14-19 reforms must address the gulf in credibility between vocational and academic qualifications

Employers will not welcome a ícherry-pickingí approach from the Government when it responds to Mike Tomlinsonís review of 14-19 education, and will want to see a system that provides sufficient integration of academic and vocational qualifications, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Commenting in advance of the publication of the Government white paper on 14-19 education due tomorrow (Thursday), Victoria Gill, Adviser on learning training and development at the CIPD, said:

The Government should take care not to cherry-pick elements of Mike Tomlinsonís report in order to try and satisfy everyone.

We would support the incorporation of A-levels / GCSEs within a new diploma, so that the qualifications that employers are familiar with are not lost altogether. However, if they are not incorporated in some way, we are concerned that vocational studies will continue to struggle to gain the credibility with employers that is needed. Any solution that steers clear of integration for fear of upsetting the traditional education lobby is likely to make the split between academic and vocational qualifications both more clearly defined and entrenched.

When the Government unveil the new white paper tomorrow, we hope to see a system that allows flexibility and is focused on the needs of the learners. Learners must be allowed to combine vocational and academic studies and the diploma shouldnít be seen as second class to A-levels/GCSEs.

Employers would welcome ífunctionalí assessments of literacy and numeracy for all students. They will also want to be extensively involved in the development of work-based studies for 14-19 year olds.