Transcript Education - Virgin Media

New Vocationalism
At various times since WW II
the issue of whether
education is providing the
right types of skills for the
workplace has come under
scrutiny
New Vocationalism
This argument emerged again strongly in the
1980’s
Many 16 year olds were ill equipped for work
At Higher educational level many were shunning
areas like engineering and manufacturing
Britain was seen to be at a disadvantage with
other countries
Vocational qualifications such as BTEC and City
& Guilds were seen as lower stautus
quailifications
- and were more for post 16 students
New Vocationalism
Many felt that education had
been in the hands of liberalists
for too long and the emphasis
on academic qualifications
was crippling the economy
New Vocationalism
Vocational Education refers to
industry related studies at school and
college
Vocational training refers to training
in work or work-like situations
New Vocationalism
Examples of Vocational education
GNVQ’s were introduced – now named
Vocational A levels
NVQ’s were introduced usually for those in
work to attend on day release etc
Curriculum 2000 brought the AS/A2 levels
which are meant to be easily combined with
vocational A levels
New Vocationalism
Examples of Vocational education
But most white MC kids follow traditional
academic routes
Vocational studies are dominated by WC
and ethnic minorities
New Vocationalism
Examples of Vocational Training
1983 YTS (Youth Training Scheme) to give
school leavers some ‘on the job training’
1990 YT (Youth Training) replaced YTS –more
flexible.
1997 New Deal – all under 25’s receiving
benefits were required to take up a
subsidised job
or voluntary work or full time education/training
New Vocationalism
Criticisms Of New Vocationalism
Finn 1987
It provides cheap labour
Keeps wages low for young workers
Reduces politically embarrassing
unemployment stats
Removes young from the streets and therefore
reduces crime
New Vocationalism
Criticisms Of New Vocationalism
Phil Cohen 1984 - the real purpose of New
Vocationalism is social control. To create good
behaviour and discipline rather than work. Young
people who refuse to take part are ‘punished’ by
having benefits withdrawn
Rob Strathdee (2003) says it has continued to reproduce
inequality by forcing wc and ethnic minority students onto
courses that lead to low paid, low staus jobs.
New Vocationalism
Criticisms Of New Vocationalism
Low Skills
The sorts of skills taught are only useful for
low pay insecure jobs.
Employers abuse the system by treating it as
a source of cheap labour
Few schemes develop into full time jobs
New Vocationalism
Criticisms Of New Vocationalism
Inequalities continue
NV just carries on the inequalities of the
education system
NV courses and schemes are heavily
populated by WC kids and ethnic minorities
Sex stereotyping is reinforced by NV schemes
– girls are often channelled into retail and
hairdressing