Debt-shy teens shun university education in favour of the real world of work

University is still proving to be a popular choice with school leavers, but an increasing number of 16-18 year olds are deciding against further and higher education due to prospects of high debt. However Pitman Training is warning that good exam grades and enthusiasm alone won’t help school leavers secure their first foot on the career ladder.

Michael Graham, managing director of Pitman Training said: At this time of year there are literally thousands of people applying for a job. Some of those will naturally be students whoíve failed to make the grade, and an increasing number are 16-18 year olds whoíve never harboured dreams of going to university. But people of all ages are realising that as the pass rate for exams are reaching an all time high, results count for very little unless you can demonstrate an ability to do the job, and for a school leaver that can prove extremely difficult.î

Eighteen year old Danielle Shaw is a prime example. Despite her good exam results, when Danielle left school to take her first steps into an administrative role, she hit a brick wall. ìWhen I left school, I started looking for a job immediately. I knew from a young age that I didnít want to go to university because I didnít want to spend my whole life in debt, but I was determined to find a career I enjoyed. I was entirely happy to start at the bottom and work my way up, but of all the junior jobs I applied for, I just received knock-back after knock-back and it really became disheartening.î

In this catch-22 situation of not having the experience to get a job, but needing her first job to get experience, Danielleís grandparents suggested she join a Pitman Training course. ìI did some research on the internet and found that Pitman Training ran a Business Skills diploma, which sounded ideal. A call to my local centre to arrange a quick chat with the centre manager and just over a week later I was enrolled on the course.î

With just a couple of weeks to go until Danielle finishes her diploma at Pitman Training Centre, Maidstone she says: ìI would recommend a Pitman Training diploma to anyone whoís recently left school and found themselves in the same situation as I did. Although itís nothing like school, in that you work to your own time-table, there is always a trainer on hand to give you the support you need. It has helped me so much and given me so much more confidence to apply for jobs now that I have all these invaluable skills behind me. Iíve no regrets about not going to university ñ Iím only 18, and by the time Iím 21 Iíll have three years experience and some money in my pocket, which is a lot more than I can say about some people my ageî.

Courses such as those offered by Pitman Training offer the perfect solution to school-leavers who want to get a full-time job. Michael Graham added: ìThe beauty of Pitman Training for school leavers is that you donít have to go back to the classroom to gain a certification or diploma that will really help land you the job you want. So many teenagers dismiss the idea of training because they hate the idea of ëgoing back to schoolí. The reason many students quit at 16 is because theyíre fed up of being treated like children and feel theyíve got better things to be doing with their time. With Pitman Training, you work towards your diploma at your own speed, as and when you find the time ñ you set your own goals and its up to you to fulfil them.î

For further information on courses available call 0800 220454 or visit www.pitman-training.com