University or Apprenticeships, what do my parents want me to choose? This conversation has been talked about for many years, and there are reasons to go for both, but which one is right for you and do your parents agree?
In the past, apprenticeships haven't been the first choice for most families, as university was seen as the best path for your career. Over recent years, opinions and thoughts are changing on the matter because people have realized the benefits of doing an apprenticeship!
Parents are a huge part of your decisions for your future, so it's important they understand what is out there as an alternative route to university.
Parents' views on apprenticeships are improving, which is great news! But there are still some who believe it is not the right move. Here are some reasons you could discuss with your parents why doing an apprenticeship may be the best route for you.
In the past, the most common apprenticeships were Intermediate (level 2) and Advanced (level 3). Even though these are good qualifications, most students would have achieved the equivalent from doing their GCSEs and A-Levels.
Now, there are different options available, going all the way up to Degree Level (level 7). Degree Apprenticeships have become very popular because you can still attain a degree qualification without going to university and building up debt.
In some companies, there is an option to start at a certain level and then move on to the next one after the first completion (going from advanced to higher).
If this is something you want to pursue, make sure you look into the levels of apprenticeships with your parents/guardians before applying, as they all have different requirements and qualifications at the end.
With the apprenticeship levy coming into effect, companies are being encouraged to hire more apprentices to join their businesses. This has led to more sectors offering this route, and it is still expanding, which is great to see!
Certain jobs require a degree, which is completely understandable, but there are some professions that can be achieved through an apprenticeship. For example, you can become a solicitor, nurse or aerospace engineer! Check out the list of sectors that are currently available here.
You'd be in a working environment and earning money like everyone else with a job. Therefore you would gain hands-on experience and some life tips along the way.
During the apprenticeship, there will be opportunities to learn from other employers, learn new skills and receive a high level of support. After completion, you'll be ready for the world of work and adulthood! These are just a few reasons why apprenticeships are a good career path, but there are so many more.
If you are considering doing an apprenticeship, make sure you have a conversation with your parents/guardians to discuss this. It is a big decision, so you all need to agree and find out what is best for you.
Here are some of our brand ambassadors at NGTU sharing their experiences about their parents' thoughts on apprenticeships:
Before I came to my family with what an apprenticeship was, I made sure I had all the details in my mind, how it fitted into my career path and had a clear explanation of what I would qualify as.
I made certain to be clear about what all the benefits were and mentioned the difference between the typical route and an apprenticeship.
This was more so important for my first apprenticeship because I wasn't qualifying as a lawyer, nor was the apprenticeship a paralegal apprenticeship. Once I made that clear, they were very supportive, especially when keeping them updated on the academic side! - Alika Lee, Solicitor Apprentice at Leigh Day
"My parents, at first we were very unsure of the fact I wasn't going to continue with college and go straight into work, but after a year and a half of being an apprentice, they can really see how much it enables me to achieve and that I am able to achieve similar qualifications and job roles as my sister that studied a business degree!" - Lily Jones, Level 3 Business Admin Apprentice in the NHS
"My parents were very unsure about me going into the construction industry, especially with someone who had no experience and had decided not to go to university- 5 years later, I've qualified and been promoted, and my parents are so proud that I stuck to what I wanted to do and didn't go to university!" - Victoria Coldicott, Intermediate Engineer at Hotchkiss
"My mum was hesitant about me doing an apprenticeship as she thought I could achieve more going to uni. I stuck it out and told her that this was something I really wanted to do, and now she couldn't be prouder of how quickly I'd progressed.
I explained that you could get a whole degree whilst getting paid, and now there are so many success stories that I could show her to explain that." - Tia-Lily Girdlestone, Marketing Manager at Amber Mountain Marketing.
Apprenticeships can be an exciting way to gain experience and job skills, but not everyone is aware of their potential effects on parents' benefits. Depending on the type of apprenticeship, there may be a decrease in parental benefits received. For instance, if the apprenticeship provides a full salary for training, this income would likely count as part of means tests for determining eligibility for certain types of welfare.
To show parents that such programs are beneficial, it's important to highlight the considerable advantages and explain the process of how an individual can become accepted into an apprenticeship program. By emphasizing the key points explained by you, parents may come to understand the various benefits that an apprenticeship has to offer their child.
When it comes to sacking an apprentice, employers need to be aware that there are additional rules and regulations to adhere to. Whilst apprentices are employed on the same terms as all other staff, they are entitled to certain protections under current legislation.
Dismissing an apprentice will usually take longer than dismissing an employee without any special protection in place, as the employer must state the grounds for dismissal and provide evidence of this when terminating their contract.
This extra procedure can be time-consuming but is necessary if the employer wishes to avoid potential legal action from disgruntled ex-employees.
