School leaver programmes are just as viable a career route as university, according to a survey of career advisers by professional services firm PwC.

Last week, PwC polled career advisers that attended its careers day for secondary school careers advisers. The poll shows 100% believe A-level entry schemes that offer the chance to train for a professional qualification are just as valid as going to university to get a degree, although just 10% think employers are doing enough to help students make informed decisions and 90% are more actively promoting career options that don’t involve going to university.

Richard Irwin, PwC head of student recruitment, says: “As students are making choices about their future we recognise that university may not be the right solution for everyone. We want to lead the way in helping students make informed decisions about their future and we’re working with students, careers advisers, universities and government to make that happen.

“Any employer that wants to ensure they’re recruiting the best student talent needs to have a range of choices available. For us, that means continuing with the great investment in graduate recruitment but also offering a compelling proposition for those students who want to join us straight from school or through our partnership degree programme.”

PwC is running a series of employability focused ’Insight Days’ for secondary school students throughout the UK.