Richard Grice is Chief Executive of Pera Training, one of the largest providers in the UK of government funded and commercially tailored training programmes. He explains the vital role apprenticeships will play in shoring up the future competitiveness of the UK economy.

Apprenticeships and other forms of vocational ‘higher’ education are key to Britain staying ahead in the global race.

Over the last 20-30 years, we have seen an increasing requirement for all young people – regardless of academic ability or individual interests – to attain at least a university degree in order to secure their success in the labour market.

Whilst for many this will be an appropriate route for them to fulfil their ambitions and realise their potential, it is not for all.

Triggered in part by the economic crisis and coupled with the rise in tuition fees, employers and young people alike are beginning to see, once again, the benefits of vocational ‘higher’ education, that combines actual work (as opposed to work experience) with structured learning. This route is, in many cases, a more viable and often more individually appropriate alternative to the academic route.

‘Apprenticeships’ is no longer a term to be only associated with manufacturing and engineering trades. Instead, it is a term that describes, equally, the training, education and learning that will be received by 10,000 young people in the legal, accountancy and consulting fields, as recently announced by Vince Cable when reaffirming the Government’s commitment to supporting 600,000 apprenticeship places per year.

But, why should a highly capable and ambitious young person take the vocational route?

Firstly, there are the financial implications for ‘A’ Level leavers embarking on a three-year undergraduate programme. They will have student loans to repay once they start their careers, possibly upwards of £50,000.

Secondly, developing ‘sector’ knowledge at the same time as combining it with academic learning in the classroom is a potent mix and provides a strong platform for high-achievers to demonstrate their potential early on and so secure the important early jumps up the career ladder.

Thirdly, it is about what suits the individual. A few years ago there were few alternatives to university. Many of the standing social and cultural norms, the parental pressure to ‘do better than we did’, made the academic route the de facto option for the vast majority of young people with the required grades to get a place. The broad range of apprenticeships on offer now offers a real alternative for young people that want to experience the working environment, build a career and earn a living at a time that they feel ready to do so.

Against this backdrop, employers need to develop the best ‘apprenticeship programmes’ to compete for the best young people that want to pursue a vocational career, pushing up standards and driving competition.

Vocational education and vocationally based careers should be welcomed; they provide choice and an alternative pathway for young people to make their contribution to society, the economy and to take control of their careers.

Throughout Europe, the momentum to give vocational education equal standing to academia is gathering pace; in early July the European Alliance for Apprenticeships was launched at the World Skills conference in Leipzig, a celebration of global vocational skills, to champion this agenda at a trans-national level across the continent.

The UK is at the forefront of this movement. Progressive moves by the Government, supporting 600,000 apprenticeships and the growth of apprenticeships in professions that until recently were the domain of post-graduates only, is testament to a much more inclusive and forward looking society.

Only by ensuring that perceptions of, and attitudes toward, apprenticeships among employers and employees continue to change will the UK economy continue to stay ahead in the global race.