The narrative around career choices for young people in Britain is shifting. Whilst university applications continue to dominate, a quiet revolution is taking place.
According to the latest Early Careers Survey 2025, apprenticeships are experiencing a resurgence that deserves our attention.
The numbers tell a story
For the first time in years, we’re seeing a measurable uptick in apprenticeship interest. The proportion of young people planning an apprenticeship as their next career step has risen from 8% to 10% – a modest increase that masks a more significant trend.
Among school pupils, 14% are considering apprenticeships, rising to a remarkable 25% among sixth form and college students. This represents a fundamental shift in how teenagers are viewing their career options.
Industry demand is real
The sectors in high demand for apprenticeships are thriving and full of exciting career prospects, not fading industries or dead-end roles. Business, consulting and management leads the charge at 23%, followed by healthcare and psychology at 22% and accountancy, banking and finance at 20%. These are growth sectors with clear career progression routes.
What’s particularly encouraging is that apprentices themselves understand this. They prioritise training and development (96% rate it as important) and career progression more heavily than traditional jobseekers.
The skills gap solution
Britain faces a well-documented skills shortage. Whilst universities produce graduates with theoretical knowledge, apprenticeships produce workers with immediately applicable skills and industry experience.
The 62% of apprentices who will earn a degree or Masters as part of their programme get the best of both worlds – practical experience and academic credentials.
This hybrid approach addresses one of the key challenges facing graduate employment: the experience paradox. How do you gain experience without a job, and how do you get a job without experience? Apprenticeships neatly sidestep this catch-22.
The support network needs strengthening
The survey reveals a critical gap that needs addressing. Only 44% of prospective apprentices have sought advice from careers professionals, despite these being rated as among the most helpful sources of guidance. Even fewer (26%) have spoken to industry professionals.
This represents a massive missed opportunity. Unlike university applications where processes are well-established and widely understood, apprenticeship pathways can seem opaque to young people and their families. Better careers guidance could unlock far greater interest in these routes.
A cultural shift in the making
The rise in younger people considering apprenticeships suggests we’re witnessing a cultural shift. Previous generations may have viewed apprenticeships as a second-choice option for those who “couldn’t make it” to university. Today’s teenagers are more pragmatic – they’ve seen older siblings graduate into uncertain job markets whilst carrying substantial debt.
The fact that 53% of those planning apprenticeships work in person (compared to the growing trend toward hybrid working elsewhere) shouldn’t be seen as a drawback. It represents genuine, hands-on learning and mentoring opportunities that remote work simply cannot replicate.
Looking forward
The apprenticeship route isn’t suitable for everyone, nor should it be. Some careers absolutely require university-level theoretical grounding. However, for young people who learn better by doing, who want to earn whilst they learn and who are attracted to practical, skills-based careers, apprenticeships offer an increasingly compelling alternative.
At EKWilliams Chartered Accountants, we believe our team is the heart of our exceptional service. We’re excited to offer school leavers the chance to kickstart their careers with our rewarding apprenticeship schemes.
If you would like to enquire about joining our team, please do not hesitate to get in touch at: info@ekwgroup.co.uk.