How apprenticeships are building the workforce businesses need straight from A-levels

As thousands of young people across England had just recently received their A-level results, it marks both an ending and a beginning. For some, university is the next step; for others, the future may feel uncertain, with new options to explore or unexpected turns ahead.

In this article, Sarah Beale, AAT CEO, challenges the outdated notion that university is the only route to success. She outlines a roadmap for accelerating the development of skilled talent, creating work ready individuals that meet the needs of employers today and helps to fill the UK’s skills gap.

Embracing vocational paths on results day

For years, vocational and technical education has taken a back seat to traditional academic routes. But in fields like finance and accountancy, practical, hands-on experience can be every bit as valuable as a university degree and in some cases more so.

According to the Early Careers Survey 2025, only 52% of A-level students now plan to pursue full-time university study, down from 59% in 2022. In contrast, interest in apprenticeships is on the rise, with 25% of students opting for this path, up from just 15% two years ago.

Apprenticeships and vocational qualifications are a smart, fast track into careers in demand. Learners benefit from hands-on experience while earning a salary, they gain invaluable practical experience and secure the formal qualification to ensure professional recognition. This in turn opens doors far wider than a traditional degree.

Employers, in turn, gain access to motivated, real-world ready talent who contribute meaningfully from day one, helping to build a skilled and future-fit workforce.

However, for these routes to truly thrive, they need commitment from every stakeholder: educators, employers, industry bodies and policymakers alike, to invest in, promote and champion them as equal, viable pathways to success.

The power of flexible, practical learning

One of the greatest strengths of vocational education is its flexibility. Courses and apprenticeships are offered through a diverse range of providers, from further education colleges and sixth form settings to private training organisations, and can be studied full-time, part-time, in the evenings, or online. This adaptability allows training to fit around work, caring responsibilities, and other life commitments, making it accessible to people with different circumstances.

The growing demand for flexibility is reflected in a recent AAT survey, which found that two in three jobseekers, and half of female respondents, said that flexible hours and scheduling would significantly increase their likelihood of pursuing an apprenticeship. Wesley Sinfield, an AAT student now working for the London Borough of Barnet, exemplifies this. He studied for an AAT Foundation and Advanced in college at 16 through a fast-track programme, gaining practical skills and meeting training goals set by his employer. His journey highlights how versatile learning routes can open doors for young people to enter the workforce with confidence and capability.

For employers, especially in the accountancy sector, vocational education offers a strategic advantage by providing access to a pipeline of talent, equipped with both much needed technical skills and wider ‘power skills’ creating well rounded talent, ready for the challenges of the workplace, just like Wesley. And a vocational pathway into accountancy doesn’t just open the door to the role they want today, it provides the bedrock of transferable skills that can literally take you anywhere – that’s a win for both the individual and the employer.

Why shared investment matters

For vocational routes to thrive, they need more than just well-designed qualifications. They need shared investment from everyone involved.

Training providers and employers both play a role in creating high-quality learning environments and mentoring opportunities. Professional bodies must ensure qualifications stay relevant and aligned with real-world needs. And those considering these routes, whether school leavers, career changers, or upskillers, benefit most when they feel confident in the value of the path they’ve chosen.

AAT Accounting qualifications are widely accessible across the UK at over 400 accredited centres and increasingly integrated into school and college curriculum, powering 8 out of 10 intermediate and advanced apprenticeships in accounting and finance in England. Designed to meet real-world demands, they combine technical expertise with essential ‘power skills’ such as communication, problem-solving, and negotiation, skills that are transferable across industries and vital for long-term career growth.

When all stakeholders are invested, learners not only gain skills, but they also gain belief in their ability to progress, and that confidence benefits the whole sector.

Looking ahead with confidence

For apprenticeships to truly thrive, schools must give them equal prominence alongside university pathways, employers must provide clear and consistent support, and policymakers must maintain strong, sustained funding. By embracing and investing in these routes, we’re not just closing skills gaps, we’re creating flexible opportunities for people at every stage of life and strengthening industries to meet the challenges ahead.

Choosing a subject such as accountancy, for instance, offers exceptional career flexibility across a variety of sectors, preparing individuals not only for employment but also for entrepreneurship and future leadership.

With this foundation, businesses can develop workforces that are adaptable, resilient and rich with potential. Results day is just one milestone in a longer journey, and through apprenticeships, the industry plays a vital role in shaping confident, capable professionals, while injecting fresh thinking, energy and innovation directly into the workplace.

For further information please visit https://www.aat.org.uk/