When exam results arrive, it can feel like your entire future hangs in the balance. But whether you’re celebrating your grades or facing unexpected challenges, results day is just the start of the journey.
CT Skills, one of the UK’s leading apprenticeship and training providers, has been helping young people take their next steps since 2001. Based in Nottingham and working in partnership with the Department for Education, the organisation supports over 1,500 learners and works with more than 300 employers across the country. Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, CT Skills has seen first-hand how apprenticeships can transform lives, offering practical skills, confidence, and long-term career opportunities.
We spoke with CT Skills CEO, Alex Ford, to explore the options for students after results day and how apprenticeships could be the right choice for many.
What are the main options for students after GCSE or A Level results?
Alex explains that most young people face three choices: continue in full-time education, start work, or begin an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships combine study with employment, allowing learners to earn while gaining a recognised qualification and real workplace experience. “For many, this provides a more practical and rewarding route into a career than continuing in the classroom alone,” he says.
What if students don’t get the grades they hoped for?
Not everyone achieves the results they expect, but Alex believes apprenticeships provide a valuable alternative. “They focus less on exam grades and more on developing skills and confidence in the workplace,” he explains. Entry-level programmes give learners the chance to build up qualifications step by step.
At CT Skills, learners like Elli Kirk and Lola Ruko have progressed from Level 2 to Level 3 qualifications in childcare, growing into confident practitioners and leaders. Meanwhile, former university student Ben Botting changed direction and joined the Professional Squash Association as an apprentice, completing his accounting qualification and securing a permanent role in international finance.
What are the biggest misconceptions about apprenticeships?
“Many people think apprenticeships are only for trades like construction or hairdressing,” Alex says. “In reality, they’re available in sectors such as business, digital, finance, and healthcare.” He adds that apprenticeships don’t limit future options: many lead to higher qualifications, including degree apprenticeships.
How can parents and teachers support young people?
Alex emphasises the importance of keeping an open mind. Parents and teachers should encourage exploration of all options and point young people towards resources like The Apprenticeship Guide or local training providers such as CT Skills. “Above all, listening to young people’s interests and strengths helps them make confident choices,” he notes.
Which industries offer the strongest apprenticeship opportunities right now?
CT Skills is seeing high demand across early years education, health and social care, business administration, and digital services. These industries not only offer entry-level roles but also strong progression routes for long-term careers.
What advice would you give to students deciding between education and an apprenticeship?
“There isn’t a ‘better’ option,” Alex explains. “It depends on how you learn best and what motivates you.” For those who enjoy academic study, full-time education may be right. But for students who prefer hands-on learning and want to earn while they train, an apprenticeship can be a better fit.
Apprenticeships are already helping thousands of young people build confidence, skills, and careers. As Alex sums up, they are not just an alternative to university—they’re a respected and powerful pathway that supports both learners and the UK’s future workforce.
To find out more, visit www.ctskills.co.uk.
