New data shows families increasingly favour vocational and technical pathways

A new study by skills charity, Enginuity, shows a continued shift in how young people and parents view vocational education, apprenticeships, and technical pathways across all sectors. The survey of 1,000 parents and their children aged 11–18 across England explored current attitudes towards apprenticeships, T Levels, and the guidance provided by schools on post‑16 options.

The findings indicate that perceptions of vocational routes are strengthening, though gaps in information and guidance remain. This matters particularly for sectors such as engineering and manufacturing, where apprenticeships and technical pathways are critical to developing the future skilled workforce.

The study reports that 71% of parents would encourage their child to consider an apprenticeship over a conventional degree, a four‑percentage‑point increase on 2025. Parents increasingly view apprenticeships as a credible alternative that combines affordability, practical experience, and progression into skilled careers.

Report highlights include:

• 90% of young people said they would consider an apprenticeship over a typical university degree (up from 86% in 2024).
• 95% of parents expressed interest in learning more about “earn while you learn” opportunities (up from 93% in 2024).
• 91% of young people said they would like more information about apprenticeship pathways (up from 88% in 2024).

The regional picture shows variation rather than uniform progress. The Southwest recorded the largest uplift in parental encouragement, rising from 60% in 2025 to 77% in 2026. Greater London also increased, reaching 75%. In the West Midlands, more young people reported balanced discussions of university and vocational options, alongside higher parental encouragement.

Other regions show untapped potential. In the Northeast and East Midlands, strong interest in apprenticeships sits alongside weaker reported exposure to vocational pathways in schools, suggesting that demand is not always matched by careers guidance.

Strengthening careers guidance and improving the visibility of clear, accessible routes into apprenticeships will be essential to meeting this growing demand.

To read more and download the full report, visit the Enginuity website.