Rise in tuition fees triggers school leaver programmes

With the hike in tuition fees throughout UK universities, more students than ever are now considering apprenticeships and school leaver programmes as a way of advancing their careers. Considering tuition fees alone will now cost £27,000 for an average three year degree, students are seriously considering their options given how much debt they will incur.

With the increase in school leaver programmes from some of the largest companies in the UK, students are now thinking twice about whether a degree is required to secure a top job. For many vocations a degree will always be essential, however with companies that have traditionally only recruited graduates now looking at school leavers, more companies may now look to bypass university students and recruit individuals at an earlier stage.

With careers provision also being effected in high schools, it is now even more difficult for students to be able to decide which careers might be right for them. Tools such as the career test are being used in high schools now to help students find out what careers might be of interest to them, but with the reduction in face-to-face advice, pupils are facing ever-increasing difficulties.

Many of the largest companies in the UK are actually taking steps to go into schools themselves as a way of educating students on what different opportunities are out there in different industries. Many of the largest accountancy, law and engineering firms for example are now providing advice directly to schools to ensure students are better equipped to make career decisions. It’s impossible for them to plug the gap that has now been created and it remains to be seen what will happen to those about to leave school over the next few years.