Friday 05 Jul 2013 @ 10:08
WiredGov Newswire (news from other organisations)
WiredGov Newswire (news from other organisations)
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CBI responds to Tech Level proposals
The CBI has responded to proposals for a new Tech Level qualification, published by the Department for Education.
Neil Carberry, CBI Director of Employment and Skills, said:
“We’re facing a critical skills shortage in key industries, which risks holding back long-term recovery – that’s why we’ve been calling for tough new vocational qualifications to help bridge the gap.
“The litmus test is that Tech Levels offer the gold-standard training that employers want, while not being seen as second-class. Courses must have stretching subject knowledge; rigorous assessment; hard-nosed practical experience; and be a stepping stone to a great career.
“It's right that businesses will have a strong voice in Tech Levels’ design but they need to command respect across entire sectors. We must make sure the approval process can show broad industry backing, using subject panels and sector bodies - not just a handful of firms.
“The new system must be very clear about which provision is deemed ‘occupational’ and which is to be ‘applied general’. Perception is all with qualifications, so we must avoid a two-tier system, where one is seen as too narrow and the other as too broad. We want to see the more rigorous Tech-Level brand extended to both.”
Background
1.The CBI/Pearson Education & Skills survey was published last month it found:
• 39% of employers are struggling to recruit workers with the advanced, technical STEM skills they need – with 41% saying shortages will persist for the next three years
• almost half lack confidence in getting high-skilled workers in future overall – with more acute concerns in key sectors like manufacturing, construction and engineering
• with 48% of firms putting on basic remedial literacy, numeracy and technical training for employees – up from 42% last year.
• 55% of employers say school leavers lack the right work experience and key attributes that set them up for success, including self-management (54%); problem solving (41%); and attitude to work (35%) – stressing the need for school reform to produce people who are rounded and grounded, as well as stretched academically
• 32% and 31% of employers respectively are dissatisfied with some school and college leavers basic literacy and numeracy - 31% report young people lack the technical skills they need.
2. The CBI published a major report on reforming the education system in November 2012 - First Steps - A New Approach For Our Schools.
Among the recommendations, it called for:
• Strengthened A-Levels to be used alongside new gold standard vocational A-levels as the summative point of the education system at 18;
• Individual learning plans to 18 designed to deliver a high-quality education for every child;
• A move away from GCSEs to new assessments aimed at supporting student decision-making about subject choices and career paths. These could be undertaken at 14 or 16, including a mix of exams and regular assessment.
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