More than half of parents believe an apprenticeship provides a better chance of getting a job than going to university, according to a new survey.

The poll of more than 1,000 parents of 11- to 18-year-olds, commissioned by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the professional body for management, found nearly two in five think employers are not offering enough apprenticeships, and 75 per cent believe big employers should be required to take on apprentices.

According to the survey, 57 per cent of parents agree an apprenticeship provides a better chance of getting a good job than going to university, and almost half (49 per cent) would encourage their child to apply for an apprenticeship rather than applying to university for an academic-only course.

Cost is also a consideration, with 52 per cent of parents put off recommending university for this reason.

Degree apprenticeships

CMI’s survey reveals that overall parental awareness of degree apprenticeships has increased to 32 per cent in 2018, up from 13 per cent in 2016, and 54 per cent of parents see them as the best value for money for young people starting their studies in 2018.

Petra Wilton, director of strategy at CMI, said: “The results of our survey are clear - awareness of degree apprenticeships has grown at pace in recent years with most parents now rating a degree apprenticeship at a blue-chip corporate over a traditional university degree. 

“We remain concerned that despite the rhetoric the current system is still not employer-led. If ministers will not listen to businesses, then I hope they will listen carefully to what parents are saying.”