Top 100: Apprenticeships are on course to become more popular than degrees

After years seen as second choice to degrees the value of apprenticeships began to be championed again, and we are boldly predicting they are about to become the most popular choice of all.

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Apprentice Amy Brown, from Gloucesteshire, picks up the Amazon Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award at 2023 National Apprenticeship Awards

In every long-running battle to change hearts and minds there is often a tipping point, and for those fighting to see apprenticeships given the same respect as a career path as degrees that point could be happening right now.

What has convinced us to make such a bold claim?

UCAS, the University Central Admissions Service, the very organisation that champions UK degree courses to millions around the world every year, has revealed a huge surge in demand since the Covid-19 pandemic.

You also might be astonished to learn that the Cheltenham-headquartered organisation turns out to be not just an almighty champion of apprenticeships but a major catalyst for the change we are talking about.

Raikes discovered as much when we visited UCAS’s latest annual report to establish its current place in the Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire, Raikes rolling series following the financial fortunes of the nation’s biggest businesses by turnover which our paying members can see in our Reports & Deals channel.