Skills and qualifications

The term academic refers to traditional school subjects like English and mathematics, while vocational describes courses which are to do with work.
Qualifications
It can be confusing when you hear about all the qualifications on offer, especially when you need to make your post-16 choices. The chart below should help you to see how each qualification compares with another and the progression routes open to you.

• These can be taken before GCSEs and are suitable if you would find GCSEs difficult.
• After entry level qualifications you may be able to progress onto GCSEs or NVQs.
• They are available in both vocational and academic subjects.

GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education)

• Most schools offer GCSEs as the main way to gain your Key Stage 4 qualifications.
• There is a range of GCSE subjects to choose from including academic and vocational subjects (although the range of subjects available will differ from school to school).
• GCSEs in vocational subjects are double awards – equivalent to two traditional GCSEs.

Short GCSE courses

• Your school might offer short GCSE courses. These count as half a GCSE.
• They cover fewer topics and do not take as long to complete. Two short courses count as one full GCSE.
• GCSE short courses give you more options –you can take: an additional short course on top of the usual number of subjects; a short course in RE, ICT or PE instead of a full GCSE.
  A short GCSE course in the same time as a full GCSE.

NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications)

• NVQs are vocational qualifications that measure what someone can do in their job.
• NVQs are available in five levels – Level 1 to Level 5 (with 5 being the highest).
• At age 14 you will be able to do a Level 1 qualification and some Level 2 units.
• NVQs are available in the following subjects:

  Accountancy.
  Agriculture.
  Bakery.
  Construction.
  Dance and performing arts.
  Electronics.
  Hairdressing.
  Motor mechanics.
  Painting and decorating.
  Sport and recreation.
  Travel and tourism.

VRQs (Vocationally Related Qualification)

• VRQs cover a range of qualifications that are job oriented, such as travel and tourism, agriculture and public services.
• VRQs vary in length from a short programme in food hygiene to a BTEC Diploma, which is seen as equivalent to 4 GCSEs.
• VRQs, like NVQs have a practical approach to learning (though they are often less skills-specific). They have a unit/module structure, assessment through vocationally related assignments, and the building of a portfolio.
• VRQs are available at entry, Level 1 and Level 2 for pre-16 learners and there are well over 100 to choose from.

Young Apprenticeships
This new addition to the Apprenticeship family started in September 2004 for Year 10 students and could be for you. Initially, about 1,000 places will be available although there will be more places in future.

• Students will take qualifications such as GCSEs in vocational subjects or NVQs, and during Key Stage 4 spend up to 50 days in the work place gaining practical experience.
• Places are available in engineering, automotive, business administration and cultural industries.
• For entry, you will need to achieve certain standards at Key Stage 2 and 3. You could move on to an Apprenticeship or Advanced Apprenticeship at 16 years of age.
• Get more information from your Connexions personal adviser or at www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Gordon Brown has denied that plans for McDonald's and other firms to run A-level topics would amount to dumbing down - insisting the courses would be tough and intensive.

World Class apprenticeships

The information on this page is from: www.connexions.gov.uk/whichwaynow/options.htm