Greene King: 19% of parents would not urge kids to go to university

15-Aug-2023 - Last updated on 15-Aug-2023 at 15:44 GMT

Pay to learn: money issues are the main reason parents would struggle if their child were to go to university (credit: Getty/skynesher)

One of five parents would not encourage their children to go to university, according to brewer and pub operator Greene King.

Research commissioned by the Suffolk-based company found 19% of parents feel university is not the right choice for their children with cost pressures listed as the main cause for concern.

The study, which probed 1,000 respondents, discovered more than seven in 10 (73%) parents say they would struggle to support their child financially if they went to university this year, with almost half (45%) saying they’re worried about the impact of student debt on their kids.

Meanwhile, Greene King said it will continue its apprenticeship scheme, building on its 2022 commitment to taking on 5,000 new apprentices by 2025. Since 2011, the business has supported more than 16,500 apprentices at various levels.

Hands-on experience

When it comes to the workplace, Brits are in favour of hands-on experience, with 84% saying experience in a practical working environment, such as a pub, builds character.

At the same time, over a quarter of parents (26%) said their own degree qualification was not essential to their chosen career path, with almost half (47%) saying they would not go to university if they were re-living their education years.

According to the latest research, the ability to ‘earn as you learn’ (earning a wage while gaining a qualification) was voted as the most appealing aspect of an apprenticeship by 60% of parents.

Greene King said apprenticeship qualifications it offers range from Production Chef Level 2 (equivalent to 5 x GCSEs) up to Senior Level 7 (MBA).

Best of luck

Greene King chief people and transformation officer Andrew Bush said: “We want to wish everyone the best of luck ahead of A-Level results day (Thursday 17 August).

“Whatever happens on A-Level and GCSE results days, it’s worth remembering that there are alternative career paths available, not just university.

“Our apprenticeship programme allows young people to immerse themselves in the hospitality industry and forge a long-lasting, rewarding and exciting career.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the industry and looking for some hands-on experience, or if you’re looking to enhance your career with a senior qualification – we’ve got something for you.

“Not only can you earn from the get-go (meaning no restrictive student debt), every day is different in this fast-paced and fun industry.”