IMN Content - Lifestyle and Consumer Content

Is University Really the Only Route for School Leavers?

Thursday sees the release of the A’ Level results and amidst the controversy of university funding cuts, with applications up, an estimated 120,000 applicants will miss out on a places
Home, Lifestyle - 19 August 2010   Download IconContent available for download:  
Audio | Interview with Clare Morley| Login to Download

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.
  News Hooks:

Thursday sees the release of this year’s A’ Level results amidst the controversy of university funding cuts by 3.9% (£836m) and the fear of a ‘lost generation’ within higher education. Despite a record 660,953 university applications, up 12% (68,000) on last year, the cuts will result in 10,000 fewer university places this autumn and it’s estimated that 120,000 applicants will miss out on a place this year.

Leading employers revealed that university graduates are facing the fiercest competition in a decade to get a job this summer, with nearly 70 applications for each vacancy. Research reveals that 83% of students are now worried about their future and half are worried about being unemployed or possible future unemployment.

Further research reveals that despite 41% of past and present students not being 100% confident in their decision to go to university before they went, 38% did not consider any other opportunities other than university education. 23% now feel ‘off track’ with their career progression, 52% would change something about their educational choices if they had the chance and in hindsight, 11% would have gained training to help them get a job.

. Introduction:

With A’ Level results due in just a few days, big decisions are just around the corner for school leavers looking to further their education. The results will be released amidst the controversy of a ‘lost generation’ within higher education; so called because despite applications reaching record levels, thousands of places have been cut and funding reduced by £836 million which is expected to lead to a future skills shortage. The majority of students now admit that they have concerns about future employment as they face the fiercest competition in a decade to secure a job. Yet, research reveals that just under half of students weren’t confident in their decision to go to university in the first place and more than a third of students didn’t consider any of the alternatives. Sadly, one in 10 would, in hindsight, have sort training that would have helped them secure a job.

Why aren’t more students actively seeking vocational courses?

Joining us to discuss this further is Clare Morley, Director of Education and Training at AAT.

. Suggested Questions:

What percentage of students in our area had not given serious thought to vocational training (like Apprenticeships) and professional qualifications, as an alternative to university study?

What are the consequences of too few university places being available?

What are the differences between traditional university courses and vocational courses?

What type of careers can alternative qualifications lead to?

What are the typical salary expectations for someone with an alternative qualification such as accountancy or finance?

Where can we find out more information?