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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think higher education isn’t a right for everyone?

56 replies

UniqueOlivePombear · 03/12/2024 20:09

Not everyone has the aptitude for university - shouldn’t vocational training be encouraged instead of pushing for degrees?

OP posts:
ForPearlViper · 03/12/2024 20:53

I am always very suspicious of posters who start this sort of thread without expressing their own views.

I am concerned by the equating of higher education with university, OP don't you perceive post 18 vocation training to be another form of higher education?

When I left school, some people went to university, and a whole pile of people went off to trained by companies straight after A levels to be solicitors, accountants, etc, by their employers. That doesn't happen now.

Merrymess · 03/12/2024 20:28

I wish vocational training was seen as important as a university degree but it will always be seen as second best.

MiscellaneousSupportHuman · 03/12/2024 20:19

I think you're being unreasonable for setting up a strawman that anyone thinks everyone should go to university.

The 7% (post-War to Blair) was probably too low. The New Labour 50% may be too high (but aim off for nursing as a degree rather than bespoke qualification as it was before that).

But there has never been a time when the majority were expected to go to university. Though of course it's a persistent middle-class aspiration

Emotionalsupporthamster · 03/12/2024 20:18

UniqueOlivePombear · 03/12/2024 20:09

Not everyone has the aptitude for university - shouldn’t vocational training be encouraged instead of pushing for degrees?

Isn’t it?

ThinWomansBrain · 03/12/2024 20:16

And some people will prosper from starting work straight from school - depends on the individual. I feel so sorry for students that go through the school/university route without pausing to think about why, or what they really want to do.

Have frequently employed new graduates - the ones that have had a break and worked between school and university (proper jobs, not an extended gap year/holiday) have been far and away the best.

HyggeTygge · 03/12/2024 20:14

I've seen many encouraged into both or either or none.

A range of situations that can't be generalised into 'no-one is encouraged into vocational training and everyone is encouraged on to degrees'.

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