What is the future for vocational education? David Harbourne Director of Policy and Research, Edge Foundation

The Edge Foundation A charity dedicated to raising the status of practical and vocational education:

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4 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. Sponsors Newcastle College Corporation Newcastle University Centre for Life Local Partners Newcastle International Airport Proctor & Gamble Northumbria Water SMD LTD Fleet Factors British Engines Ltd Hadrian Engineering CAR-O-LINER Onyx

Key Stage 4 vocational qualifications 2004 Applied GCSEs: 113,000 GNVQs: 117,000 VRQs: 13,000 Total: 243, VRQs: 587,000 NVQs: 9,600 Diplomas: 10,500 (2011) Total: 607,100 5 VRQ: Vocationally-Related Qualification NVQ: National Vocational Qualification A 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.” 6

7 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

8 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

9 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 above Study 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 10

What happens to people who get vocational qualifications? 11

12 Where are they now? Lee Smith

13 Where are they now? Suzie Godfrey

14 Where are they now? Mark Wright

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16 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? 17

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