To mark National Apprenticeship Week, two North East school leavers share first-hand insight into why degree apprenticeships are fast becoming one of the most competitive and credible routes into top careers – combining paid work, university study and real-world experience from day one.
At 18, and just months after leaving school in Newcastle, Abdul-Samad Mohammad is spending his weekdays in Canary Wharf, working for global investment bank JP Morgan – gaining insight into financial markets that most students don’t encounter until after graduation.
He is one of a growing number of young people rethinking the idea that university is the only route to career success, having secured a coveted place on a degree apprenticeship while still in his final year at Dame Allan’s Schools.
As an investment operations apprentice on a four-year programme, Abdul-Samad, from Jesmond, balances paid work in trade reporting – supporting regulatory processes behind live market activity – with one day a week studying with the University of Exeter. On completion, he will graduate with a BSc (Hons) in Applied Finance, alongside Level 4 and Level 6 financial services apprenticeship qualifications and recognised industry credentials.
“From day one, you’re treated like a professional,” he says.
“You’re working on real processes that matter, and people rely on you to get them right. That responsibility forces you to step up very quickly – and that’s where the learning really happens.”
Rather than feeling peripheral, Abdul-Samad says apprentices are valued.
“Your voice has weight. You’re not seen as ‘just an apprentice’ – people genuinely value your input. That surprised me,” he adds.
Abdul-Samad, who achieved AAB at A level, admits he initially underestimated apprenticeships.
“I had this perception that apprenticeships were for people who couldn’t go to university. That was ignorance,” he says.
“It was through the guidance I received at school that I realised how competitive and respected degree apprenticeships actually are.”
He has joined OuterCircle, a support network that helps aspiring apprentices access opportunities and industry connections, as a regional ambassador. He was also recognised in the Future Makers of 2025, a national list celebrating young people helping to shape the future of work.
Fellow Dame Allan’s alumnus Finlay Forrest is forging his career through a degree apprenticeship in project management with Newcastle-based software consultancy Neptune North.
Finlay’s role sees him supporting live client projects day-to-day while, like Abdul-Samad, studying at the University of Exeter. By the end of the programme, he will gain a BSc (Hons) in Project Management, a Level 6 degree apprenticeship, plus professional qualifications including IPMA Level D and a CMI Level 5 Certificate in Project Management.
For Finlay, the appeal of an apprenticeship was immediate.
“I liked the idea of earning and learning from the start,” he explains.
“I’ll finish with a degree, no student debt and three years’ experience. In the current jobs market, that’s a massive advantage.”
He challenges the idea that apprentices miss out on student life.
“I go down to Exeter once a month and stay for a few days. I get the university experience – and I can afford to enjoy it because I’m earning. It genuinely feels like the best of both worlds.”
Both are quick to point out that degree apprenticeships are not an easy option.
“Some schemes are more competitive than Oxford or Cambridge,” Finlay says.
“You’ll get rejected – that’s part of it. You’ve got to be resilient and keep going until you find the right one.”
That competitiveness is reflected nationally. Apprenticeship starts in England rose to around 353,500 in 2024–25, with higher and degree-level apprenticeships accounting for around 17 per cent of all starts. Degree routes now span sectors including finance, engineering, technology, healthcare and business, and continue to grow year-on-year as employers invest in long-term talent pipelines.
At Dame Allan’s, careers provision has evolved to reflect those shifts. Bel Whitehouse, Head of Careers, says apprenticeships are now embedded as a core part of guidance.
“University remains a strong option for most students,” she says,
“but our responsibility is to ensure pupils understand all credible pathways. Degree apprenticeships now exist across virtually every sector, and many lead directly into highly skilled, well-paid careers.”
She adds:
“Hearing directly from recent leavers like Abdul-Samad and Finlay is incredibly powerful. They can talk honestly about the application process, the realities of balancing work and study, and the confidence that comes from being trusted in a professional environment at such a young age. That lived experience is invaluable.”
Both alumni have since returned to Dame Allan’s to speak with current sixth formers, and emphasise that mindset matters as much as grades.
“With an apprenticeship, you’re learning every day,” Abdul-Samad says.
“You’re expected to ask questions, speak up and take responsibility early. That builds confidence very quickly.”
Finlay agrees:
“You grow up fast, in a good way. You learn how to communicate, how to work with different people and how to manage yourself. Those skills come from being in the workplace – you can’t really replicate that in a lecture hall.”
For students considering their next steps, Abdul-Samad’s advice is simple:
“It’s four or five years of your life. Make sure it’s something you’re genuinely curious about.”
And Finlay adds:
“Don’t be put off by knock-backs. Apprenticeships are competitive because they’re good – but if you stick with it, the right opportunity will come.”
