Choices crucial for GCSE Students, says REC

Students receiving their GCSE results today have even more crucial choices to make than their A-level counterparts, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

With current skills shortages biting deeply into certain sectors of the UKís labour market, the REC, the trade association for the UKís private recruitment industry, says it is vital that GCSE students take time out to identify potential educational or vocational routes which can lead them to jobs in these specific areas.

The RECís monthly Report of Jobs continuously cites skills shortages as being the most significant problem for recruiters, reflecting tight candidate availability.

But with careful planning, Tom Hadley, the RECís Director of External Relations, says students can benefit in the long term by determining now how they can utilise their GCSE qualifications in order to pursue careers in those areas where there are acute shortages.

ìThis really is the most crucial stage in the education process as these students have to decide if they are going to pursue the A-level route, which usually leads to university, or opt for vocational qualifications within a particular career or profession.î

Only last week, the CBI expressed its concern at the dwindling numbers of students now studying physics and chemistry, which will result in a shortage of both scientists and engineers in the UK.

Hadley added: ìOur surveys have shown that both the construction and IT industries still need well-qualified people to fulfil the demand in the market. Part of their job and indeed ours at the REC is to help educate young people about where their own skills and abilities can be best harnessed to meet these needs.î