Learning curve

I was dismayed, but not surprised, to read (11 March) that fewer than one in five parents believes apprenticeships have the same status as university ­education.

Too many parents over the years have been duped into thinking this, by both the educational establishment and successive governments, bodies which now say we can no longer afford to finance such education.

So why were so many young people pushed into it, when 
perhaps it was not the better path?

It is high time that apprenticeships became valued, and seen as being more suitable for a lot of our youngsters than going to university.

Taxpayers’ money needs to be directed towards employers who can offer placements in the skilled trades which are vital to our society.

ELIZABETH TOwns

Strathalmond Green

Edinburgh