I think there is an argument for higher education, in that doing a degree in History, Philosophy or the Arts has intrinsic value or 'learning for its own sake' is an accepted pursuit. HE and secondary yes
However, 'vocational education and training' offers a different proposition. agreed but its not totally exclusive to this concept
If we take the word vocational as meaning a career choice, then there is the implicit assumption that vocational education leads to a job in a particular field such as medicine or plumbing. Yes i agree in the majority of cases but again it shouldnt be totally exclusive or considered as such
I would strongly argue that there are now few instances of adults doing plumbing courses for their own sake, compared to those doing courses with some intention of doing the job. I agree
If we now introduce the government rhetoric of 'skills training' and providing people with the skills employers want, there is an explicit implication that the courses lead into industry or provide the first steps in a process. Agreed, and I think plumbing quals fit into this just fine
The consequences of the 'over-ambitious' claims by training providers and government, is that people are now 'brain-washed' into thinking they need a course to become something - all part of the marketisation of education and training Not usre brain washed but yes this can be one view, this is were my persistent message of informed judgments and knowing the facts comes in
Courses are sold and people are left with debt, no job and the frustration of looking for work in field that is 'probably' over-supplied, i presume this is the case, and it is said repeatably on here time after time, again this is not the fault of the qualification, it is the fault of the seller misleading and the buyer not doing their research. but we don't know the numbers.
In addition, people lose confidence in their knowledge, because they have not practised it yet, and probably just give up Its no different than many courses, I feel that plumbing gets bad press with this, what about all the other courses that do the same? How many people with ONC's, HNC's H&S quals etc etc go into that direct line of work? I know several people who have completed the 6129 who have got jobs on the back of it but not as a plumber, one is now a caretaker in a school, one got a job as a joinery apprentice because the successful course was proof of applying oneself, there will be numerous success stories like this but they are difficult to measure
Or tech-cert students are faced to 'set-up' and incurr more cost when going self-employed - which benefits the wider economy because self employed people generate business (at their own expense) The tech cert is not designed to make somebody a plumber so they shouldnt really go self employed as a 'fully qualified' plumber, nothing wrong though with basic works if they work within their own ability
Numbers are massively important, thats why they are kept secret. I don't think many would be shelling out £thousands for courses or chosing a career in plumbing if they knew there was little chance of finding a jobt Are you sure clanger? just read many posts on here, how many say they realise its not going to be easy and the money isnt going to be all that and still pay to do it because its what they want
I can't believe the 48,000 who turned up for a tech-cert in 2008 were doing it because they loved the subject and wanted to learn it for its own sake True, but we know and understand much more now so no reason to refuse training for people, we also cannot alter what went on before. We shouldnt stop people training now because many trained numerous years ago. They should be given the opportunity
