24 June 2009
The figures show an increase of 350,000 in the number of
vocational qualifications awarded, up 11 per cent on the previous
year. The findings are contained in a review of the vocational
qualifications landscape released by Edge today.
One of the main areas of growth is the number of under-16s gaining
vocational qualifications in school. Young people achieved 322,000
vocationally-related qualifications (VRQs) in schools last year:
the second year running the number of VRQs achieved by young people
has doubled. A further 200,000 vocational qualifications were
achieved by young people attending a local college or training
provider part-time.
The review also identified that vocational qualifications are
increasingly being recognised as university entry qualifications in
the UCAS points system. About 50 per cent of people with vocational
qualifications progress to higher education and six of the top ten
subject areas in higher education are vocationally-related
disciplines.
Andy Powell, Chief Executive of Edge said:
"In the space of just a year the vocational landscape has changed
quite dramatically. Young people across the country are being given
greater access than ever to vocational learning opportunities and
increased acceptance of VQs at the higher education level. There
are many paths to success and Edge is calling for a revolution in
education to reflect this. Vocational learning is no longer a
marginal topic or the option for other people's children - it is a
massive step forward."
Anthony McClaran, Chief Executive of UCAS said:
"UCAS fully supports more flexible paths into higher education and
supports universities and colleges in recognising learners'
achievements in vocational qualifications. Entry requirement
statements for HE courses increasingly make specific reference to
vocational qualifications. www.ucas.ac.uk
"UCAS is actively working with government, regulators and the
awarding bodies to increase the number of vocational qualifications
in the UCAS Tariff to demonstrate their value in preparing learners
for progression into higher education."
The review also reveals that vocational qualifications are
increasingly being adopted by employees and employers across a
range of industries in response to the recession. In many
industries a VQ is now essential in order to practise.
Other findings in the Review reveal:
- Well over half (57 per cent) of all NVQ/SVQ awards were
achieved by people over 25, up two per cent on the previous year.
Over a quarter (26 per cent) were achieved by people over 40,
reflecting their use in developing workforce skills.
- The biggest areas of NVQ and VRQ awards in 2007 were health,
public services and care, retail and commercial enterprise, ICT,
business administration & law and leisure, travel and
tourism.
- Some VQs are proving to be particularly attractive to employers
seeking to improve business performance in a challenging economic
climate: one course which helps improve business productivity and
reduce waste has seen an increase in participants of 88 per cent on
the previous 12 months.
Andy Powell continued:
"At a time when we're fighting the effects of a world-wide
recession and talk around the country seems to be about whether the
UK will emerge strongly from the downturn, improving skills has to
be a top priority for all of us. However, in the midst of all this
doom and gloom, it is easy to overlook the strengths we have as a
nation, and easy to ignore the successes.
"The truth is that there is a lot for colleges, learning providers,
universities, schools and employers to be proud of - as this report
shows. VQ Day, 24th June, gives us the opportunity to celebrate
vocational qualifications taken by people of all ages, and at all
levels up to and beyond graduate standard."
For more information on VQ Day please contact Zoe Penn or Andy
Wray on 020 7419 6950 or email vqday@bbpr.com
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