Concern has been raised in the Senedd today that young people and their parents don’t always recognise the parity between academic and vocational courses.
During questions in today’s Plenary meeting at the National Assembly, Nick Ramsay AM asked the Minister for Education, “How is the Welsh Government ensuring that pupils at Key Stage 4 have access to vocational courses?”
Speaking in the chamber, Nick Ramsay AM asked the Minister to expand on what she is doing to ensure greater availability of vocational courses in schools and colleges and even more effective signposting about the value of vocational routes for young people at an earlier age.
In response, Kirsty Williams AM the Minister for Education agreed that,
“There is more that can be done to overcome perceptions of the value of vocational courses”, and highlighted how the Welsh Government is currently piloting a new approach to information advice to children and young people about the value of vocational courses.
Iestyn Davies, ColegauCymru Chief Executive said,
“ColegauCymru continues to call on the Welsh Government to ensure that the proposed reforms to general education, the so-called Donaldson reforms, include a strong emphasis on careers guidance and exposure to the world of work.”
The question from Nick Ramsay and the response from the Minister can be viewed here.
