A-level students turning to apprenticeships
New research has found that a quarter of A-level students are planning to take an apprenticeship this year.
This represents a rise from just 15% in 2022.
More than half of students (51%) said that apprenticeships appeal to them because they want to start earning money immediately, up from 40% last year.
Meanwhile, 39% of A-level students polled said they believed they could get better training in the workplace, either through an apprenticeship or full-time employment. This compares to 28% who said the same thing in 2024.
Apprenticeship Central has been established to help automotive apprentices looking to join the industry by pairing suitable candidates with repairers and then supporting them through the journey.
Apprenticeship routes
Eleanor Baker Barnes, commercial director at Apprenticeship Central, said: “This year we’ve seen a noticeable rise in enquiries from motivated, high-achieving students who are actively exploring apprenticeship routes. These are candidates who could easily choose university, but are recognising that apprenticeships offer them the chance to earn while they learn and progress faster.
“For employers, this is an unmissable opportunity to access the best young talent at a time when skills are in short supply.”
Baker Barnes said the trend is mirrored in Apprenticeship Central’s own experience, with strong post-results engagement particularly from students with excellent academic results who are eager to apply their skills directly in the workplace.
