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

[UniqueOlivePombear]

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

Whatever happened to HNDs? I know they do still exist but you don't seem to hear about them much these days. It was seen as a very credible qualification when I was young, and something you could often do at a local FE college, sometimes alongside working, making it a good option for people who didn't want to or couldn't go away to University. Quite a lot of people I was at school with took this route and have gone on to have good careers in their chosen fields but I haven't heard of anyone doing one for absolutely ages.

I think this is key.

For instance the T levels, which are the big new Level 3 vocational qualification, are really struggling with the employer bit.

There must be a way through tax relief or something to motivate this.

There is plenty of tax relief and some organisations are very good at adapting their training to suit whatever the tax rules currently say then dropping it as soon as the tax rules change, which is pretty sad. It speaks volumes about how little these employers value/invest in their workers. Excellent practice exists but it is so hard to extend it beyond a small group of organisations.

Of course everyone doesn't have the same opportunities at school!! Or in life.

In theory but we live in a country where wealth = aptitude, so no. I agree that universities should chuck out thick rich kids, all russell group universities have them, but that's not the way the world works and they'd hardly take up plumbing. Of course for people genuinely not able or interested in academic subjects there should be alternative routes to training

Our youngest DD, academically the brightest of our DCs refused point blank to go to university.

She now out earns her siblings (both of whom have masters degrees) and owns her own property.