This blog was kindly authored by Kamila Sitwell, mother of two teenage sons.

When my eldest son began applying for degree apprenticeships, I thought he was exactly the kind of young person the degree apprenticeship system said it wanted.

He was 17, predicted A*, A*, A at A level in Economics, Business and Geography and clear that he wanted to enter the built environment through a degree apprenticeship in Quantity Surveying.

By December 2024, he had applied for more than 20 degree apprenticeships. He exceeded the academic requirements. He had some work experience and a genuine interest in the industry.