University isn’t for everyone; CIM advises school leavers to consider all options

Thursday, 20 September 2012 00:53 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The world’s leading professional body for marketers today urges school leavers to consider all their options when plotting their route to future employment.  As thousands of sixth-formers open their A-level results, The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is encouraging students to consider whether professional training, work-based learning, a degree or a combination of all three will serve them best.



The increase in university tuition fees coupled with the challenging graduate jobs market means many school leavers are considering alternative routes into employment.  Whichever route students choose, they need to think carefully about their future job prospects and whether the path they choose will make them attractive to future employers.

Evidence suggests that employers increasingly want to see proof of relevant skills and workplace experience – not just academic study.  Businesses want to employ people equipped with the right skills to do the job, and professional training and qualifications provide this assurance.    

CIM  wants students leaving school this autumn to strike up a relationship with the professional body in their chosen career, whether they choose to go to university or not.  Professional bodies can help at each stage of every career path, providing support, training and trusted professional qualifications which can be studied for while working or alongside a traditional academic qualification.

CIM Chief Executive Anne Godfrey said, “University is absolutely the right choice for many students who are receiving their A-level results today, but many students will also be thinking of other options – and there are more choices than ever before.  Vocational training and academic study are both valid choices, and it’s easier than ever to combine them.  We’ve partnered with 20 universities across the country to deliver our new Multi Award Pathway (MAP) program, which allows students to study for a professional qualification alongside their degree.”

“We want students to make the right decision for them.  With the cost of studying so high, it’s worth considering every option, and it’s worth knowing that professional bodies can be a great first port of call,” Brown added.

Collette Allen, who studied for a professional qualification alongside her degree, and who now works as a marketing consultant, said, “My professional qualification has been brought up as an advantage in a number of job interviews, and it’s an excellent tool to use to stand out in an extremely crowded job market.  The qualification also shows that I’m someone who is constantly seeking to develop my skills.”

COMMENTS