Restoring the post-16 balance: are schools putting university over vocational options?

This summer, Enginuity released the latest edition of our Vocational Attitudes Survey. The 2026 report is the third time we’ve heard the views of 1,000 parents and young people (aged 11-18) across the UK, on education and career routes.

Looking at the data, responses we collected indicate that schools and pupils’ perceptions of the various post-16 have taken some twists and turns over the last 24 months.

We asked pupils whether they agreed with this statement about signposting of their career options at school.

11a. At school, I feel that students are signposted towards university courses more than they are towards vocational routes. 

2024 Net agree	2025 Net agree	2026 Net agree
63.30%	68.80%	58.90%

24 - 25 % Difference	25 - 26% Difference
5.50%	-9.90%

In 2024 63% believed that schools placed more emphasis on promoting university than on vocational routes. In 2025 that figure increased to 68.8%, before dropping below the original figure to 58.9% during our most recent survey.

The decline from almost seven in ten to below six in ten appears a significant drop, and reflects the prevailing direction of the other views pupils gave us about their schools – as well as the views shared elsewhere.

Scotland backs more focus on vocational options

A poll conducted by YouGov on behalf of Colleges Scotland also highlights the importance of vocational education, and the desire to see it given equal importance as university. Another 58% agree that too much value is placed on academic education and not enough on vocational and technical pathways, while 55% say they think schools and careers advisers favour university over vocational options. Three quarters of YouGov respondents (77%) said they think not enough people are taking up apprenticeships.

These figures indicate that more people are concerned about the idea that young people are being shepherded towards a path that might not necessarily be the best fit for them.

A better balance in 2026?

Survey data from 2026 shows that students feel schools are striking a better balance between university and vocational routes than they were 12 months ago.

The Guardian reported that apprenticeships were down by a third in 2023-24, compared to 2017-18, at just under 180,000. The following year, enrolment rose by 2%, in keeping with our survey data that show pupils feel schools have been offering more support and information on vocational routes over the last year.

(Source: The Guardian)

One other statistic from the survey shows that awareness of vocational routes within schools has dropped even lower than 2024.

To the statement ‘I have noticed my school talking about wider options for students when it comes to vocational routes post exams’, positive responses went from 61.1% in 2024, up to 65.6% in 2025, and then down to 60.8% in 2026.

And the agreement that pupils’ schools talk to them about both university and vocational routes, to make them aware of all the choices available, has hovered at the two-thirds level, rising to 69.5% in 2025 before dipping to 67.6% this time.

So while the key message appears to be raising awareness of vocational options, other answers indicate an inconsistent approach.

Celebrating the possibilities of vocational achievement

Enginuity, together with EAL, launched Vocational Celebration Day, the first edition of which was held in August 2026. The main event held at Teagle Machinery in Truro, Cornwall, brought together key figures from employment and education to celebrate the learners who had earned their apprenticeships this year.

The Vocational Attitudes Survey 2026 edition was published hot on the heels of this event. Together these projects have shown us that learners have the appetite to achieve in the vocational field, and what an incredible role schools can play in providing the support they need to get there.

As we look to continue giving vocational study and university an equal footing in post-16 options, we invite schools and colleges to help us strike the right balance.

Download the 2026 Vocational Attitudes Survey report