The articles below have contributed to our thinking.
'Tech Bacc' aims to boost status of vocational courses
Plans to raise the status of vocational courses in sixth forms and colleges have been announced.
A 'technical baccalaureate' is to be introduced showing young people's abilities in maths, literacy and a high level vocational qualification. Read more >> about 'Tech Bacc' aims to boost status of vocational courses
Share and share alike
City and Guilds Content Exchange - funded by Ufi - will share digital learning materials, saving time for tutors and students who spend hours looking for quality resources. Read more >> about Share and share alike
A million reasons to work together
As youth unemployment approaches one million, unionlearn discusses new research that looks at ways government, businesses and unions can work together to increase opportunities for training and apprenticeships for young people. Included is an innovative idea, currently used by DWP, that asks all of their contractors to 'ensure that 5% of their employees are on a formal apprenticeship scheme'. While not compulsory, this clause has been instrumental in one apprentice being taken on for every £2m of procurement spend. Read more >> about A million reasons to work together
Can vocational learning tackle youth unemployment?
Are British students are being held back and bogged down by a lack of high-caliber vocational courses and alternatives to traditional academic subjects in school? Ths short fact check report checks the assertion that there is a direct correlation between vocational practical learning and lower youth unemployment. Read more >> about Can vocational learning tackle youth unemployment?
Traineeships programme to boost youth skills announced
Plans to help young people in England improve their preparation for the world of work have been unveiled. The traineeships programme will offer work experience, lessons in English and maths, CV-writing tips and advice on how to prepare for an interview.
Read more >> about Traineeships programme to boost youth skills announced
1m apply for apprenticeships in 2012
1.13m applications were received via National Apprenticeship Service database, with only 106,000 vacancies advertised. Read more >> about 1m apply for apprenticeships in 2012
The issue of online assessment
How do you ensure that the individual taking an online exam is the right person? This article looks at how online exams can be reliably marked, the use of peer assessment and the possibilities for using technology to identify candidates. Read more >> about The issue of online assessment
New report challenges the assumption that all young people are digitally savvy
A new report commissioned by the Nominet Trust shows that 10% of all young people aged 17-23 rarely use the Internet, if at all. The report challenges the widely-held assumption that all young people are digitally literate. Read more >> about New report challenges the assumption that all young people are digitally savvy
Courses for job seekers not leading them into employment
Ofsted's latest report 'Skills for employment' found that courses for job seekers were not leading them into employment. Too many programmes focused on the achievement of qualifications and courses did not extend to training that lead to job specific skills. Read more >> about Courses for job seekers not leading them into employment
Rise in numbers of teenagers not in work or education
Annual figures for 2011 show that last year 8.1% of 16 to 18-year-olds were not in education, employment or training (Neet) - up from 7.5% in 2010. Children and Families Minister Tim Loughton said Neets figures had been "too high for too long" but the government was determined to tackle the problem by reforming education and the qualifications system. Read more >> about Rise in numbers of teenagers not in work or education