According to research carried out on behalf of the education foundation, Edge, a prejudice towards vocational qualifications is mounting, with 35 per cent of parents believing that vocational learning is for people who don’t do well at school.

Ian Nicol, Managing Director of Aberdeen-based Active, explains why vocational training in the form of apprenticeships offers an attractive route to employment which is beneficial to both trainees and employers.

Specilalists in all areas of both traditional and sustainable energy systems for heating and cooling the home and office, Active employs 72 people 14 of whom are apprentices undertaking a four year course in either Air Conditioning, Service and Maintenance or Ventilation and Electrical with Tullos Training.

Ian said: “There are huge benefits to begining your career as an apprentice, enjoying on the job training while basically being paid to study for a nationally recognised qualification has some obvious advantages over the increasingly popular university route.”


Two thirds of the young people surveyed by Edge said that they were encouraged to go to university while only 26 per cent were advised to take up vocational courses. While university can be an appropriate route for many young people, 1/5 of all students will fail to complete their course and a significant number of graduates will struggle to cope with large sums of student debt they are likely to accrue.

Ian continued: “Taking on apprentices is a great way for Active to bridge the skills gap and we are keen to encourage more young people, particularly girls who are hugely underrepresented in the construction industry, to consider apprenticeships. It can be a real struggle to find suitably qualified staff familiar with the types of sustainable energy technology which we work with. By employing young people as apprentices we can influence their training to ensure they are best qualified for our needs.”

According to a recent salary survey conducted by recruitment firm Source People Ltd, specialists in recruiting for the finance, legal, HR and engineering markets within the global oil and gas industry, graduates leaving university in search of an accountancy position can expect to earn approximately £15,000 - £20,000.

Upon completion of a four year vocational course an apprentice can expect to earn approximately £30,000, while there may be less flexibility in the career path of an apprentice, there is still a strong financial incentive to choosing the vocational route.

(CD)