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The Government's determination to address the UK's lack of vocational skills was underlined at last week's Federation of Master Builders National Conference. Speaking at the conference Ivan Lewis MP, Minister for Young People and Learning outlined a range of proposals and initiatives aimed at improving vocational education and thereby helping the building industry address the severe skills shortages that it is facing.
For too long there has been a bias towards academic rather than vocational qualifications. This bias has been particularly detrimental to the building industry with the Federation of Master Builders calculating that it needs tens of thousands of new recruits if it is to begin to address the problem of skills shortages. Such shortages severely affects the ability of the industry to deliver the targets of improved performance, competitiveness and quality.
To address this, Mr Lewis outlined the development of a comprehensive structure that provides the portfolio of rounded qualifications and skills necessary for more flexible and productive employment. "The Government is putting in place a vocational ladder that will provide coherent framework for pupils aged from 14 wanting to tailor their education better to their career path." This he explained could include wholly vocational options or mix with more traditional GCSEs. Other options would include reformed Modern Apprenticeships and vocational A Levels and Degrees.
"There is not a great history for vocational training. It has retained a Cinderella status and is held in somewhat lower esteem than academic education. This must change," said Mr Lewis.
"Purely academic post-14 education simply doesn't meet the needs of many young people and can leave them ill-equipped for adult and working life."
The Government is making available considerable funds to deliver its proposals. The first stage leading to work-based learning or vocational A Levels will be backed by a programme of support totalling £38 million between 2002 - 04. A further £180 million is being provided to implement reforms to Modern Apprenticeships.
However, Mr Lewis pointed out that the construction industry could do much to improve recruitment problems. "Only 3% of construction apprenticeships are female, only 2% of plumbing apprenticeships are from an ethnic group, only 1% of heating and ventilation apprenticeships have disabilities. It cannot be good business to ignore more than 50% of the potential workforce. The industry must do more to recruit from all sections of society."
The government's proposals were warmly welcomed by the FMB delegates, many of whom report difficulties in recruiting skilled craftsmen and women. Ian Davis, Director General of FMB, said: "The Government is taking positive steps towards developing an education programme that is more relevant to the realities of working life. We particularly welcome the moves to increase the opportunities for vocational education. For too long there has been a misplaced snobbery against learning a trade. Initiatives outlined today by Mr Lewis together with those initiatives being developed by the FMB, such as the Master Builder of the Year Awards, will help raise the profile and awareness of the wide range of career opportunities offered by the building industry."
First posted: 1 October 2001. Last modified: 1 October 2001.
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