One of the striking features of the secondary education system in England is the failure to introduce vocational elements into the curriculum. Successive attempts to create a long term and effective system including these elements have proved ineffective because of a whole series of factors, all of which have been discussed ad nauseam over many… Read more »
Posts By: Richard
A Threat to Rebalancing the Economy?
A concern in many countries is the current and growing trend among young qualified people who decide to leave to seek employment in other countries as a consequence of the continuing recession and financial crisis. Many young people have become increasingly disillusioned after qualifying to find they are underemployed or unemployed. If this trend continues… Read more »
Re-balancing the Economy and the Skills Agenda
(A viewpoint jointly written by R Evans and A Rego. It reinforces many of the issues raised in other Parts of this website. I am very grateful to Artur for joining me writing this article as he brings a great deal of expertise and experience in examinations and assessments with City and Guilds across a… Read more »
The Further Education Unit (FEU)
Founded in 1977 the Further Education Unit with Geoff Melling its first chairman when Geoff returned to the inspectorate Jack Mansell was then appointed in 1980 to head up the Unit and soon proved to be an excellent director having an in-depth knowledge of the FE sector. The purpose of the Unit was to advise… Read more »
The Crucial Importance of Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships and vocational education and training continue to appear on the political agenda but as so often occurs a number of policies are emanating from government that will impede their implementation. If the government is really committed to introducing a comprehensive high quality set of apprenticeship programmes then a totally new paradigm needs to be… Read more »
The Value of Qualifications and the Question of Parity of Esteem!
The Value of Qualifications and the Question of Parity of Esteem. The theme of this piece is as relevant to the plumbing profession as it is for all other vocational and technically orientated qualifications and occupations. It addresses the general perception that these qualifications are second-class and of low status when in fact they are… Read more »
Recommendations of the Select Committee on Scientific Instruction 1867-1868
The Select Committee on Scientific Instruction deliberated and met from 1867 to 1868 and reported in July 1868. It concluded with a series of conclusions including: Effecient elementary instruction should be available to every child to enable the working class to benefit from scientific instruction. In order for this to be effective, regular attendance of… Read more »
The Future Shape of Work?
At this time of continuing financial crisis, high youth unemployment and ever accelerating technological advance the issues associated with the shape of work and the workforce in the future and its implications for education and training have never been so important. The reality is that employment and employability are changing at an accelerating rate. Over… Read more »
Why No Licence to Practise?
I would like to focus on three inter- related issues namely the existence of rogue traders and training providers and the reluctance of this country to introduce a licence to work for a number of occupations. These issues have sadly created an unfair and negative view of a number of professional trades including, construction, hairdressing,… Read more »
Thomas Huxley (1825-1895)
Thomas Huxley (1825-1895). Author, Biologist, Educator and Research Scientist. Thomas Huxley was born in Ealing in 1825 son of a mathematics teacher. Mainly self taught he began a medical apprenticeship and soon won a scholarship to the Charing Cross Hospital where he gained an MB degree in 1845 from University of London. At the age… Read more »
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