What is the future for vocational education?

David HarbourneDirector of Policy and Research, Edge

Foundationdharbourne@edge.co.uk

The Edge Foundation

A charity dedicated to

raising the status of practical and

vocational education:

www.edge.co.uk

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Newcastle UTC will specialise in Engineering, Information Technology and Science.

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are woven into the fabric of a city with a long and proud heritage of complex industrial engineering, from shipbuilding and railways to defence industries to a present day position in the vanguard of scientific development.

SponsorsNewcastle College CorporationNewcastle UniversityCentre for Life

Local PartnersNewcastle International AirportProctor & GambleNorthumbria WaterSMD LTDFleet FactorsBritish Engines LtdHadrian EngineeringCAR-O-LINEROnyx

Key Stage 4 vocational qualifications

2004• Applied GCSEs:

113,000• GNVQs: 117,000• VRQs: 13,000• Total: 243,000

2010• VRQs: 587,000• NVQs: 9,600• Diplomas: 10,500

(2011)• Total: 607,100

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VRQ: Vocationally-Related QualificationNVQ: National Vocational QualificationA few applied GCSEs were taken in 2010 … but not many (eg engineering: 1,850)

GCSE entries (2011): 5,152,000

The Wolf Report

“Perverse incentives created by the current system have encouraged the teaching of qualifications which attract the most points in the performance tables – not the qualifications that will support young people to progress.”

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Wolf Report: government response

• Schools can offer any qualification they like

• Only “high quality” qualifications will count in performance tables

• End of “equivalence”: one VQ = one GCSE• A maximum of two VQs per pupil will

count in performance tables

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What does “high quality” mean?

Qualifications that will feature in the Key Stage 4 performance tables should –• allow for progression to a broad range

of qualifications post 16• be at least the size of a GCSE• have a substantial amount of external

assessment, including synoptic assessment

• be graded• have a proven track record

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Post-16 study programmes

Programmes should include –• at least one qualification of substantial size

and challenge• non-qualifications activity such as tutorial time• internships where appropriate• English and maths for all those who do not

have the GCSE at C or aboveStudy programmes should not focus solely on one occupational area: they should not narrow a young person's options in terms of future learning or employment.

Work-related learning

• Proposal is that WRL should cease to be part of the statutory KS4 curriculum

• Schools will be free to offer KS4 WRL (including work experience) if they choose

• Emphasis on longer placements/internships for post-16 students

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What happens to people who get vocational

qualifications?

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Where are they now?

Lee Smith

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Where are they now?

Suzie Godfrey

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Where are they now?

Mark Wright

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Jamie Fineran

Plastering and Drywall Systems, Worldskills 2011 – Medallion for Excellence

And don’t forget …

• There’s a shortage of graduate-level jobs

• There’s a shortage of people with intermediate (technician) level skills

• The baby boomers are starting to retire.• Who’s going to service your boiler in ten

years’ time?

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