Apprenticeships vs university education

No one can foretell the future, unfortunately, which makes choosing a career path particularly difficult. Many in Scotland and the wider UK have always thought university was the way forward, but as the market changes, apprenticeships have come to the forefront in recent years — and they have their takers. But the question remains: which is the better option to set yourself up for future employment? If you’re teetering between an apprenticeship and a degree, we’ve taken on the task of weighing up the pros and cons…

Hitting the ground running: apprenticeships

Perhaps the most attractive feature of apprenticeships is their learn-while-you-earn aspect. No one’s twisted your arm into doing the apprenticeship (hopefully), so you’ll be paid to learn something that you already enjoy doing. There’s also the security of being likely to land a job when you complete the apprenticeship.

Today’s employers want you to hit the ground running, and apprenticeships give you the chance to do exactly that. They can also help you get a foot in the door in sectors that are difficult to enter without the skills and experience.

This sounds pretty positive, so what are the cons? Well, you should think carefully about what you want to do with your life. If you decide that further down the line you’d like to study, you may find an apprenticeship limits the options open to you. This is particularly so if you want to work in science or medicine — you may be pretty nifty with a scalpel or microscope, but you have to back it up with theoretical knowledge.

Then there’s the money. Apprentices start on low salaries (assuming the employer recognises the qualification in the first place) whereas if you graduate from university, you’re more likely to have a higher starting salary.

Going down the academic route: university

Experience is crucial, but many employers also value qualifications. An undergraduate degree is a solid starting point. A university education demonstrates that you have a strong aptitude for learning – not just the knowledge for the job – as well as attributes such as independence and responsibility, which employers also value.

Graduates find that the late nights pouring over text books and making notes pays off in the long run, as employers tend to offer them higher starting salaries. The good news is that many universities in Scotland offer more vocational courses now as well, from marketing and business management to natural therapies and fashion branding. Therefore, you won’t necessarily find a disparity between your academic prowess and the more practical and person-based skills needed for the workplace.

It’s no secret that an active social life is part of university life. However, this can become a disadvantage when you leave the cosy confines of the academic bubble. Sometimes your qualifications can place you on the fringes if you meet people who have taken non-academic or less academic career paths.

Ironically, having studies can make you overqualified for a job, rather than qualified for it. Market saturation means that employers are starting to look for other skills that candidates can bring to certain roles. Being able to offer these skills can be the difference between being just another graduate fresh out of university to the employer and being the right person for the job.

So the learn-while-you-earn route or the learn-then-earn one… afraid the jury’s still out. There are clear arguments for both sides, but in each case, it’s usually the combination of study and practical experience that wins the day. If you’re still in two minds as to which path would be better for you, why not take a look at our jobs board and read through the job descriptions and requirements in your chosen sector?

Images by Chris Hunkeler, m0dlx and groundswell, used under Creative Commons licence.