I chose an 18-month apprenticeship over going to college. I'll finish debt-free with a guaranteed job lined up — I have no regrets.

• Lewis Potts, 20, chose to forgo university to start an apprenticeship straight out of high school.
• Attending university would financially cripple Potts and his family.

At 18, I was finishing my level-three media-production qualification — similar to a high-school diploma — at Ashton College in Manchester.

The school had drilled into us that university was the straight-and-narrow path we should plan to take. I was planning to go to university, hoping to get a business-management degree.

I'd have to work day and night to afford university

During my second year at college, I was browsing the UCAS website — a search portal for universities in the UK — looking at my options.

There is a section where you can enter your details to figure out how much student financing you'd be eligible for and how much university would cost you in the long run.

I worked out that I'd have to work every single night and weekend to survive.

My parents told me they would work hard to support me if I wanted to go to university. But I didn't want to put that kind of pressure on my family, and I wanted to be independent.

That was the moment I thought I needed to start looking at other options like apprenticeship programs.

Apprenticeships offer starting salaries of nearly $25,000 while getting a qualification

The college wasn't supportive when it came to looking for apprenticeships — they wanted us to go the university route.

I did my own research and found out what was being offered by different companies.

Virgin Media O2 was advertising project-management apprenticeships on LinkedIn. The apprenticeship was 18 months and offered a competitive starting wage of £20,000, or about $24,300.

After completing the apprenticeship, I'd receive a level-four project-management qualification — the equivalent of completing the first year of an undergraduate degree.

To apply, I needed a passing grade in five GCSEs, including math and English, which I had. After that, the application process was a straightforward job application. I was accepted and started working in July 2022.

I haven't once regretted the decision

Even though I was living comfortably on £20,000 a year, at the end of my first year, my salary increased to £23,000. I'll be making this amount until I complete the 18-month program.

The company also gave support totaling £1,400 between September 2021 and June 2023 to everyone earning less than £35,000. This was in response to the UK's cost-of-living crisis. When they made the announcement, I knew I was working for a supportive employer.

I lived with my parents for the first eight months of the apprenticeship. My partner and I moved into a rented house in Glossop in March 2023 and split the bills.

Between the two of us, we easily pay for our £525 monthly rent and utilities like gas, electricity, internet, and food. Though I have to pay for my mobile phone, Virgin Media pays for all my data.

I don't feel like I'm missing out on the university experience

I've got friends who are or have been in university, and I feel I'm in a better position than them.

I'm not in thousands of pounds in debt and I've got my own place, whereas a lot of them are still living with their mums and dads. Quite a number of them have dropped out of university because it wasn't financially feasible. I wasn't interested in the university nightlife scene, so didn't feel I was missing out on this.

If I had wanted to go into a field that needed a degree, I would be at a disadvantage. But for project management, the experience and qualification I'm getting are what's essential.

I can eat out, book holidays, and save money for a house

I don't feel at all restricted when it comes to things like eating out or taking holidays.

Each month, I've put between £100 and £200 in savings, with the goal of being able to get a mortgage by the time I'm in my mid-20s.

Along with all the financial benefits of the job, I'll also have a qualification at the end of the apprenticeship. I'm given one day a week to work on my coursework in the office or at home.

After one year working for Virgin, I can honestly say I love my job

I help manage network builders and contractors, ensuring different teams have everything they need to succeed. I get up in the morning excited to come to work — I have great colleagues and learn new things every day.

In March 2024, I'll be finished with the apprenticeship, and as part of the program, I've been guaranteed a full-time job at the end. They might repurpose me into another department or relocate me, but I know I'll have employment.

From what I've seen, the company promotes career progression as well — they don't want to restrict their employees.

The decision to do the apprenticeship rather than university was better for me. I'll have no student debt, a great qualification, and lots of experience. No regrets.