In association with:

• Do young people still want to go to university?

• Are apprenticeships a good alternative to university?

• Should careers advice be taught at school?

• Should employers come into schools?

• And what do employers think?

Key Themes

Do young people still want to go to university?

Source: UCAS Applicant Statistics April 2014

University applications are at the highest level since 2011

More than half of students say they are put off by the costs of going to university

Sample: 300 students

52% plan to go to university

55% “the cost of university puts me off”

Are apprenticeships a good alternative to university?

Only 1 in 5 students plan to do an apprenticeship

Sample: 300 students

Teachers value apprenticeship schemes

Sample: 430 teachers

Should careers advice be taught at school?

Students would like more careers advice at school

Sample: 300 students

Sample: 430 teachers

Ofsted calls for better careers guidance for young people

Sample: 430 teachers

Should employers come into schools?

Teachers think it’s useful for employers to come in and talk to young people

Sample: 430 teachers

57% of teachers said that employers come in and talk to their students

84% think this is useful for students

And they would like more contact with both parents and employers

Sample: 430 teachers

Parents would prefer to have contact with teachers about careers advice

Sample: 198 parents.

Parents are keen for employers to speak to young people about careers

96% of parents would like employers to speak to young people

Sample: 198 parents

And what do employers think?

How many employers offer apprenticeships?

Sample: 185 employers

How valuable are apprentices?

72% “apprentices offer good ROI for my business”

Apprentices are more likely to progress and stay longer than graduates

Sample: 185 employers

Employers want more visibility in schools

Sample: 185 employers

Our Story: Young People at the Guardian

Anne Eden-Russell & Jo Baddeley