AN EAST Lancashire principal has hit out at the education system because it places less value on vocational qualifications.

Brendan Loughran, principal at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, also said schools are being encouraged to offer fewer traditional academic subjects.

His comments come after a new report revealed more than half of graduates in the UK work in jobs that do not require a degree.

This is leaving too many young people with an unnecessary burden of debt as they enter the workplace warned the report.

Mr Loughran said: “The general direction we have at the moment is that there is less value being placed in vocational education.

“That’s clear from the current government’s direction.

“I think also that unfortunately too many schools, if not all schools, are now being encouraged to offer a limited range of traditional academic qualifications.”

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development chief executive Peter Cheese says research supports the idea apprenticeships may be a better option for teenagers wafter GCSEs or A-levels.

“Efforts need to be redoubled to ensure young people who are making choices after receiving their GCSE and A-level results can access good quality careers information, advice and guidance so they can make better informed decisions,” he said.

“Our report highlights why young people should think carefully about opting for university when, for example, going into an apprenticeship at 16 or 18 could be a much better choice.

“The assumption we will transition to a more productive, higher value, higher skilled economy just by increasing the conveyor belt of graduates is flawed .”