New Vocationalism At various times since WW II the issue of whether education is providing the right types of skills for the workplace has come under scrutiny

Many 16-year-olds were ill-equipped for work At higher educational level many were shunning areas like engineering and manufacturing Britain was seen to be at a disadvantage with other countries Vocational qualifications such as BTEC and City & Guilds were seen as lower status qualifications - and were more for post 16 students New Vocationalism This argument emerged again strongly in the 1980’s

New Vocationalism Many felt that education had been in the hands of liberalists for too long and the emphasis on academic qualifications was crippling the economy

New Vocationalism Vocational Education refers to industry-related studies at school and college Vocational training refers to training in work or work-like situations

GNVQs were introduced – now named Vocational A levels NVQs were introduced usually for those in work to attend on day release etc Curriculum 2000 brought the AS/A2 levels which are meant to be easily combined with vocational A levels New Vocationalism Examples of Vocational education

But most white MC kids follow traditional academic routes Vocational studies are dominated by WC and ethnic minorities New Vocationalism Examples of Vocational education

1983 YTS (Youth Training Scheme) to give school leavers some ‘ on the job training ’ 1990 YT (Youth Training) replaced YTS – more flexible New Deal – all under 25 ’ s receiving benefits were required to take up a subsidised job or voluntary work or full time education/training New Vocationalism Examples of Vocational Training

It provides cheap labour Keeps wages low for young workers Reduces politically embarrassing unemployment statistics Removes young from the streets and therefore reduces crime New Vocationalism Criticisms Of New Vocationalism Finn 1987

New Vocationalism Criticisms Of New Vocationalism Phil Cohen (1984) - the real purpose of New Vocationalism is social control. To create good behaviour and discipline rather than work. Young people who refuse to take part are ‘punished’ by having benefits withdrawn Rob Strathdee (2003) says it has continued to reproduce inequality by forcing WC and ethnic minority students onto courses that lead to low paid, low status jobs.

The sorts of skills taught are only useful for low pay insecure jobs. Employers abuse the system by treating it as a source of cheap labour Few schemes develop into full time jobs New Vocationalism Criticisms Of New Vocationalism Low Skills

NV just carries on the inequalities of the education system NV courses and schemes are heavily populated by WC kids and ethnic minorities Sex stereotyping is reinforced by NV schemes – girls are often channelled into retail and hairdressing New Vocationalism Criticisms Of New Vocationalism Inequalities continue

New Right Essay Plan Introduce basics of New Right belief in Market Forces - competition 1988 Education reform act introduced range of policies designed to improve standards:- Parental choice League Tables Ofsted Sats National Curriculum to govern what schools taught (standardised for more effective measurement of their efficiency) Vocationalism to provide skills For each policy provide evaluation and analysis by criticising the change and saying what implications it had for equality of opportunity in education.