University Vs Apprenticeships.
These days young people are told that they must go to University when they leave college and get a good career in a high powered job, but what’s not made clear is that unless you come from a well-off background, you will be saddled with a very large student loan for the years to come and with interest to pay on top.
Even if you were to Graduate and eventually find a suitable job, you will have to be earning a very high wage to allow for the student loan money to be deducted from your wages every month until the full amount has been paid off.
Students are told that if and when they graduate, they will be able to earn on average much more than a none graduated person, however, with so many people applying for the same jobs, it's hard to determine if this holds true.
For your interest:
The rate will range from RPI for those earning up to £21,000 per Annum, up to a maximum of RPI + 3% at a salary of £41,000 and above. On average students with loans taken after September 2012 will have accrued £44,000 of Debt.
From my point of view, I think that Apprenticeships are far better for young people that did not get the chance to go to University or may not be academically inclined.
For those reasons alone, in my opinion, apprenticeships can and do certainly help young people to get a good trade skill under their belt that once mastered will stay with them for life and will always be in demand.
Speaking for myself, I never got the chance to go to university and had to make do with the skills I was given, luckily for me, I was offered an apprenticeship with a very large Company that sold high-end furniture and enjoying woodwork at School I felt that I should look for something in that field of work, I applied for a job to learn woodwork but there were no vacancies, however, there was a vacancy for an apprentice French polisher.
Well, I thought this may be a little easier than woodwork, so jumped at the opportunity and accepted to be a signed up apprentice for four and half years, and during that time I was to work hard and learn as much as I could from the highly skilled craftsmen that I worked with.
After my apprenticeship had ended it was expected of me to leave and gain more experience elsewhere, this I did and found it was really good for me to learn increased skills in the art of French polishing.
Eventually, I went back to where I had done my apprenticeship and now I was treated like an adult instead of just the Boy.
I was now on equal footing with the other skilled workers and that made me feel proud.
So my advice to all the young people out there, is to think long and hard about what are your best qualities? Do you have the skills for a career in academia or are you better suited to a skilled job?
Due to the skills shortage certainly in London, there is a high demand for skilled trades in all fields of work, and therefore, higher wages can be demanded.
University's do unwittingly teach young people to live independently whilst studying on campus, and the constant partying that goes on can be an attraction for some, and from what I have been told it's an experience not to be missed, however, there is no guarantee that you will get the job of your dreams after years spent reading books and developing your skills for the wider world.
Therefore, think carefully about your career path and once decided go for it and let no one stop you. Good luck whatever you choose.
Regards,
Andrew.
