Apprenticeships and technical training could be the key to unlocking economic growth – and in many cases, they can even deliver higher earnings than a university degree.
That is the message from business group Logistics UK during National Apprenticeship Week, as it calls for a cultural shift in how Britain values skills and education.
Bethany Windsor, Head of Skills Policy at Logistics UK, said the UK must rebalance its approach to education by placing greater value on technical mastery alongside academic achievement.
Higher Earnings, Lower Debt
According to research from the Centre for Social Justice, higher level apprentices are earning an average of £37,300 five years after qualifying – almost £5,000 more than the £32,100 earned by the average graduate over the same period.
Unlike many university students, apprentices earn while they learn, gaining practical experience and sector-specific expertise without accumulating tuition fee debt.
“Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience, professional training and real career pathways – all while earning a salary,” said Windsor. “The financial rewards continue long after qualification.”
The findings challenge the assumption that a degree is always the most financially rewarding route into employment.
A System Out of Balance
Logistics UK points to what it describes as a significant mismatch between education and the labour market.
Almost one million 16-to-24-year-olds are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET), while 213,000 job vacancies are attributed to skills shortages.
At the same time, 37% of graduates are reportedly overqualified for their roles, and 41% are working outside their field of study.
Windsor argues this reflects an education system that has historically prioritised academic routes over technical pathways.
“It is a massive missed opportunity,” she said. “Young people are often encouraged towards degrees that may not align with their talents, interests or the needs of the economy. The UK needs both world-class universities and world-class technical training if it is to compete globally.”
Reforming the Levy
Logistics UK has backed the government’s plan to replace the Apprenticeship Levy with a new Growth and Skills Levy. The proposed reform would give employers greater flexibility, allowing up to 50% of levy funds to be used for high-quality, non-apprenticeship training that meets immediate workforce needs.
The organisation is urging Skills England to accelerate approval of sector-relevant courses so that training funding better reflects labour shortages across the economy.
It has also called for national careers awareness initiatives, such as Generation Logistics, to receive backing under the reformed levy to help attract new entrants into essential industries.
Investing in the Sector
As a government-approved apprenticeship provider, Logistics UK delivers industry-focused programmes designed by logistics professionals. Courses range from Level 2 Traffic Coordinators to Level 5 Operations Managers, aiming to strengthen capability and develop strategic leadership across the sector.
With more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and movement of goods across the UK, the logistics industry remains central to economic performance. As supply chains evolve through decarbonisation, digital transformation and global trade pressures, Windsor argues that skills policy must keep pace.
“The skills system must respond directly to the real demands of the economy,” she said. “Apprenticeships are not second best – they are essential to driving growth.”
Source: Centre for Social Justice, “Rewiring Education”, December 2025.