More should be done to ensure GCSEs measure workplace skills
21 August 2014
This year’s GCSE results have raised concerns that not enough is being done to ensure the exams accurately measure the skills young people can bring to the workplace.
Thu, 21 Aug 2014This year’s GCSE results have raised concerns that not enough is being done to ensure the exams accurately measure the skills young people can bring to the workplace.
Katja Hall, deputy director general at the Confederation of the British Industry (CBI), says while government reforms may have increased “rigour” in the exam system, measures need to be taken to ensure the qualifications don’t just reflect how well young people perform in the exam hall.
The BBC reported a sharp fall in English GCSE grades, but highlighted that on average the results showed a slight rise in A* to C grades.
In a press statement, Hall said: “The removal of speaking and listening from the English GCSE is particularly concerning.
"Significant changes to the exam system are likely to shift the make-up of results, but schools should be judged not only on their position in the league tables, but how well-prepared young people are for life beyond the classroom.”
Hall also pointed out that the rise in the school participation age to 18 should raise questions about the value placed on exams taken at 16. Earlier this week The Work Foundation said the policy would fail without effective careers advice.
“Employers want high-quality academic and vocational routes up to 18 which better support young people into work,” she explained.
Hall described schools’ handling of career advice as a failure. “Schools, government and businesses all have a role to play in fixing the problem, it cannot be shouldered by schools alone.”
She called for a system that creates ‘local brokers’ to build better relationships between schools, colleges and local companies.
Greet Brosens, groups sales director at Adecco Group, said students must excel in STEM subjects and GCSE level and beyond to bridge the widening skills gaps in these areas: “Companies must be more effective in selling opportunities to young people. Engineering and manufacturing organisations in particular have to be resolute and innovative to demonstrate what they can offer, whether it relates to apprenticeships or fast track management programmes.”
Yesterday [20 August 2014] the government and top UK employers launched an initiative to increase apprenticeships for young people.
Jez Langhorn, senior vice president, chief people officer at McDonald’s UK, said the fast food chain offers work-based learning programmes “so young people no longer need to make a straight choice between employment and education”. He added: “Work-based qualifications such as apprenticeships are a great way to gain on-the-job experience; earning as you learn while building broader skills that are vital to long-term career success: skills like communication, teamwork and time management.”
And recruitment professionals are also getting involved in lending their expertise to schools and colleges, as Recruiter highlights this month in August's Soundbites.
Katja Hall, deputy director general at the Confederation of the British Industry (CBI), says while government reforms may have increased “rigour” in the exam system, measures need to be taken to ensure the qualifications don’t just reflect how well young people perform in the exam hall.
The BBC reported a sharp fall in English GCSE grades, but highlighted that on average the results showed a slight rise in A* to C grades.
In a press statement, Hall said: “The removal of speaking and listening from the English GCSE is particularly concerning.
"Significant changes to the exam system are likely to shift the make-up of results, but schools should be judged not only on their position in the league tables, but how well-prepared young people are for life beyond the classroom.”
Hall also pointed out that the rise in the school participation age to 18 should raise questions about the value placed on exams taken at 16. Earlier this week The Work Foundation said the policy would fail without effective careers advice.
“Employers want high-quality academic and vocational routes up to 18 which better support young people into work,” she explained.
Hall described schools’ handling of career advice as a failure. “Schools, government and businesses all have a role to play in fixing the problem, it cannot be shouldered by schools alone.”
She called for a system that creates ‘local brokers’ to build better relationships between schools, colleges and local companies.
Greet Brosens, groups sales director at Adecco Group, said students must excel in STEM subjects and GCSE level and beyond to bridge the widening skills gaps in these areas: “Companies must be more effective in selling opportunities to young people. Engineering and manufacturing organisations in particular have to be resolute and innovative to demonstrate what they can offer, whether it relates to apprenticeships or fast track management programmes.”
Yesterday [20 August 2014] the government and top UK employers launched an initiative to increase apprenticeships for young people.
Jez Langhorn, senior vice president, chief people officer at McDonald’s UK, said the fast food chain offers work-based learning programmes “so young people no longer need to make a straight choice between employment and education”. He added: “Work-based qualifications such as apprenticeships are a great way to gain on-the-job experience; earning as you learn while building broader skills that are vital to long-term career success: skills like communication, teamwork and time management.”
And recruitment professionals are also getting involved in lending their expertise to schools and colleges, as Recruiter highlights this month in August's Soundbites.
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