It comes as new Office for National Statistics (ONS) data from the 2021 Census has revealed just 26.8 per cent of people in Blackburn with Darwen had a level 4 or higher qualification – such as a university degree, postgraduate qualification, higher national certificate, or diploma.

This is below the national average for people having this level of qualifications, which stands at 33.8 per cent.

Addressing the gap in the statistics, Cllr Julie Gunn, executive member for children, young people and educarion, said there could be “very many reasons for that.”

She said: “I suppose we have a young population who sometimes will go straight into the apprenticeship route if that’s absolutely the right thing for them.

“I think the important thing is young people make the right decision and going to university for a lot of people is the right decision, but for others it isn’t and the right thing to do is an apprenticeship route.

“That wouldn’t necessarily lead to a higher qualification but it would lead to fulfilling lives and employment opportunities.

“It’s always got to be the right thing for the young person.”

For students not wishing to attend university, apprenticeships are one of the alternatives presented when they have the decision to make, particularly for more vocational subjects like manufacturing and design, or for those who wish to learn a trade.

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