The proportion of people who think that on-the-job training or an apprenticeship offers the best career prospects, compared with a university course, has risen to almost a third, according to Bank of Scotland research.

In a survey of more than 3,000 adults, just one in three (33 per cent) said they believe that university remains the best option despite the costs, falling from two in five (38 per cent) last year. Meanwhile, the proportion that view job training or an apprenticeship as the best option jumped from 29 per cent to 32 per cent.

Cost is viewed as one factor in this shift, with 9 per cent of Scots believing that a university education is no longer financially viable.

Colleges crucial

Shona Struthers, chief executive of Colleges Scotland, said the organisation welcomed the growing recognition among Scots of the value and benefits provided by apprenticeships and work-based training “as an effective route into a successful career, as colleges play such an important role in their delivery”. 

“It is also encouraging to see that young people are becoming more aware of all the options available to them, as there are now many routes into employment,” she added.

“Colleges across Scotland offer a diverse range of courses and work in partnership with schools, universities and employers to provide nationally recognised learning pathways. Studying at colleges provides people with terrific opportunities to train, retrain, develop work-ready skills and progress into rewarding employment.”