Cambridge OCR is calling for vocational education and experiences to form part of every 14-16 year old’s learning, underpinned by a coherent strategy that goes “beyond qualifications”.

The recommendation for a “vocational ecosystem” to replace the current fragmented approach comes in our landmark report, chaired by former Education Secretary Charles Clarke.

Untapped Potential also calls for schools to get more support to make vocational education a success, adding that regional leadership, local employers, colleges and universities need to work together to build capacity and give schools the incentives to deliver an effective vocational education.

Vocational vs academic = lost opportunities

In the report we argue that vocational education cannot be viewed as a specialist pathway for a minority of learners. We warn that “valuable opportunities have been pushed to the margins” thanks to decades of misconceptions framing vocational education as in opposition to the academic.

Myles McGinley, Managing Director of Cambridge OCR, said: “While debates around vocational education are stuck in old paradigms, we miss the opportunity to arm students with the skills and experiences they need for life and work.”

The report recommends a strong academic education should be supplemented by a new approach which goes beyond individual qualifications to incorporate vital experiences like sustained contact with local employers, high-quality careers guidance, and connections with local workplace opportunities.

This would help young people apply learning, explore future careers, understand the world of work and develop practical skills.

McGinley added: “Young people of all abilities and backgrounds are looking ahead to the most unpredictable jobs market in living memory. We can help them thrive in this challenging environment by broadening their education so practical experience sits alongside the crucial knowledge delivered in GCSEs.”

However, he warned that without change, “we will be holding back a generation by sending them into an unforgiving economy without all the tools they need to succeed.”

Charles Clarke, former Education Secretary and chair of Chair of Cambridge OCR’s Untapped Potential report, said: “When we build an education system, we cannot predict the world that children will enter as adults. Our role instead is to give those children the knowledge and experience to make informed choices about their future, and the confidence and adaptability to thrive in unexpected circumstances.”

“The current system is very good at building a young person’s foundation of knowledge, and we should celebrate that. But this is only part of the story, and our research has made clear that every single student would benefit from an element of vocational education.”

Localism agenda is a once in a generation opportunity

We also argue in the report that regional leadership will be crucial in building and sustaining this ecosystem, with the Prime Minister’s devolution agenda a vital opportunity to allow regions to coordinate a vocational system that works for their young people and local economies.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, wrote a foreword to the report, which he describes as a “useful contribution”.

“Rather than treating vocational qualifications in isolation, it looks at what needs to happen around them: better careers advice, meaningful contact with employers and stronger relationships between schools, colleges and the world of work”, he says.

Clarke adds that Andy Burnham’s government has brought a new “new of momentum” around vocational education.

He says: “A revitalised localism agenda is the perfect opportunity to create a coherent system that works in every postcode. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine the place of vocational and technical education in our society.”