More People Should Do Apprenticeships
A Durham teenager who dropped out of college to start an apprenticeship says more young people should do the same.
Macauley Underwood, from Fishburn, initally went to college to study motor sport, but quickly realised his job prospects weren't very promising.
After some deliberation, and with help from his dad, Macauley started an apprenticeship at storage container company Mobile Mini, based in Stockton. Nine months later and the 18-year old has already been promoted, handling some of the companies most important clients.
Today, students across the country received their GCSE results and Macauley urges them to think properly about whether A-Levels and university is the right path for them.
He said:* *
"I went straight in there feet first, not thinking about my options and realised it would lead me to university, something that I didn't want to do.
You can do apprenticeships in anything, you gain a lot more experience with an apprenticeship at a workplace than you would at college.
It's totally different to college because I'm in the real life situation, rather than college where it's just textbooks and exams."
Director of Sales, Frances New, who's been impressed with the company's new apprentice, says it can be great for a business.
“Macauley applied for the job and I was happy to appoint him.
This decision was based not on age or experience, but on the ability, work ethic and potential that Macauley has shown since joining Mobile Mini.
We value the opportunity to recruit apprentices for training and development as it has such a positive impact on our day-to-day business.”