Young people in the North West left in the dark over career choices, survey finds

79% of young people in the North West insist there is not enough information given to them about apprenticeships when considering their career options, a new survey by BDO has found.

Of this group, 55% say more work needs to be done to connect young people with local businesses and apprenticeship providers, while 24% said that this lack of information means those that already know people in certain industries and businesses have an advantage.

The Young Minds survey of just over 1,000 young people across the UK was commissioned by accounting and advisory firm BDO to provide an indicative snapshot of the career aspirations and challenges of young people, canvassing the views of those between the ages of 18-25 years old.

The survey found that 50% of young people polled in the North West still believe that attending university will provide more career choices, yet 45% would also consider undertaking an apprenticeship after their degree to upskill, achieve a master's degree-level qualification or to train in a specialist area or profession.

Angela Cross, regional managing partner at BDO LLP in the North West, said:- "Apprenticeships play a vital role in building an inclusive and highly skilled workforce of tomorrow, yet many young people in the North West feel they are still being denied access. This consistent lack of information and education is creating a bottleneck in new talent. Greater connectivity between Government, businesses and the education system is needed to allow young people to make more informed decisions and to help match them with employers offering apprenticeship opportunities. We need to work together to ensure everyone has access to the information, training and high-quality employment they need to reach their potential."

Dani Trickett, an audit trainee at BDO in the North who joined the firm's apprenticeship programme in 2022, said:- "When I came across apprenticeships through my own research, my 6th form college was unaware of what the accountancy apprenticeship involved. There is definitely more advice given, and advertising about, universities and little about apprenticeships. The hard work that goes into an accountancy apprenticeship is worth the rewards; not just in studies and qualifications, but in the experiences and networking you get to take part in."

BDO has around 1,000 apprentices and offers various routes into the profession, including a 4-year school leaver apprenticeship, insight programmes specifically aimed at those from lower socio-economic backgrounds and summer internships – all geared towards developing professional skills and creating rewarding careers. To find out more about roles currently open to applications, visit Careers at BDO.

BDO is a founding and active member of Access Accountancy, a charitable body with a core purpose built around diversity and inclusion and the challenges those from lower socio-economic backgrounds face in accessing the profession. Visit About us | Access Accountancy.

SHOCKING new statistics by equine charity, The British Horse Society (BHS) have revealed that horses are still being injured on our roads at an alarming rate, following a 33% increase in horse related incidents across the North West in 2024.

In the region, 1 horse was sadly killed on the roads. This is the 1st fatality on North Western roads since 2020.

A total of 434 horse related incidents were recorded with the BHS last year in the North West, compared to 324 in 2023. Greater Manchester experienced the most incidents with 162. Comparatively, Cheshire had 143 incidents and Lancashire had 83 incidents.

These figures are a stark reminder that road incidents involving equestrians continue to persist. This is despite the changes implemented in the Highway Code in 2022, which set out clear guidance for passing equestrians safely.

Overall, 3,118 incidents were recorded via the BHS's Horse i app across the UK in 2024, with 81% of those occurring because a vehicle passed by too closely or too quickly.

Director of Safety at The British Horse Society, Alan Hiscox, stated:- "It is clear that a significant number of drivers are still unaware of the guidance in the Highway Code. As a motorist, you may not consider how passing a horse at great speed or too closely could affect you. Horses are naturally flight animals, and their instinctive response to danger is to react and move quickly away. Even the most experienced and well-trained horse can be startled by unexpected movements or loud noises, like a car passing at speeds in excess of 10 mph. The impact of a collision can not only cause the horse to be injured, it can also cause great injury to the rider or carriage driver, motorist and any passenger in the vehicle".

The BHS's ongoing Dead Slow road safety campaign continues to inform road users about the behavioural measures in place, along with the importance of driving carefully when passing and approaching horses.

Alan added:- "Too many horses' lives have been lost over the past decade. While we appreciate those who follow the guidance, there is still significant work to be done to ensure the safety of all road users. We will continue to promote our key Dead Slow messages, which align with the Highway Code guidelines, and critically, will continue to work closely with the equine community as well as key road safety stakeholders, to ensure all vulnerable road users are kept safe."

While informing and guiding road users about the Highway Code changes is a vital step, the BHS also works proactively with equestrians. Offering guidance and advice on how to ride on the roads, and how to stay safe, is crucial so that the UK's roads can be collaborative and safe for everyone involved.

To learn more about The British Horse Society's Dead Slow campaign and how you can help, visit:- BHS.Org.UK.

AN alarming increase in the number of young people distracted while driving has been reported by road campaigners. In a bid to combat the rising tide of mobile phone use behind the wheel, Liverpool City Council has launched a hard-hitting campaign aimed at young drivers.

The message is clear:- Driving demands 100% focus, and any distraction, especially from mobile phones, can have devastating consequences.

The campaign comes as alarming statistics reveal a surge in mobile phone use among young drivers. According to the RAC's 2024 Report on Motoring, a staggering 43% of young motorists admit to listening to voice notes while driving without hands-free technology, and 40% confess to recording messages. These figures starkly contrast with the overall driving population, where the rates are just 14% and 9%, respectively.

Merseyside Police enforced nearly 2,500 mobile phone offences across Merseyside in 2024 - up from just over 1,600 in 2023.

The consequences of getting caught using a handheld phone while driving are severe: 6 penalty points on your license and a £200 fine. If you get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your test, your licence will be revoked - which means you'll also have to apply and pay for a new provisional licence and pass both theory and practical parts of the driving or riding test again to get a full licence. You can also be taken to Court where you can:-

• Be banned from driving or motor cycle riding.
  
  

• Get a maximum fine of £1,000.