More learners than ever are achieving Level 3 vocational qualifications, while the number of learners taking A Levels has fallen.
The number of learners earning Level 3 vocational qualifications by the age of 19 rose by 0.8% in 2015 to 18.4%, representing an increase of more than 15% over the previous 10 years. In contrast, the number of learners studying A Levels has fallen by 0.3%; this is the first time the number has fallen since 2008.
English and maths skills also look to be improving, as 70% of learners achieved a Level 2 English and maths qualification by age 19, compared with 67.8% in 2014. Furthermore, the number of learners who achieved a Level 2 qualification in English and maths between the ages of 16 and 19 rose from 16.9% to 22.3%.
A Department of Education (DfE) spokesperson said: “We are clear that vocational and academic qualifications are equally important, but serve different educational purposes. We are reforming AS and A levels to be robust and rigorous, to match the best education systems in the world and to keep pace with universities’ and employers’ demands. Our reforms also incentivise the take-up of those 16-19 vocational qualifications that are of high value and support progression to further study or a good job.
“It is important that schools and colleges provide students with high quality advice about their qualification choices, including which qualifications will support their future education and career aspirations.”
David Corke, Director of Education and Skills Policy at the Association of Colleges (AoC) commented: “The figures show that young people studying academic and vocational qualifications at Level 3 are maintaining a good level of attainment. This demonstrates not only the hard work of the students but also the quality of colleges’ teaching.”
We’re pleased to see an increase in the number of learners undertaking and achieving vocational qualifications. We hope this is down to a better awareness of vocational routes through education into the world of work. Studies have shown that university is still the path most learners are encouraged to go down, but these results indicate learners may now be more informed about their post-school choices.
It’s also reassuring to see that English and maths attainment is on the rise. Mark Dawe, incoming Chief Executive of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) believes this is due to learners being placed on the appropriate programmes, and “in particular functional skills [being] at the core of work based learning provision.”
We hope that going forward, the government sees this increase in vocational achievement as a positive, and continues to allow learners easy access to vocational qualifications. Many in the sector have expressed concerns about the EBacc bringing a more academic focus back into schools, but we mustn’t let vocational qualifications fall by the wayside.
