Opting out of the classroom at 14 and switching to the hands on education of an apprenticeship is a great idea and would be by far the most radical change to vocational skills training in my lifetime. It’s a game-changer for youth unemployment, giving kids the chance to earn, learn, and build real careers right from the start.

Kickstart Careers

This brilliant scheme, proposed by the Scottish Tories, would allow pupils to leave school as young as 14, but with the requirement that they move straight into either an apprenticeship or college. Encouraging youngsters to take this route is the best thing ever to get them a solid kickstart to their careers.

Learning is Learning!

In today’s world, employers are crying out for skilled young workers, and apprenticeships give them just that. They’re not just about learning a trade; they’re about giving young people the opportunity to thrive in the workplace, no matter their background or academic ability. When I left school at 15, I wish I could have gone even earlier – at 14 – straight into an apprenticeship. If you’re not academic, a traditional classroom setting might not be the right fit for you.

Blueprint for Success

But guess what? That doesn’t mean you can’t succeed. That’s why apprenticeships are such a lifeline. They offer hands-on experience, training, and mentorship in a real work environment, setting you up for a future where you’re never out of work. For me, becoming an apprentice was the best thing ever—it completely transformed my life. I’ve never looked back. The UK is facing a chronic skills shortage, and apprenticeships are the key to fixing it. There are 1 million problems solved if we continue to champion apprenticeships and give young people the tools they need to succeed. If we capture young talent early and provide them with the support they need, it’s not just solving youth unemployment it’s building a stronger economy, creating skilled workers, and giving kids a chance at a fulfilling career.