Parents and their children in the East Midlands are divided over whether university or an apprenticeship is the best next step towards a successful career ahead of the release of A-Level and GCSE results, research commissioned by Amazon has revealed.

The study found 81 per cent of parents in the East Midlands believe an apprenticeship would provide their child with a good chance of getting a permanent job, compared with 54 per cent for university – the lowest number in the UK. 

The YouGov survey also revealed 76 per cent of parents in the East Midlands thought an apprenticeship provided good earnings potential, compared with 68 per cent for university education. 

However, students from the East Midlands disagree with parents, with 82 per cent believing university provides good earning potential compared with 65 per cent for apprenticeships. 

A degree came out on top for providing a good opportunity to get a permanent job (79 per cent), compared with an apprenticeship (73 per cent).

For those who do choose an apprenticeship as their next career step, Amazon says provides opportunities for upskilling and retraining for people of all ages, at all stages of their careers, offering schemes in a wide variety of areas including engineering, cyber security, broadcast production, and operations management.

One person who has taken the next step in her career with an apprenticeship is Sophie Wileman, an apprentice from the Amazon delivery station in Coalville.

Sophie says mixing with different people from across Amazon and learning from their skills is an invaluable experience

Sophie has worked at Amazon for almost three years, joining the company in 2021 as an HR assistant at the Amazon delivery station in Coalville and later progressing to apprenticeship co-ordinator. Sophie started a Coaching Professional apprenticeship in 2021 and recently completed the programme. 

She will graduate later this year.

It was within her role as apprenticeship co-ordinator that Sophie became inspired to complete an apprenticeship herself. 

Sophie said: "It seemed like a no-brainer. Within my role, I arrange apprenticeships constantly, so it made sense to complete one myself. It wasn't a planned decision, but I wanted to expand my opportunities and develop more within my role at Amazon, and the apprenticeship made this possible.

"At Amazon there are countless development opportunities and you're always given time to learn," she added. 

"The apprenticeship taught me so many new skills and I really honed these skills when working alongside my managers. After completing the apprenticeship, I also felt much more confident in speaking about the apprenticeship programme!"

To anyone considering joining the Amazon Apprenticeship programme, Sophie said: "Do it! Make sure to do your research beforehand as there are so many different apprenticeship courses out there. 

"I'd also say enjoy it! Mixing with different people from across Amazon and learning from their skills is an invaluable experience, so soak up as much as you can."