Perceptions of apprenticeships improving

Survey shows half of all parents would recommend an apprenticeship to their sons or daughters

The image of apprenticeships has improved, although one in seven parents believe they are only a second best route to a career after a degree, according to a new study.

A survey of 2,000 parents of children aged 11 to 18 showed that almost half would encourage their sons or daughters to take up a training place.

Two thirds of those polled by BAE Systems and the Royal Academy of Engineering said they were pleased apprentices were now offered as an attractive option to youngsters.

43% agreed that an apprenticeship is the "smart" way to get an education which leads to a good job and 26% said that an apprenticeship is more useful than a university degree in view of the on-the-job training provided. 

Dick Olver, chairman of BAE Systems said: "It's fantastic to see that the huge amount of work put into promoting the value and image of apprenticeships over the last few years is now making a real impact. We need to encourage more organisations throughout the UK to offer apprenticeships."

Sir John Parker, president of the Royal Academy of Engineering said: "If the UK's industrial strategy is to be successful in its delivery, we will need a much bigger push for apprenticeships and other vocational pathways to engineering careers, so I am delighted to see that perceptions are changing for the better."

Skills minister Matthew Hancock said: "I want choosing to go to university or beginning an apprenticeship to become the new norm for young people, and I'm pleased to see that attitudes are changing."