New research reveals parents are more stressed out about their children's futures than the students themselves.

Four in 10 parents in the south east admit to being stressed out, with 78 per cent believing it will be harder for their children to find gainful employment than it was for them.

The survey by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) reveals a large contributor to parental stress is a lack of knowledge of different career paths, both vocational and academic, available for their child.

For example, more than half of parents surveyed were not aware of the opportunities apprenticeships hold.

They not only offer young people more than 200 different types of careers to choose from, but the ability to earn while they learn, so they can avoid accumulating student debt.

An Apprenticeship in Engineering Operations was the right choice for Ben Herbert, 19, from Chatham.

He attended Mid Kent College to do an NVQ Level 2 in Engineering. After finishing his NVQ, Ben went on to an apprenticeship working at P and J Dust Extraction.

He said: "I knew from early on I wanted to be an engineer. There are so many areas you can specialise in, so I concentrated on welding at college.

"I did an NVQ Level 2 City and Guilds in welding and that's what I do at work. I make ducting and extraction machines."

LSC Kent and Medway partnership director Malcolm Staunton said: "It's good to see the majority of young people are positive about the future and I am sure parents would be more optimistic if they knew more about the full range of vocational options available.

"In particular we want to highlight the great success of apprenticeships which can lead young people to very successful and satisfying careers."

According to a separate survey carried out by the LSC, more than a quarter of employers rated apprenticeships over any otherqualification.

For more information on placements vist the website apprenticeships.org.uk/list/ apprenticeshipsdirectory

Some useful websites for apprenticeships in:

  • Motoring

skillnet.org.uk

  • Catering

caterer.com

  • Telecommunications

1.orange.co.uk/jobs/young_people/

  • Sports management

ssda.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=2302

  • Construction

summitskills.org.uk/

  • Engineering

semta.org.uk/semta.nsf/?Open

  • Agriculture

lantra.co.uk/

  • Arts and entertainment

ccskills.org.uk/

  • Travel and tourism

people1st.co.uk

  • Health and social care

skillsforhealth.org.uk/