LEAP Apprenticeships & Early Careers’ Post

University or Apprenticeship? The big debate! 🎓💼 While many headed off to university, I took a different route—an apprenticeship! Instead of student loans, I earned while I learned, gaining real-world experience and completing my AAT qualification along the way. And the best part? My AAT is now helping me kick-start my ICAEW giving me exam exemptions and a solid foundation to build on! 🚀 Would I change my decision? Not a chance! Everyone’s journey is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all path to success. Whether you choose university or an apprenticeship, what matters most is finding the right fit for YOU. Which path did you take, and would you do it again?

💡DYK that Registered Apprenticeships allow you to learn in-demand skills while you earn good pay and avoid the typical student debt? Learn how one can work for you at apprentice.ohio.gov! #ApprenticeshipWorks

Today, we’re busting myths and boosting knowledge. 🚀 📚 Did you know youth apprenticeships can lead to college credits and solid careers without the burden of debt? Let's debunk more myths and spread the word about the real benefits of apprenticeships. 🔎 💼 #YAW2024 #ApprenticeshipUSA #WeAreRuralEducation #ThisIsRural #RuralDevelopment

💡 Thinking about your future? 💡 Here's a fun fact: on average, apprentices earn up to £7k more in their twenties than graduates! Skip the student loans and dive straight into real-world experience. With an apprenticeship, you're not just studying—you’re gaining skills, earning a salary, and setting yourself up for success. ⭐ 🚀Why wait? Start building your career now! Discover more here👇 https://hubs.li/Q02Rsw2f0 #ApprenticeshipWins #EarnWhileYouLearn #SkillsForSuccess #CareerGoals"

Union apprenticeships are the gold standard, delivering pathways into middle-class trades that rival public universities in Indiana. ✔ Rigorous training ✔ More diverse enrollment ✔ Competitive earnings ✔ Zero student loan debt MORE: https://lnkd.in/g6j84GVm

Why are Apprenticeships better than attending University full time?🤔 For many young people, apprenticeships offer a far more practical and rewarding path than university. While university often promises a brighter future, the reality is that it leaves countless students burdened with enormous debt and, in many cases, uncertain job prospects. In contrast, apprenticeships allow you to earn while you learn, gaining hands-on experience in your chosen field without the crushing weight of student loans. Employers often value the real-world skills developed through apprenticeships, and many apprentices find themselves in well-paid jobs as soon as they qualify. Meanwhile, university graduates can spend years chasing opportunities, only to find they lack the practical experience employers demand. While university may suit certain careers, the apprenticeship route is ideal for those who prefer to hit the ground running, build their future debt-free, and avoid being stuck in lecture halls for years with no guarantee of success.

Did you know? As U.S. apprenticeships expand to professional industries such as IT, banking, and insurance, some programs now yield acceptance rates that rival Ivy League schools, explains Douglas Belkin on The Wall Street Journal's “Your Money Briefing.” Take a listen to learn how competitive apprenticeship programs work, how employers view apprenticeship opportunities, and how we overcome a historic perception of an apprenticeship vs. a degree. And as you’re listening, take note of how #ApprenticeshipDegrees hold the power to bridge the divide between on-the-job learning and traditional degree programs. 🔗: https://lnkd.in/gnSCzthz #Job2Degree #HigherEd

Federal Support for Apprenticeships is Soaring! 🚀 Exciting times as the Inflation Reduction Act ushers in unprecedented support for apprenticeships, with a whopping $244M in grants to expand high-paying jobs in sectors that don't require a college degree. This is a historic investment spread across 32 states, aiming to enrich the apprenticeship landscape and make these opportunities more accessible. Discover how the Inflation Reduction Act is driving historic support for apprenticeships with $244M in grants across 32 states, opening up countless career paths. Read more here: https://bit.ly/47W86RO #Apprenticeships#InflationReductionAct #WorkforceDevelopment #GoSprout

My youngest is just about to start University but, due to the tuition fees and maintenance loans, I'm increasingly questioning the value of it. And that's before I get to the cost to myself as I have to contribute as his maintenance loan is reduced due to my earnings. Three years of University probably cost around £60k. As a basic rate taxpayer, the student will need to earn c£90k in gross earnings just to cover that, ignoring any interest. For higher rate tax payers its even more. On top of that, they've missed out on three years in the workplace. Perhaps another £60k in lost earnings. So, that's perhaps a £150k your losing before you even start work with your degree. Factor in the interest on your student loans and how many years does it take to get into 'profit'? I know University isn't only about future career and earnings prospects. But crunching the numbers I suspect he'd be better off getting an apprenticeship. However, he has his heart set on University and, as a parent, I don't want a lifetime of blame for apparently crushing his dreams. Though if I'd thought about the maths a few years earlier, I think I'd have tried to adjust his expectations and made University the exception rather than the norm that it currently is for many.

Crazy figures... 💸 I'm interested to hear everyone's thoughts on degrees vs apprenticeships... In my opinion, it really depends on the degree. If you're aiming to become a doctor, barrister, or something similar, then a degree is absolutely "worth it." However, it's a bit of a double-edged sword because if that's your plan, you don't have many other options. For most people, though, starting work and earning money sooner rather than later (and avoiding debt) is a smart move. I also think it's important to consult or research how to manage the money you earn—whether it’s saving, investing etc... #university #insurance #earlycareers #apprenticeships