Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, which includes the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes brands, has reported significant social, economic and environmental contributions across the communities in which it builds over the course of the last year, including within the Grimsby area. In 2021, the homebuilder built 732 new homes across the region, supporting over 2,395 jobs through its own business and that of its suppliers and subcontractors in the process. This boost to the local housing market and construction industry was supported by an £9.9 million investment in physical infrastructure works such as environmental and highway improvements. As well as investing £2.1 million in community infrastructure such as local schools and transport, Barratt Developments Yorkshire East also made over £57,000 of charitable donations to support those in need during what was an especially challenging year for many. 2021 also saw the homebuilder reinforce its commitment to creating homes for nature as well as people. The business created 10 hectares of greenspace across the region, equivalent to 380 tennis courts, to help support wildlife on and around its sites. Its commitment to environmental sustainability also saw Barratt Developments recycle 97% of construction waste across its active developments. Daniel Smith, Managing Director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, said: “The statistics we’re able to report from last year demonstrate the emphasis we place on supporting the people, environment and economy across East Yorkshire. We were thrilled to end 2021 having made such a positive contribution to the region and are looking forward to building on these results in 2022.”

New research has revealed that not enough is being done to educate young people about alternatives to university – meaning billions could be being wasted on tuition fees each year as a result.

The nationally representative study of 2,000 people by AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) found that only 17% of people in Yorkshire said that they heard about alternatives to degrees, such as apprenticeships, while at school, and 60% think there should be more resources available to help people learn about them.

As a consequence, misconceptions and apprehensions about apprenticeships are commonplace: the research showed that 44% of people in Yorkshire believe that apprenticeships don’t pay enough, and 22% think that they are only available for manual labour jobs. Meanwhile, only 46% see them as a good alternative to university and just 38% are aware that apprenticeships enable people to earn whilst they learn.

At the same time, the research revealed that 42% of all people aged 21-45 believe their degree has not played an essential role in their careers to date, and 16% of all people with degrees wish that they had chosen a different route. This figure rose to 20% of those aged up to 24 years – the highest amongst any age group – suggesting that the 2012 tuition fee increase and ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on in-person teaching are contributing to growing regret around the decision to attend university.

With around 1.8 million undergraduate students in the UK, each paying up to £9,250 each year, this equates to more than £9.6bn being potentially wasted on degree courses annually.

When asked about the careers advice they received at school, 18–24-year-olds were 28% more likely than average to say that the advice was focused on careers after university, with 41% agreeing with this statement.

Interestingly, 18–24-year-olds were also the least likely to say that they had found it useful (28%). Those aged 65 and over were the most likely to say they had found it useful (42%), with the number steadily decreasing with age.

Throughout the early 2000s, careers advice in schools was delivered by the governmental information, advice, guidance and support service, Connexions. However, following public spending cuts under the Coalition Government, the careers element of the Connexions service was dismantled and devolved to individual schools in 2012, meaning there is currently no requirement for standardised careers advice for those aged 13-19.

Commenting on the research, Anthony Clarke, Business Development Manager, AAT, said: “Our research paints an interesting picture of the careers advice being given to young people. Although we might think that information is widely available about different options including apprenticeships, this data would suggest that many schools are still pushing students towards university, and perhaps even more so than in previous decades.

“While university is of course the right path for some people, with tuition fees now so high and the changing provision of university education such as shifts towards blended learning, it is certainly not a decision to be taken lightly. It’s important for everyone to know that alternative options for qualifications are available, and that student debt isn’t an inevitable accompaniment to successful professional careers.

“It’s often the case that apprentices find spending three years spent in the workplace, working with and learning from experienced professionals, coupled with the opportunity to gain professional qualifications, is of greater benefit to their future careers than going to university.

“Apprenticeships offer a fantastic way into many different careers and sectors, with the opportunity to earn while you learn. It’s a real shame that a fifth of people are left regretting their higher education choices when this could have potentially been avoided with access to better or more tailored careers advice.”

Former AAT apprentice, Ben Boutwood, said: “I left school when I was 18 in 2014, and almost felt like I had no direction. My school were pushing for people to go to university; however, I knew it wasn’t my calling. I was keen to get into work early, get a skill under my belt, and train alongside working so I could earn some money, and learn on-the-job. However, I didn’t know what that was at the time!

“I applied for a job as a trainee accountant with a local firm that was hiring a junior team member, and in September 2014 began full-time work. In September 2015, I enrolled in Level 3 AAT at a local college, completed Level 3 by the summer of 2016, and then by 2018 I was well on my way to completing my Level 4 AAT. I have now been an AAT full member (MAAT) for several years, and I’m still working in the same firm.

“Apprenticeships are a great way to start a career in finance, simply because the nature of the job is very hands-on. Although you can learn a lot by sitting in a classroom, nothing will equip you better, faster and more readily than experiencing it first-hand. So much of what I learned at college was directly reinforced by my day-to-day work, and vice versa.

“An apprenticeship appealed to me for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the financial burden of a student loan terrified me, so it helped that I could earn a salary and have my training paid for. Secondly, I really didn’t want to wait three or four years for my career to start; I left school and started my career in a few months.

“My advice would be not just to go to university because that is what your friends, family or school want you to do. Sit down, and seriously think about what is right for you, and only you. I was one of five people who didn’t go to university in my school year, and it was tough going against the grain, but I knew it wasn’t right for me.

“I would encourage anyone who is unsure about what to do to consider the AAT apprentice route. It worked wonders for me and I am very happy with my career path, progression, as well as all the invaluable skills I have picked up along the way.”

Wakefield is to become one of the world’s best-connected communities after CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform, announced a multi-million investment in its digital infrastructure. Work to bring full fibre connectivity within reach of almost every home and business in the city is underway as the full fibre infrastructure builder breaks ground on the £27m project. Construction on the citywide full fibre network has begun in Lupset and is being delivered by O’Connor Utilities (OCU) on behalf of CityFibre. The team will use a range of construction methods while working in close partnership with Wakefield Council and local communities to deliver a fast rollout while minimising potential disruption. Each area will usually take a few weeks to complete, however, construction teams will typically only be outside each home for two to three days and CityFibre will be in touch by mail ahead of any work starting. The overall project is expected to reach completion by 2024 and the first services will go live for people to take advantage of much sooner. As the network is completed in each neighbourhood, internet service providers (ISPs) will ‘light them up’ with some of the fastest and best value broadband packages available in the country. In Wakefield, services will be available from an increasing range of broadband providers. Across the UK, CityFibre is already working with launch partner Vodafone to deliver next generation broadband services, as well as TalkTalk, Zen and other providers. As City Manager, Steve Moore will lead the delivery of the Wakefield project. He will be responsible for ensuring works are delivered efficiently and considerately, while also acting as the main point of contact for all stakeholders. Steve said: “I’m immensely excited and proud to see work getting underway in Wakefield today. We’re already making tremendous progress across Yorkshire and this is the start of an exciting new chapter for the city and its digital ambitions. It’s important to remember that any short-term disruption will pay off tremendously in the long-term – once the network’s built, it will serve the community’s connectivity needs for decades to come.” Full fibre networks, unlike copper-based ‘fibre broadband’ services available today, use 100% fibre optic cables to carry data at light speed all the way from the home to the point of connection. This gives users speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps for upload and download (up to 1,000 Mbps), near limitless bandwidth and connectivity users can depend on. A full fibre connection also goes far beyond simply enabling access to the latest entertainment at lightning speed. As an essential digital utility, full fibre boosts households and businesses alike, with experts saying it will drive a range of economic benefits, such as making us more productive and innovative. Cllr Michelle Collins, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “Having a fast and reliable internet connection is vital for so many of our residents and local businesses, at a time when we are more reliant on the internet than ever before. “That’s why we’re extremely pleased to see this investment programme get underway in our district, which will in time enable all our communities to access the economic and social benefits that come with good internet access.” CityFibre is bringing full fibre connectivity within reach of up to 8 million homes in towns and cities across the UK as part of its up to £4 billion Gigabit City Investment Programme.