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NEWS

End of vocational education as a ‘second-class option’?

The Government’s proposals for strengthening vocational education are mainly ‘sensible and positive’, although the initiative has to be properly funded to avoid the problems which have beset the qualifications and curriculum system, says the NASUWT.

The Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce, developed in 2013, delivered what was dubbed a ‘landmark’ report in June, in which it made a number of proposals aimed at reducing youth unemployment in Scotland and creating a ‘world class system of vocational education and training’.

These included building closer links between employers, schools and colleges, measures to improve gender balance in training and the removal of barriers for young disabled people, care leavers and black and minority ethnic groups from taking up training opportunities.

The NASUWT has been calling for sometime for employers to play a greater role in working with schools to support the delivery of skills development and training, and for vocational education, often seen as a ‘second-class option’, to be given equal parity with academic education.

These, say the NASUWT, are the key ingredients in the creation of a skilled workforce.

However, responding to the Report, Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary, highlighted potential challenges for some schools to enter into long-term partnerships with local employers, as outlined in one of the Report’s recommendations. Ms Keates also went on to stress the importance of putting appropriate support in place to implement the proposals.

Ms Keates said it was “vital that appropriate support, funding and education is made available to schools, young people and employers to publicise the benefits of participation in vocational learning and enable high-quality provision to be put in place.

“The problems we have seen with the resourcing of the reforms to the qualifications and curriculum system must not be repeated.”

read more www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education

Guidance on child protection

The NASUWT has broadly welcomed updated guidance on child protection for professionals, including teachers.

The guidance aims to provide a national framework within which agencies and practitioners can understand and agree processes for working together to support, promote and safeguard the wellbeing of all children. It sets out expectations for strategic planning of services to protect children and young people and highlights key responsibilities for services and organisations.

It also serves as a resource for practitioners on specific areas of practice and key issues in child protection.

Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary, said: “The last guidance was issued in 2010 so this is something that we would broadly welcome.

“Because this is designed to help shape local policies and procedures, members may see that their employer and local authority guidance might be updated as a result. The NASUWT will monitor the effect of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 over the coming year as this may involve further changes to local practices.”

read more www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Young-People