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At NCFE, we know how valuable vocational education is to learners and that the benefits of further education should not be underestimated. So, we’re delighted that this has now been backed up with evidence that shows the financial benefits that Level 2 or below qualifications can bring. A recent study, led by Peter Urwin – professor of applied economics at the University of Westminster – commissioned by the 157 Group of colleges, and reported by the TES, suggested that low-level courses significantly boost income for learners who complete them.

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It was recently announced that most graduates are in non-graduate jobs, a statistic that has raised further awareness of the skills gap crisis the UK is facing. Many recent reports have backed this up; a Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) study showed the UK has the worst-equipped school leavers when it comes to essential employment skills, particularly in regards to careers in business.

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It’s a new academic year which marks a new start for many. But what about those learners who aren’t quite ready to take on an Apprenticeship or start work but need a little extra support to prepare them for their future? And what about the learners who are still a little lost as to which road to take? Traineeships are short periods of training and work experience designed for these learners. The flexibility of Traineeships offers employers the opportunity to help build a pool of high quality future recruits for their sector and they’re an ideal opportunity for young people, aged 16-24, who are motivated to get a job but lack the skills and experience that employers are looking for.

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As the new academic year begins, you’ll have a new influx of fresh-faced school leavers embarking on the next stage not only of their education, but also of their life. College is going to be completely new to these learners, so how can you support them in making the successful transition from school to Further Education? Whether your new learners are taking A Levels, a Traineeship, an Apprenticeship, or another vocational option, it’s important to understand what their aims and ambitions are. However, many young people are still confused about what they want to do after leaving education, and it’s vital they’re supported with making that choice throughout their education.

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Welcome back! I wanted to start this first newsletter of the year by recapping on the last academic year. Despite the mounting pressures on your Key Stage 4 curriculum and timetables, it is great to see so many of you continuing to offer a broad range of vocational qualifications in schools. Last year alone we saw over 10,000 pupils registered on our V Cert qualifications with thousands more registered on our broader range. This demonstrates the continued value in having subjects that appeal to different learning styles whilst providing hands on practical insight into subjects and topics.

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Today is the day that young people across the country have been waiting for, with a mix of excitement, curiosity and even fear: GCSE results day. So how are the results shaping up? A*-C pass grades are up to 69% from 68.8% in 2014, while learners receiving the top grade of A* has fallen marginally by 0.1%.

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It’s A Level results day and as we speak, thousands of young people around the UK are either celebrating top grades or commiserating over unexpected or disappointing results. This year, the proportion of top A Level grades has fallen marginally, with A* and A grades being awarded to 25.9% of entries, down from 26% last year. However, passes have risen by 0.1 percentage point in a year of “stable” results. Meanwhile, record numbers of young people have been accepted onto university courses according to Ucas.

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It’s that time when the academic school year begins to draw to a close – I’m sure you’re all looking forward to a well-earned break over the summer. However, the hiatus doesn’t need to mean a break from learning altogether and in fact provides a great opportunity to run short qualifications with relatively low Guided Learning Hours, which can help get your pupils ready for life and work and educate them on important Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) topics.

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Adult Learners’ Week 2015 began on Saturday, a week dedicated to celebrating the opportunities education can present to adults looking to upskill, further themselves in their career, or train in a completely new area. The government recently announced an imminent 24% cut to adult education funding for 2015-16; in an economy rife with spending cuts, adult education of often one of the first areas to experience harsh cuts. The Association of Colleges (AoC) has estimated this will result in the loss of a staggering 200,000 adult education places.

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Today (10 June) we’ll be celebrating the eighth annual VQ Day (Vocational Qualification Day), which highlights vocational achievement and the many benefits of practical and vocational learning. Here at NCFE we’re strong supporters of VQ Day, because it provides a platform to give vocational learning – which has long been a robust alternative option to traditional academia for many learners – the recognition it deserves in the education sector.

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NCFE is a national Awarding Organisation

Blog posts for tag:Vocational

Level 2 qualifications increase earnings

Tackling the skills gap

Supporting learners into work through Traineeships

Transitioning from school to FE

Long live vocational study

GCSE results day 2015

A-Level results day - what's next?

Looking forward to summer

Adult Learners' Week 2015

VQ Day 2015

Authors

Lindsay Plumpton

David Grailey

Andrew Gladstone-Heighton

Esme Winch

Michael Lemin

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Blog posts for tag:Vocational

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Authors

Lindsay Plumpton

David Grailey

Andrew Gladstone-Heighton

Esme Winch

Michael Lemin

Categories

Archive