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As the 3 major political parties begin to set their sights on the General Election, which is now less than 6 months away, apprenticeships are becoming one of the hot topics of the election build-up. With the parties now jostling for pole position as their campaigns begin to build momentum, the subject of apprenticeships has cut through the noise and conflicting standpoints with a refreshing degree of consensus.

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Over the last few weeks there has been a number of news stories linked to vocational qualifications. Whether it’s been the growing recognition that vocational qualifications offer a valid alternative to GCSEs, or the increasing acceptance of a number of higher level vocational qualifications as valid entry into university. The debate goes on about the merit of both of these elements and within this is the long running discussion about careers advice and guidance within schools

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Following A Level results this year, we saw a record amount (over 500,000) of university places available despite the fact that the overall pass rate decreased for the first time in 30 years. It’s been suggested that universities were actively competing to attract students, as apprenticeships become a real option for young people in terms of an alternative pathway. However, it’s clear that young people are still not certain on the options available to them and have little clarity of their next steps. A piece of research conducted by Which? University revealed that more than half of students in England and Wales approached their A Level results with back-up plan if they failed to get the grades they needed to get to their university of choice.

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Last month, thousands of UK teens received their GCSE results. Pupils, parents and teachers interrupted their summer holidays and congregated at schools across the country to open that all-important envelope! Overall, the 2014 results show a 98.5% pass rate, down 0.3 percentage points (but with a rise in students receiving A*s). Significantly, the number of English entries dropped by more than 215,000 while the number of maths entries dropped by 76 per cent, from 170,357 down to 39,292.

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Vocational qualification courses cover a plethora of subjects and initiatives beyond just the headline grabbing performance point carrying ones. Just last month I read, with great interest, the latest news that MPs’ have launched an inquiry into the future of PSHE and Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) in schools. This MPs’ inquiry comes on the back of last year’s Ofsted report which found that 40% of the 50 schools visited didn’t offer a good enough standard of PSHE. The report, entitled ‘Not Yet Good Enough’ also found that half of secondary schools needed to improve SRE.

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There’s no doubt about it, the Health and Social Care sector is a growing industry, employing millions of front line staff delivering care to vulnerable people in society. But are these staff adequately trained and qualified to do the tasks that are expected of them? It’s a hotly debated topic which has caused controversy across the sector following the recent independent Cavendish review which has highlighted inconsistencies in training.

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Today is the 7th annual VQ day celebrating vocational achievement and the benefits of practical, technical and vocational learning. Vocational qualifications have never been more important to the economy and to individuals. They help to equip the trained, talented employees businesses are crying out for and ensure young people have the skills needed to succeed in education and work. The government is also investing in vocational routes and acknowledging their value. Vocational Qualifications are being recognised as they can really enhance a learners life and their chance of getting into work.

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In March this year it was announced that around 5,000 adult vocational courses would be cut in order to "simplify and streamline" the adult skills system in England. Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock also took to Twitter to announce that the Government will be binning ‘low-value’ courses such as self-tanning, balloon artistry and instructing pole fitness in order to focus on qualifications that employers value. Read my original statement on the subject.

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Sec Ed have reported this week that the narrow focus on academia promoted by performance measures and Government policy could be ‘actively harming’ young people’s health and wellbeing. The article calls for PSHE to be made a statutory subject and for “health education” to be integrated into the wider curriculum. The academic group argues that education policy is increasingly encouraging schools to maximise academic attainment at the cost of children’s wellbeing.

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With programmes of study now being developed and integrated into curriculum planning for next year, many of you are looking ahead at what substantial qualifications you can offer your learners. With this in mind, NCFE is dreaming green and has developed some substantial qualifications in Renewable Energy which are regulated and ready for delivery from September 2014. Designed to meet the funding requirements of the Study Programme, these new qualifications are a great addition to our existing 28 substantial qualifications ranging from Uniformed Services to Photography; Business and Sport.

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Blog posts for author:David Grailey

Political parties focus on Apprenticeships

Changing perceptions of vocational education

Vocational education a viable alternative to University

GCSE changes: What impact will this have?

The future of PSHE in schools

Upskilling the Health and Social Care sector

VQ Day 2014

Non-academic courses are still valuable to learners

Health education crucial to pupil progress

The future lies in Renewable Energy

Authors

Lindsay Plumpton

David Grailey

Andrew Gladstone-Heighton

Esme Winch

Michael Lemin

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Blog posts for author:David Grailey

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Authors

Lindsay Plumpton

David Grailey

Andrew Gladstone-Heighton

Esme Winch

Michael Lemin

Categories

Archive