The government has announced that it will introduce new vocational GCSEs in England, including building and construction
The new construction vocational GCSE, if the plan comes to fruition, will be available to secondary school students in September 2029.
The new qualifications will be introduced and sit alongside existing GCSEs, and English, Science, and Maths will remain the core curriculum.
Replacing Technical Awards
The new GCSEs are intended to replace existing Technical Awards, and will have nationally determined content, assessment, and grading from Ofqual.
Subject specialists will help to develop subject choices, and local leaders, employers, schools, and colleges are expected to have a role in determining which areas of study reflect local skills requirements.
Alongside these new GCSEs, the National Mission on Work Experience has been announced, working with the Good Growth Business Forum and various businesses to improve the number of opportunities available to students outside of the classroom.
The mission calls for 200,000 work experience placements to be established by employers, providing more places for 14-16 year olds to be exposed to the workplace. Mayors and local authorities are also being called upon to help facilitates this, including making links between schools and employers.
Prime minister Andy Burnham said: “We’ve all heard someone say ‘school wasn’t really for me’ because they were not given the chance to study vocational courses as well as traditional subjects.
“That one-size-fits-all approach isn’t working, so we’re building an education system that values both academic and technical paths.
“I want to give all young people across Britain the hope that their future will be brighter – whether it starts at university or not.”
The industry welcomes the move
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “Those in vocational roles earn well, have great job satisfaction, are highly valued internationally and often pick up many transferable skills. Most nations already understand this and by embedding vocational learning and aspiration in the formal education system, prime minister Burnham is helping to bring the UK education system into the modern age.
“We would urge the PM to consider the role of academies, as they are a readymade mechanism for delivery, particularly in areas where large employers or industries already operate.”
David Barnes, head of policy and public affairs at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), said: “CIOB welcomes the announcement of new vocational qualifications which will benefit students who may struggle with more rigid academic routes. Construction is a unique industry which offers many great roles both site-based and office-based.
“However, the government has said Building and Construction could be included as an option, rather than confirming it will be. To help schools and industry plan, we need clarity on what that means, including how subjects will be selected, when consultation will take place and how employers and professional bodies will be involved.
“Our latest research shows there is already a strong appetite among young people to learn more about construction, but that interest is not consistently translating into career choices. Two-thirds (66%) of 2000 16- to 24-year-olds we surveyed have a positive view of construction careers, yet only 30% would consider working in the sector.
“Almost half (45%), however, said construction was not included in the careers advice they received while in education, so for these vocational courses to be successful they must be promoted to students and parents as viable options.
“Consideration must also be given to the fact that further education establishments are already struggling to recruit teachers for built environment courses, so the government will need to address the key question of where teachers with recent industry expertise would come from.
“We hope ministers will set out a clear timetable for consultation and development, and work closely with industry and professional bodies to ensure any new qualification gives young people a meaningful introduction to the modern construction sector that challenges the perception that construction is solely about physically demanding, site-based work and instead showcases the wide range of professional careers available.
“We’re looking forward to contributing to that process and opening up meaningful routes to careers in the built environment.”
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