E.ON degree apprenticeship demand triples as school leavers shift away from university

E.ON UK has seen applications per role for its degree apprenticeships treble in the past three years, with around 165 applicants for every role in 2026 compared with 45 per role in 2023. 

Demand for alternatives to traditional higher education increased, as research commissioned by the energy supplier found more school leavers are considering paid, workplace-based pathways into skilled careers.

Among Britain’s 16 to 18-year-olds, 68% said apprenticeships help young people gain workplace skills faster than university. 

67% said student debt was a key factor in their decision-making. 

36% of teenagers said artificial intelligence (AI) has encouraged them to explore careers less likely to be automated, while 30% said it had made them reconsider careers that could be replaced by automation.

57% of teenagers believe green jobs are of higher value than traditional roles. 

45% said they would consider starting a green job now instead of following a traditional university route. 

However, 44% said they lack clarity on green career routes, while 28% said their school or college does not do enough to explain those pathways.