Less than a third of parents know anything about the new T level qualifications, according to a new poll. The survey, commissioned the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), found that just 29 per cent knew anything about the qualifications, due to be introduced from next year. This has improved from 23 per cent who said the same last year.

However, after being given a short description of the courses, which are said to provide an alternative to A levels, 72 per cent said they think T levels will help prepare young people with the skills needed for the workforce.

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Apprenticeship vs university

But while there was a lack of knowledge about T levels, the majority (59 per cent) out of the more than 800 parents questioned believe that getting an apprenticeship gives youngsters a better chance of securing a good job than going to university.

Just over half (51 per cent) said they would encourage their child to apply for an apprenticeship instead of applying to go to university. Just under half of those polled agreed that, generally speaking, vocational qualifications are better than academic qualifications.

Rob Wall, head of policy at CMI, said: "Raising awareness of T levels with parents is proving to be a real challenge. As parents are a major influencer in young people's education and career choices, educating and informing parents will be key to making T levels a success.

"At CMI, we know that high quality technical and vocational education increases employability and boosts social mobility, and the government's recent announcement to invest additional funding in T levels is to be welcomed. But students cannot enjoy these benefits if they are not aware of or not encouraged to consider non-academic pathways."