Parents have admitted they had no idea veterinary nurses and aerospace engineers can get into these careers with an apprenticeship.
A study of 2,000 parents of 11-18-year-olds who attend state and non-fee paying schools in England, found 58 per cent don’t fully understand the range of qualifications available to young people today.
And while many have heard of apprenticeships, 87 per cent also didn’t realise it can open up a career as a paralegal.
Nearly three quarters (74 per cent) had no idea it could allow you to become a veterinary nurse, while others thought the same of a career in aerospace (82 per cent) and as a paramedic or physiotherapist (83 per cent).
It’s not surprising that 61 per cent feel unable to guide their kids when it comes to education options, and 70 per cent are overwhelmed by the difference to their own school days.
It also emerged 17 per cent are under the impression apprenticeships are generally poorly paid, and nine per cent fear they can limit future career flexibility.
The research was commissioned by Talking Futures [https://www.talkingfutures.org.uk/back-to-the-future], which has created an online video with actress Denise Van Outen to highlight how parents’ pre-conceived notions and past experiences of the education landscape could be limiting their child’s future options.
Denise Van Outen said: “I’ve been having lots of conversations recently with my daughter, who is 14, about what she might like to do in the future and the best routes to getting there.
“And I have to admit, it can feel really overwhelming in knowing how to guide her.”
“From my experience when I was at school, it didn’t seem like there were as many pathways – it was quite linear and you just sort of ‘fell into’ a career, without taking the time to think about the full range of options available.
“There are great quality options available to kids today; it’s just a case of knowing how best to help your kids to navigate what’s right for them.
“I think it’s something most parents like me are going through – in fact, this kind of talk is rife right now on the parents’ WhatsApp group at my daughter’s school.”
“I’ll definitely be sharing these resources and the guidance on there.”
The study also found less than a third of parents now believe having a university degree is the only way to be successful in a future career.
While 40 per cent see apprenticeships as a great alternative, believing they are a good way to get practical experience of work while still getting an education.
It also revealed 76 per cent wished they had the same education and career options children have today.
Commissioned via OnePoll, 41 per cent of the parents polled believe their level of knowledge about current education and career pathways may limit their child’s opportunities.
And 76 per cent would feel more confident in supporting their children’s decisions if they had a better understanding of the options available.
Michelle Rea, spokesperson for Talking Futures, which is run by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation, said: “Denise does a brilliant job in this short film of demonstrating the importance of parents not letting their own experiences of school have a negative impact on how they support their child’s education decisions.
“Today’s new research shines a light on that feeling of overwhelm some parents can have as they get to grips with the education options open to their teens.
“Yes, some things are different from when we were at school, but there is information out there to help – parents just need to know where to look.
“We have lots of resources and support that we hope will build parents’ confidence in having education and career conversations with their kids by getting them up to speed on what options are available today.”