Vocational Education:
At The Education Centre, we believe that students should be encouraged to make connections between the world of work and the courses they are studying. Vocational Education provides our students with a wide range of skills and qualifications as a stepping-stone to realistically obtaining employment and addressing a potential skills shortage, as well as helping to gain entrance into further education. The most obvious and possibly the most important relationship between schools and businesses is Vocational Training.
For some students engaged in Vocational Education, we see a sense of purpose emerging, for others the decision about their career can be determined, and for all it is about developing their skills and expertise. Whilst the focus tends to be on the job, the career path and the associated skills developed, another real benefit typically overlooked is the development of “ soft skills “ which young people acquire when they are taken out of the traditional classroom environment.
Where there is connectivity between school and the workplace, there is a broad array of skills developed that are not just limited to trades. These are:
- Interpersonal Skills
- The ability to relate to others
- An understanding of what the community expects from them
- A sense of appropriate work attire
Vocational Access Programme
Throughout Key Stage 3 & 4 all students have the opportunity to follow a Vocational Access Programme. In addition to preparation for external examination and work in National Curriculum subjects, all students have an extensive programme of Vocational Education. This may include courses at other establishments or with outside consultants leading to practical expertise and various accreditations and vocational qualifications. All students in years 10 & 11 have the opportunities for work experience placements both on and off site. |