VOCATIONAL PATHWAYS VOCATIONAL PATHWAYS

Sally Wild, Aimhigher Project Officer

Vocational Pathways Strand

Base: Cornwall College Camborne

The ongoing dilemma of

‘vocational’ vs. ‘academic’:• VOCATIONALISM: A quest for greater

labour market relevance for education: for better articulation between the content of schooling and the application of acquired skills, attitudes and knowledge in the world of work’ Lauglo and Lillis 1988

VOCATIONAL PATHWAYS VOCATIONAL PATHWAYS

DIPLOMA

CERTIFICATE

AWARD

Elephant in the room…Elephant in the room…

Stages in the Decision Making Stages in the Decision Making JourneyJourney

• Non-academic route learners – choices made at 14 more relevant as their goals may be closer

• Year 9 – need for myth busting re apprenticeships (i.e. unpaid, only for males etc)

• Year 11 – November to February before/after work experience

• During Level 3 course – progression to HE or continue in job (AA)/find a job?

• Foundation degree – move to do top up? Can I cope with level? Professional status?

Post-16 RoutesPost-16 Routes

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L Actual Vocational Progression to HE

Actual Vocational Progression to HE

Options young people least knowledgeable about: vocational training and apprenticeships (42% claim to ‘know a lot’ about both

routes).

Percentage of A Level and Vocational Learners in England progressing to HE

•90% of A level learners progress to higher education•41% of BTEC learners •4% of Advanced Apprentices

From 2006, Adrian Anderson, Chief Executive of UVAC

WORK BASED LEARNING WORK BASED LEARNING ROUTEROUTE

Key Features of Apprenticeship:• Apprentices earn a wage• Apprentices gain recognisable transferable

qualifications• Apprentices gain new knowledge and

experience in the work place• Apprentices develop key skills

ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships

• National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at either Level 2 (= 5 GCSEs A*-C) or 3 (= 2 A levels)

• Key skills

• Technical Certificate: i.e.BTEC National Diploma or City and Guilds award

• Other qualifications / requirements as required by the occupational sector

• Progression to HE possible – no mention

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Principal Learning

Generic Learning Additional Specialist Learning

Equivalent to

Main subject e.g. engineering

Project Functional Skills

Work experience

Optional courses agreed with teacher

Foundation Diploma

Practical assessments + 1 exam

Project ICT/Maths/English Level 1

Minimum 10 days

Choose from a range of qualifications including:•BTECS•GCSEs•A levels

5 x GCSEs, Grade D-G

Higher Diploma

Practical assessments + 1 exam

Project ICT/Maths/English Level 2

Minimum 10 days

7 x GCSEs, Grade A*-C

Advanced Diploma

Practical assessments + 2 or 3 exams

Extended Project

ICT/Maths/English Level 3

Minimum 10 days

3.5 A levels

ADVANCED LEVEL DIPLOMAADVANCED LEVEL DIPLOMADiploma in Engineering• Diploma in Engineering Advanced Level (Level 3)• This is a two year, full-time course based at Truro College. The

course covers 9 units:• Investigating Engineering Businesses and the Environment.

In addition you will complete:• Additional and Specialist Learning. For students wishing to progress to

study Engineering at university this should include A level Mathematics. • An extended project.

• Work experience.

• Functional skills in literacy, numeracy and ICT.

• Assessment:

• The course is assessed through a mixture of formal written examinations and detailed written portfolio work.

DiDiploma in Engineering:ploma in Engineering:Advanced LevelAdvanced Level

• The course includes work experience, visits to engineering works and projects at specialist locations

• Links with employers• The course includes work experience, visits to

engineering works and projects at specialist locations.• Entry Requirements:• 5 GCSE subjects grade A*-C including English and

Maths.

Progression:• This course leads to employment or university

programmes

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Routes to university - maths for an engineering degree

• A level maths: 1/3 x 2 years @ 5 days • GCSEs A level maths

• School higher education• GCSEs Diploma• National Diploma: 1/8 x 2 years @ 2 days a week• New Diploma: 1/6 of A level at best?

FOUNDATION PATHWAYS in Technology at Plymouth – Year 0 of the BEng and BSc courses: for applicants without the specific A-level qualification pre-requisites. (4 GCSEs + 1 6-unit award)

Professional StatusProfessional Status

• Engineering Technician: BTEC National Certificate or Diploma. Training and work experience

• Incorporated Engineer: Degree of BTEC HNC or HND

• Chartered Engineer: Honours degree (Fd + top up). Look for BSc or BEng or MEng accredited with Chartered status.

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I want to be an electrician…

Traditionally, going to university was about

learning, utility and virtue. As the cost of

higher education is increasing, and falling

more heavily on the learner, students are

going to think much more rigorously about

what kind of returns they are going to get…’The Sunday Times magazine, Nice Little Earners 2009

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