Rise in university fees could boost skills sector

Watson said that the anticipated rise in university fees to £7,000 a year may encourage school leavers to seek alternative options to higher education.

‘University is becoming more and more expensive, and a time will come when a degree becomes an option many people simply can’t afford,’ she said. ‘As young people explore their further education options, they may well find that the vocational route, with its combination of on-the-job and classroom-based training supported by a salary from day one, is a more attractive option than university. In a way, it may boil down to whether school leavers want an opportunity to learn skills for life or start their careers saddled with debt.’

She added: ‘At a time when graduate fees and living costs are rising and leading to worrying levels of debt, there is a duty for schools and colleges to inform students properly about alternative options, including vocational training.

‘This advice is generally lacking in the current system and, as a result, young people are turning to university in the belief that this is their only option for a rewarding career.’