Work-based vocational learning offers young people the opportunity to support their classroom learning by gaining practical skills in the workplace, and ultimately allowing them to achieve a recognised qualification.
In the context of Determined to Succeed, it is about enabling young people to experience and develop an understanding of the world of work, supported by employers and teachers who can contextualise the learning.
Our world is changing fast. We all need more skills than ever before. Two out of three jobs in the future will require a higher level of skills and better qualifications than they do at present. In less than 10 years there will be very few unskilled jobs. Work experience and work-based learning are important as they allow young people to get involved in the working environment and sometimes to take up new and exciting opportunities.
Employers who take part in work-based vocational learning often do so because they can see real benefits for their business. In the short term, working with young people allows employers to capture new ideas and fresh enthusiasm. In the long term, employers are contributing to the skills young people need to develop as future employees or employers.
The world of business needs an enthusiastic, hardworking and increasingly computer-literate workforce. Through work-based vocational learning, you can help to provide young people with the skills, knowledge and attitudes they need to achieve success in the workplace.
Reflective questions
You may want to consider and reflect on the following when planning or evaluating your teaching, learning and assessment activities:- Do I aim to develop in my pupils an understanding and appreciation of the world of work, the value of different occupations including entrepreneurship, and their contributions to the economy and society?
- Do I seek to develop in my pupils a knowledge and understanding of personal finance, wealth creation and wealth distribution both nationally and globally?
- Do I enable my pupils to reflect on the roles, rights and responsibilities of individuals as employees, managers, employers, entrepreneurs, investors, customers and global citizens?
- Do I endeavour to raise awareness in my pupils of recognising the positive and negative contributions of technology and business in society?
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