More great news for young people as the Government announces the introduction of the Technical Baccalaureate, a high-quality vocational education on a par with the A-levels.
For too long now this country has been lacking a credible alternative to academic routes in schools and colleges. The recent Wolf Review commissioned by this Government found that ‘at least 350,000 young people in a given 16-19 year old cohort are poorly serviced by current arrangements. Their programmes and experiences fail to promote progression into either stable, paid employment or higher level education and training in a consistent or an effective way’.
I have come across plenty of bright young people in Bournemouth East who want to go into technically skilled jobs and work hard but there is very little available to them. The new TechBacc is aimed directly at these youngsters.
What sort of courses will be available?
The occupations most suited to young people achieving the TechBacc would be those requiring significant theory and knowledge; STEM technicians (eg. laboratory technicians, IT technicians, various engineering technician roles, construction professionals); Service technicians (retail and hospitality management, personal services, junior accounting positions); or Creative technicians (digital media, other media, creative industries, sport industry, material/textiles, design).
What will it include?
3 key elements: a rigorous vocational qualification, a core maths qualification and an extended project to text literacy skills.
When can I start?
TechBacc courses will begin in September 2014 and will then be reported for the first time in the college and school sixth-form performance tables in January 2017.
What will this achieve?
The TechBacc will not only boost opportunities for young people seeking qualifications, it will ensure they have the first-class technical ability employers want, whilst giving Britain a skilled and highly trained workforce.