BAE Systems has reported an increase in the number of young people capable of going to university who are instead choosing to take up apprenticeships.

Richard Hamer, director for early careers and graduate recruitment at BAE Systems, said that increased university tuition fees were “a huge disincentive” and could be to blame for the trend.

However, Hamer stressed the need for companies to look at developing their staff beyond the initial apprenticeship, and said that BAE Systems were investing in apprenticeship programmes which led on to higher education.