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Missing out on a university place might be a blessing in disguise.

As Young People return to schools and colleges for the new academic year, many will consider their future and want to be aware of all the options.

This comes just weeks after the class of 2022 started digesting the most recent crop of ‘A’ level results.
Safaraz Ali, Co-Founder and CEO of Pathway Group, spoke with FE News about the promotion of apprenticeships and said that “missing out on a university place just might be a blessing in disguise for some”.

“There are many good universities and degree courses, but going to university is not for everyone,” said Safaraz Ali, the founder of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards and the Apprenticeship Alliance that encourages people from minority communities to take up apprenticeships.

Minority communities are underrepresented in apprenticeships, and the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards, which is now in its 7th year, started as the Asian Apprenticeship Awards before becoming the BAME Apprenticeship Awards, is helping to address this by turning the spotlight on top apprentices, employers and training providers.

“Many people who do degrees emerge with a lot of debt and a qualification that leaves them either unable to get a job or at least not one at the level they would have hoped,” added Safaraz.

“There are good universities, for example, Birmingham City and Aston, working with Jobcentre Plus to help unemployed and underemployed graduates.

However, this illustrates the problem and shows that some think a university education is not the holy grail.

Safaraz further said that he is encouraged that new Prime Minister Liz Truss positively mentioned apprenticeships during the recent hustings tour.

He also hopes that the new education secretary Kit Malthouse, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the new secretary of state for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy and Simon Clarke, who has cabinet responsibility for Leveling Up, will all recognise the importance of apprenticeships.

Safaraz Ali also acknowledged the commitment to apprenticeships of Rishi Sunak, who was beaten for the leadership by Ms Truss.
“I agree with the former chancellor of the exchequer, Rishi Sunak, that people going to university and then not earning enough to be able to repay their student loan is no good for them or the taxpayer,”.

“Mr Sunak’s support for apprenticeships is welcome, and he is correct that they deserve the same prestige and recognition as a university degree.

“I hope Mr Sunak will continue to speak out for apprenticeships from the back benches.”

Apprenticeships can now be taken in a wide range of occupational sectors and at different levels, up to a degree.
A recent report said that health-related apprenticeships could significantly tackle skills shortages and encourage diversity and inclusion.

“Apprentices earn as they learn and provide the learner with a valuable vocational skill as well as benefitting the employer,” concluded Safaraz.
“They are not only available to young people but can be a way for older workers to make a career change or improve their prospects.

“But my message to young people as they consider their ‘A’ level results are not to despair if they have not got the grades they hoped for.

“Think before taking a second-best option through clearing because missing out on university might be the best thing to happen to you. There are many alternatives, and apprenticeships can be a win-win for the individual, employer and the UK economy.”