Vocational Qualifications Given the Thumbs Up

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22 November 2013 | Updated 01 January 1970

In a commissioned report, 72% of employers believe vocational qualifications (VQs) are essential for improving the skills of young people and preparing them for work, with 53% rating them as more valuable than academic qualifications.

The new research, commissioned by the Edge Foundation and City & Guilds, gathered views from 1000 small, medium and large businesses.

The vast majority of employers (83%), across a variety of sectors, believe young people need to be made more aware of the options available to them to progress to their chosen career. A similar percentage (84%) also feels that children should be exposed to the world of work while still at school.

The findings were part of a wider project to understand employers’ experience of working with young people in Britain. The latest statistics came a few days before the launch of The Skills Show – the UK’s largest skills and careers event which took place last week – and covered by ThisWeekinFM.

Jan Hodges, Chief Executive of the Edge Foundation, commented: “We already know how important high quality vocational education is, but it is refreshing to hear how highly employers rate it. We have skills gaps emerging in many sectors within the UK and it is crucial that young people are given the right training and encouragement to be able to fill these gaps.”

Article written by Cathryn Ellis | Published 22 November 2013

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