New government push to ensure schools promote apprenticeships

The government is considering new legislation that will ensure schools give equal weighting to apprenticeships and academic options when giving careers advice.

A report in the Independent suggests that the move aims to end ‘outdated snobbery’ against technical education, with new rules that would require schools to allow technical colleges and companies providing apprenticeships to come into schools and talk to pupils about non-academic options after school.

The Department of Education is reportedly concerned that many schools are creating a culture where apprenticeships are second best to study and so only recommending them to lower achieving pupils.

The move is also likely spurred by the government’s commitment to create three million apprenticeships by 2020, as set out in the Conservative Party manifesto.

Talking to the Independent, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said: “As part of our commitment to extend opportunity to all young people, we want to level the playing field – making sure they are aware of all the options open to them and are able to make the right choice for them.

“For many young people going to university will be the right choice, and we are committed to continuing to expand access to higher education, but for other young people the technical education provided by apprenticeships will suit them better.

“That’s why I’m determined to tackle the minority of schools that perpetuate an outdated snobbery towards apprenticeships by requiring those schools to give young people the chance to hear about the fantastic opportunities that apprenticeships and technical education offer.”