Get diploma ‘for doing a paper round’
THE work-related diplomas Gordon Brown hopes will replace A-levels were slammed last night, after it emerged that pupils could receive one for carrying out a paper round.
Education chiefs are worried that students will gain the qualifications – which begin in September – without any relevant work experience.[>
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Ministers have claimed that the courses will give 14 - to 19-year-olds employer-based learning.[>
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The diplomas include a minimum of 10 days’ work experience, but it does not have to be in a relevant field.[>
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So pupils can pass a construction diploma without ever having visited a building site. And part-time work will also count – even if it is unrelated.[>
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One education source said: “In theory, a paper round would count.”[>
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Campaign for Real Education chairman Nick Seaton said: “Ministers have made a complete muddle of these diplomas.[>
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“If a youngster is doing a vocational qualification, they need some experience in the relevant business field.”[>
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The Civil Engineering Contractors Association’s Joe Johnson said: “Pupils have to get their hands dirty.”[>
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But the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority said: “It is not the purpose of the diploma to make young people job-ready.”[>
