8th July 2015 5:00
By Blue Tutors
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has called for GCSEs to be scrapped altogether in favour of a system which attaches equal weight to vocational subjects. The employers’ group said that the exam system was out of date, and undermined the value of vocational courses. They suggested a focus on A levels which should include both academic and vocational subjects, both taken when students are 18. In their statement the CBI called on the government to set a date within the next 5 years by which GCSEs should be scrapped in favour of a system which awards equal weight to vocational subjects.
The CBI articulated concerns that ministers are pushing for an increasingly academic education system which pushes all students towards universities. According to a spokesperson for the group, the government has pretended to have an exam system that values vocational education, whilst in reality has set up an exam system which prioritises academic education. The group concluded that the strategy amounted to a ‘false choice’ between academic and vocational paths.
The CBI urged the government to improve the vocational education available to students, and said that many students are not suited to a narrow, academic approach. Non-academic routes needed to be rigorous and expanded in a way that made them a viable alternative option, rather than “second best”. The group highlighted in particular the fact that many young people go into work without the basic skills they need, because the vocational education necessary was poor, or not available at all. They also cited the lack of careers advice in the area of vocational work, and called on the government to improve the services available.