(Photograph) - Before taking up his place at Imperial College, London, 19-year-old Richard McDowell is taking a year out of education with the Year In Industry scheme, which provides work-experience placements in the engineering industry. As new Universities and Colleges Admissions Service figures this week show a decline in the new fee-paying student cohort opting for the traditional 'gap year', many, like McDowell, are opting for a year of work experience to enhance their job prospects. Photograph: Mike Benson