A generation of British youngsters – who receive their A-level results this week – are in danger of losing out on rewarding careers in industry because they are being driven away from vocational pathways to work – in a ‘Charge of the Trite Brigade’.
Elizabeth Bonfield, EAL head of Business Innovation, warns that ignorance, prejudice, poor careers advice and the about to be reformed league table system means that the pursuance of ‘trite’ pointless low-level degrees will once again cost the country dear.
Specialist awarding organisation EAL – which overseas awards and hence qualifications in numerous industry sectors including engineering, manufacturing, plumbing and electrical services warns that the skills gap could get worse before it gets better.
EAL believes that the disconnect between education and industry will cost the country dear – and leave many youngsters ill equipped for fulfilling and rewarding careers.
“This is a grave situation which has been in the making for decades,” said Elizabeth.
“The pursuance of low value often meaningless university degrees is still being led by those that influence the decision making of our young people.
“Parents and educators are still leading huge numbers of able young people down the wrong path towards unemployment or dead end jobs.
“This is nothing short of a ‘Charge of the Trite Brigade’ – a national tragedy.”
The Industry Apprentice Council – the body supported by EAL and run by apprentices for industry apprentices across the country – issued a damning report on careers advice and parental knowledge regarding vocational pathways to work.
Less than 9% of the almost 600 apprentice respondents said that they found out about their apprenticeship through either their teacher or careers advisor.
The numbers drop to around 6% for those who found out about apprenticeships via either careers fairs or the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS). In fact, more than 50% said their own initiative was the key to learning about apprenticeships, with more than 35% using online research and 24% through a family member. Indeed, 13.4% said a suggestion from their parents was the catalyst, while 15% said a friend.
The survey, issued earlier this year, revealed that less than a quarter of apprentices were encouraged to follow the apprenticeship pathway by their school or college. Nearly 40% of those that responded to the survey said the careers advice they received in school or college was either poor or very poor, with a further 7% claiming they did not receive any advice or guidance at all. Only 23% rated their school or colleges’ careers information, advice and guidance as good or very good.
“Industry is still a vital component of the British economy – which has weathered the recession and is growing fast.
“We need one million new skilled workers in the engineering sector alone in the next six years to cope with demand – and as it stands – that just won’t happen.” said Elizabeth.
“There were around 800,000 people on apprenticeships across a wide range of sectors in 2012/13 compared to nearly 2,500,000 taking university degrees – an improvement on recent years but still a woeful differential.”
Educators and government have been asked to take a long hard look at their careers advice offering – and make urgent changes.
Among the series of proposals are:
• Cross-party talks involving government, educators and industry
• UCAS style clearing house arrangements for apprenticeships/traineeships and other placements
• An urgent inquiry in to the Careers Service.
The UK needs to create more than one million engineering jobs before 2020 to meet the demands of Advanced Manufacturers.
