RSC response to the Wolf Review of 14-19 vocational education

This is the RSC's response to the Review of 14-19 vocational education, coordinated by Professor Wolf.  

In this response the RSC emphasises the following key points;

• Based on evidence: It is essential that the development of vocational education take in to account: the current and likely future needs of society and employers; the wealth of research evidence on the kind of learning experiences which enable students to fulfil their potential. 

• Standardisation: Quality benchmarking of vocational qualifications and removing the notion of equivalencies to traditional academic qualifications is essential to raise the reputation of vocational qualifications and ensure that vocational education in meaningful to both students and 'end users'.   

  Vocational courses should be valuable in their own right and should hence complement rather than compete with traditional academic qualifications.  They should be fully integrated within a flexible, transparent system that allows students of all needs and abilities to combine the most suitable courses in a way that allows them to fulfil their potential.  

• Flexibility: The model for vocational education must enable progression to a professional and certificated standard and should provide meaningful choice and flexibility for all students.  Students should also be able to move easily between industry sectors once certain core skills have been attained.