Schools across England are to be asked to promote apprenticeships as much as a university education, as the education secretary seeks to bring an end to the so called "outdated snobbery" that exists when it comes to getting people onto the former. 

Nicky Morgan, the Secretary of State for Education, said she will be bringing in new legislation that will ensure technical colleges and companies providing apprenticeships get into schools to be able to show pupils what they can offer in the same way that universities do at present. 

Ms Morgan said the new laws will mean putting an end to the problem of technical colleges and those offering apprenticeships being seen almost as "second best". There is a fear at the moment that some schools are failing to present technical and professional options on an equal footing to university.

The government believes that at present across England and Wales, schools will not present the option of an apprenticeship to any but the lowest achieving pupils, which creates something of a two-tier system for careers advice, in which apprenticeships are labelled as second best. 

Ms Morgan said: “As part of our commitment to extend opportunity to all young people, we want to level the playing field – making sure they are aware of all the options open to them and are able to make the right choice for them."

“For many young people going to university will be the right choice, and we are committed to continuing to expand access to higher education, but for other young people the technical education provided by apprenticeships will suit them better. 

“That’s why I’m determined to tackle the minority of schools that perpetuate an outdated snobbery towards apprenticeships by requiring those schools to give young people the chance to hear about the fantastic opportunities that apprenticeships and technical education offer.”