The Principal of St Helens College, one of Merseyside’s largest further education colleges, Dr Jette Burford, has welcomed the Department for Education’s (DoE) decision to introduce new legislation whereby schools must allow access to apprenticeship providers and colleges to ensure young people are aware of all the opportunities available to them.
The significant change will mean schools, as part of careers guidance, are required by law to collaborate with further education providers and training providers. The move by the government follows concerns that apprenticeships and other technical and professional education routes (TPE) are being offered only to the lowest-achieving pupils, creating a two-tiered system of careers advice.
Martin Doel, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges (AoC), said, “We have long been calling for an improvement to the system and welcome the changes outlined. Colleges recognise the critical nature of good careers education and will be very keen to continue to work together with their local schools. This announcement will make that a reality.”
St Helens College, recently placed second best college in the country for vocational progression, remains committed to working in partnership with local schools across the Northwest region, supporting young people to reach their full potential and make the right choices for their future.
Principal of St Helens College, Jette Burford said, “We are extremely pleased with the Department for Education’s decision. Fair and impartial careers advice has been a key priority for us, and while we have a strong relationship with some schools, there are barriers put in place by others.”
“One of the main obstacles that we face as a further education provider is the common misconception that A Levels are the only direct route to university. We spend a vast amount of time and resource, educating young people and their parents that this is not the case. We want to help young people make an informed choice about their future, whether it’s studying A Levels, technical and professional courses or apprenticeships.”
The Department of Education has also announced a re-branding of the term ‘vocational’ to ‘technical and professional education (PTE)’, in a bid to raise the profile and understanding of this type of study route.
Jette added, “The re-branding is definitely a positive step in the right direction. The term ‘vocational’ is often met with confusion when students and parents look to differentiate between this way of learning and A Levels, often assuming that vocational is a lower level of learning, when in actual fact, it is equivalent and can still provide access to university.”
For more information regarding St Helens College and the range of opportunities on offer, please visit www.sthelens.ac.uk or alternatively, call 0800 99 66 99 or email enquire@sthelens.ac.uk.