Spring Conference 1 st April 2004 VOCATIONAL PATHWAYS TO HIGHER EDUCATION STRENGTHS OF VOCATIONAL LEARNERS Helen McLaren

Are we clear what we mean by VOCATIONAL LEARNING ?

Over-view of Vocational Qualifications Level 4Level 5Level 3Level 2Level 1Entry …some Basic Skills / support needs….. …some Basic Skills / support needs….. equivalent to GCSE level Equivalent to ‘A’ Level 1st stage HE Level Bachelors Degree Level Vocational qualifications are offered at levels 1 > 3…... …..by a range of Awarding Bodies….. …..across a range of curricula…….. …..to give ‘pathways’ into a range of vocational areas.

Level 4Level 5Level 3Level 2Level 1Entry Types of Vocational Qualifications NVQ...evidence competence in setting…. GNVQ AVCE...full time course work…. National Certificate National Diploma Technical Certificate 6 units 12 units 18 units = 1 ‘A’ level = 2 ‘A’ levels = 3 ‘A’ levels

Entry to Vocational Qualifications Level 3 Entry Criteria Direct Entry - 16 year olds 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above (usually includes Maths / English) Vocational Route Entry 16 / 19 year olds + Mature Returners to learning Relevant Level 2 qualification at Merit or Distinction level (Some courses require placement experience) Mature Entry  academic screening at L3 + one of the following  relevant C.V.  Access course at L2  Other relevant study / skills

Level 3 Vocational Qualifications National Certificate National Diploma Technical Certificate 6 units 12 units 18 units = 1 ‘A’ level = 2 ‘A’ levels = 3 ‘A’ levels Advanced Modern Apprenticeship = Tech. Cert. + Placement / Assessment for NVQ + Key Skills

Level 3 Vocational Programmes of Learning National Certificate 12 units= 2 ‘A’ levels National Diploma 18 units= 3 ‘A’ levels Other parts of theLearning Programme ( ADDITIONALITY ) KEY SKILLS - 2 of AON / Communication / ICT - at Level 2 / 3 GCSE ’C’+ gives exemption from End Test GCSE resit in Maths / English - if ‘D’ grade already gained Other relevant A/S level(s) in 1 year or over 18months / 2 years (or A/S > A2) Other relevant short courses,e.g. H&S Cert./Food Hygiene / 1st Aid / Moving & Handling / Bespoke Enrichment activitiesPLACEMENT

Strengths of Vocational Learners OrganisationLearner  Identified Vocational Routing  Early identification with / commitment to vocational routing  Focused, relevant curriculum content  Relevant knowledge base & understanding  Planned programme including additionality gives cohesive learning experience  ‘Packaged’ knowledge & skills mix  Placement – integral to learning programme – managed, monitored & assessed  Relevant, vocationally specific, evidenced competencies & sectoral awareness

More Strengths of Vocational Learners! Specialist language & Communication skills Positive action initiatives support under-represented groups feeding through into vocational areas e.g. training young men to be Early Years specialists

Vocational Learners Clear focus of learning Clear focus of learner ? Breadth of academic awareness ? Critical faculty

In our time a secret manifesto is being written. It’s language is a longing we see in one another’s eyes. It is the longing to know our authentic vocation in the world, to find the work and the way of being that belong to each of us…. I speak of the declaration of our right to self discovery. Theodore Roszak