Apprenticeships are a win-win for young people, providing a full-time job and degree-level education without the debt. So why do many parents worry about their value? Here, one mother and daughter tell AAT about their apprenticeship journey.

“Mum, I’m going to apply for an accounting apprenticeship.”

When Grace Hardy came downstairs one evening with this announcement, her mother, Caroline, was taken aback: she’d never heard her daughter talk about accountancy before.

Parental concerns

For other parents, such news might trigger feelings of confusion: why an apprenticeship over a degree? Although more school-leavers increasingly view apprenticeships as a viable career option – nearly half (46%) of GCSE students considered apprenticeships according to UCAS – the biggest barrier to young people starting an apprenticeship is their folks.

One recent Talking Futures survey of 2,000 parents with children aged 11-18 found 17% believe apprenticeships were poorly paid, with 9% concerned they could limit future career flexibility. It follows previous government research which found more than 60% of parents with children aged 13-18 feared their child could be stuck “making the tea” if they opted for an apprenticeship.

These worries don’t tally with the reality. Today’s degree apprenticeships (or graduate apprenticeships in Scotland) are the equivalent of a university degree, without the student debt.

Apprenticeships have excellent job prospects too: 92% of apprentices stay in employment after completing their apprenticeship; only 61% of university graduates are in full-time work 15 months later.

As for accounting apprenticeships, the average AAT apprentice will earn around 78% more than somebody on a minimum wage.

Watching your child make decisions about their education and career that could impact the rest of their lives is never easy. But in Grace’s case, it turned out to be the right decision: two years after starting her AAT apprenticeship at top 10 accounting firm Mazars, she qualified as an accountant.

In 2023, aged just 21, she started her own business Hardy Accounting. Here, mother and daughter explain how an apprenticeship was the key to helping Grace flourish.

Weighing up apprenticeships vs. university

Caroline: “I’d grown up with the idea apprenticeships were trades-focused, for electricians or plumbers. However, in my job as a nursing university lecturer, I started working with apprentices and immediately thought apprenticeships were a brilliant idea. Over the years, I’ve seen so many people who thought they’d never go to university do an apprenticeship then thrive as healthcare assistants.”

Grace: “At school, the GCSEs/A-levels/university/job route was drilled into us. Yet, I was diagnosed with dyslexia at primary school and frequently felt stupid and dumb thanks to teachers and others putting limiting beliefs on me. Sometimes I’d be in tears thinking, ‘I can’t do this’. I still got good A-levels (ABB) and a place studying politics and social policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). However, I declined the offer. I knew university wasn’t for me: it’d just be an extension of school. I told my mum, who suggested apprenticeships…”

Caroline: “It’s a real challenge for any 18-year-old when deciding what they want to do. I’ve got two daughters and told them both, ‘I just need you to get a further education qualification – it doesn’t need to be a university degree.’

Grace: “I then visited the school careers adviser. I asked what apprenticeship level I should study and they said, ‘I didn’t even realise there were levels!’ At that point, I knew school wasn’t equipped to help me navigate this journey.”

Caroline: “Grace and I attended an apprenticeship careers fair. She’d never talked about accountancy, so when she came downstairs one evening and talked about an accounting apprenticeship, it wasn’t on my radar at all. However, I knew some apprenticeship qualifications are equivalent to degrees. I also knew apprenticeships are hard work, so we talked about the challenges of working and studying at the same time. Grace seemed as keen as ever that this was what she wanted to do.”

Confidence and communication skills

Caroline: “Once Grace started her apprenticeship at Mazars, I was impressed how she hit the ground running. Within the first few months, she was out auditing other businesses and shadowing experienced employees.”

Grace: “Apprentices are thrown in at the deep end. During my first fortnight, I had a one-to-one with a client. I had no idea what I was doing, but you eventually learn and adapt by asking questions and being an adult… One of the biggest myths about apprenticeships is people think they’re easier than university… Many of my friends at university only attend two days a week!”

Caroline: “The confidence Grace picked up during the three years of her apprenticeship was fantastic. She’s 22 now and looking at the confidence she has with clients or networking… I don’t think she would be the same person had she gone to university.”

Grace: “I picked up so many soft skills during my apprenticeship that I might not necessarily acquired at university. I can work to deadlines, communicate with clients, work under pressure and problem-solve – all have been instrumental in my business.”

Money matters

Caroline: “Grace also became more financially savvy during her apprenticeship. Earning her own money gave her a real boost and pushed her to work even harder. Although she initially lived at home with me (which was nice!) she moved into a flat with other apprentices. When looking for a place to rent, Grace knew exactly how much she could afford. I was impressed! Earning her own money gave Grace freedom – it wasn’t bad money either!”

Grace: “I started on £20,000 as an 18-year-old. When I finished my apprenticeship, I was on £40,000. During this time, I bought a Mini Cooper, and have now got an Audi A1 – my dream car since I was 14. I’ve saved too and ploughed money into my business.”

Caroline: “As a single mother, it was helpful [not supporting Grace at university]. Living with her friends also meant she didn’t miss out on the kind of social life that university students enjoy.”

Grace: “All my friends went to university. Many of them have now left and can’t find grad jobs because the market is so oversaturated. Sometimes they say to me, ‘You’ve got three years’ work experience, an income and aren’t in debt, whereas I’ve just paid loads of money!’”

Caroline: “When Grace came home one night and announced she wanted to start her own business, I thought it was a great idea. I said, ‘If it doesn’t work out, you’ve still got a formal qualification and you can come back and live at home’. I’m pleased to say she hasn’t.”

Advice for parents

Caroline: “Do your homework. Fortunately, there’s so much information available online about apprenticeships. Attend careers fairs too. When I attended with Grace, it was a great opportunity to ask questions – not just to employers, but existing apprentices too.

Above all, I think it’s important to look at your kids as individuals and work out what would suit them. My other daughter took the university route, but apprenticeships couldn’t have been more perfect for Grace. Apprenticeships are one of the best ways to get a qualification, partly because they’re so difficult! I’m incredibly proud of Grace. And I couldn’t have a more positive view of apprenticeships.”