top stories

Professional qualifications are not being offered as a serious alternative to university, a survey has revealed.

Less than a third of 16-18-year-olds in the North East had been spoken to about professional qualifications as an alternative to higher education, according to a poll commissioned by ACCA UK.

The survey also found that after being made aware of other options, 54 per cent said they would consider professional qualifications instead of university and nearly a third of students in the region said that the rising cost of university would make them reconsider.

Andrew Leck, head of ACCA UK, said: 'The need for good careers advice has been rightly thrust to the top of the Governments agenda.

'Subject to the passage of the Education Bill, from September 2012 schools will have a legal duty to provide students with independent careers advice, which must come from a source other than an employee of the school.

'Professional bodies across all industries must recognise the important part they play in this guidance and education, not only by educating students directly, but by assisting careers advisors when explaining the range of choices in their field.'

Back to top