Should I go to university or take on a gas apprenticeship?

Young people today are facing increasingly difficult decisions over their future careers, with the jobs market promising few opportunities for a position for life. As university fees continue to rise, many school and college leavers are simply finding such advanced education unaffordable and even those with a degree are finding the search for employment a struggle. These factors have led many young people to consider abandoning their university dreams to embark on an apprenticeship – but how will this affect their career in the long-run and does an apprenticeship offer the same prestige as a degree?

The reality is apprenticeships offer something every job seeker desperately requires – skills and experience. And with plans recently announced by the Government to increase standards in apprenticeships and introduce a new grading system, it won’t be long before apprenticeships receive the respect they deserve and become the norm among school leavers.

The improved apprenticeships system was announced by Prime Minister David Cameron at the end of last year and aims to increase the quality of the learning received by the apprentice and prepare them better for their chosen industry.

A number of companies, including British Gas , have agreed to offer the new style apprenticeships which will be designed specifically around the requirements of the industry and will require candidates to demonstrate their skills effectively through more rigorous assessment standards upon completion of the apprenticeship. Most importantly, the apprenticeship will be graded at the end with either a pass, merit or distinction to show the level of competency achieved by the individual and provide the industry with a clearer picture of their abilities.

The reforms will ensure apprenticeships receive greater respect in the jobs market and offer a platform for young people to develop the kind of skills which will be needed for a lifetime role within their chosen industry. Such moves also enhance the economy and create a better standard of professionalism, which is particularly important within the gas industry where safety is paramount.

The new apprenticeship scheme could be in place by the end of this year and if successful, could be the norm across all industries involved in the pilot.