Almost all students between the age of 17 and 18 feel their school or college should put more effort in to helping them prepare for work, a recent study has found.
The research, conducted by GetMyFirstJob, found that 98% of respondents felt their institution could do more to ready them for employment.
Nine in ten felt that school only prepared them for exams, with 91% of students believing that results should not be the only way of measuring ability.
David Allison, founder and managing director at GetMyFirstJob said: “Our research suggests that many young people feel that not enough is being done at schools to promote alternative career paths
“It is also clear from the survey that UK students feel that too much pressure is being placed on getting good grades, over practical career guidance.”
Two thirds of respondents (66%) felt that apprenticeships would offer faster career progression than continuing their education at university. Despite this, only 21% claim they felt supported by their college to pursue an apprentice position.
When discussing future options in career guidance sessions, 63% discussed further education with an advisor, compared to only 10% talking about traineeships.
With the government recently announcing the national apprenticeship levy, there will be mounting pressure on schools and colleges to discuss alternative routes to further education.
Allison commented: “There has never been a better time for young people in the UK to follow alternative career paths. It is vitally important however that they feel supported and informed in their choices, and clearly more needs to be done across UK schools in offering more diverse career advice.”