created for them.
The report urges the government "to send clear signals to employers and potential trainees about the value and nature of apprenticeship".
Dr Owen Corrigan, principal author of the report, says: "An alternative technical route through the education system could benefit the many students whose needs are not currently being met, as well as employers who complain about skills shortages, especially in science and technology areas."
Skills Minister Matthew Hancock says the government is "reforming apprenticeships, introducing traineeships and overhauling the system to recognise only high quality vocational courses that lead directly to a skilled trade or profession".
"We're also introducing a technical baccalaureate that will recognise the best vocational qualifications and we're allowing the best colleges to take on 14-16-year-olds to study courses taught by industry specialists."
