Parents are wholeheartedly in favour of schools teaching vocational subjects, according to the results of a new opinion poll.
The poll of 3,000 parents was conducted by research company OnePoll, on behalf of Skillfast-UK, the Sector Skills Council for fashion and textiles, and the voice of 79,000 businesses on skills issues.
Results revealed that:
· 90% of parents agree that schools should teach vocational and practical courses, as well as academic subjects like GCSEs
· 83% of parents agree that teachers should have more contact with industry and business
· 78% of parents believe that schools do not equip young people adequately for the world of work
The findings come on the back of an announcement by the Shadow Schools Secretary this week, that the Conservatory Party plans to give schools more league-table points for teaching "hard" academic subjects, such as maths and physics, while vocational subjects, such as business studies or design and technology, would be removed from school league-table rankings.
Skillfast-UK believes this will discourage schools from teaching vocational subjects, to the detriment of industry and young people themselves.
Linda Florance, chief executive of Skillfast-UK said, "As A-level results are released, we will no doubt be hearing once again that high grades are too easy to achieve, and so-called "soft" vocational subjects have no place in our education system. Education should be challenging - but academic subjects are not the only valid challenge. As our poll clearly shows, parents are in favour of schools teaching vocational subjects as a way of preparing young people for life after school, and we hear the same message from the business community. As an economy, we need entrepreneurs and skilled practitioners, as well as academics. Our education system should value both."
www.skillfast-uk.org/
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