Matt Carpenter, 21

  • “School was very, very anti-apprenticeship”
  • apprenticeship with the Merchant Navy
  • pro apprenticeship:
    • no student debt and payment
    • well-paid now
    • qualified to drive a big ass ship
  • contra:
    • no social life
    • hard work

Jenny Willbourn, 29

  • engineering firm Atkins
  • undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in geography
  • pro university:
    • opportunity to understand a particular area of knowledge
    • great experience
    • gives specialized skills
    • shows options?!?!
  • contra:
    • skill to critically evaluate isn’t worth anything

Joy Shepheard-Walwyn, 19

  • rejected university place
  • management consultancy apprenticeship with accountancy firm PwC
  • pro apprenticeship:
    • got the ability to relocate
    • company provided a community
    • happy, proud of her achievements
    • earns money already
    • university is sometimes about putting off adulthood
  • contra:
    • relocation was stressful at just 18
    • feels kind of left out but at the same time not