As part of the Government’s drive to offer more vocational options to Key Stage 4 pupils (14 – 16 year olds) vocational GCSEs are due to be available for first teaching from September 2002. They will cover levels 1 and 2 (foundation and intermediate) of the National Framework of Qualifications and will initially be available in eight vocational areas:

• art and design;
• business;
• engineering;
• health and social care;
• ICT;
• leisure and tourism;
• manufacturing; and
• science.

Vocational GCSEs are equivalent to two GCSEs in terms of size and demand and provide an introduction to a broad vocational area. Qualification results will be reported using the same scale as other GCSEs (A* - G) but will be reported with two grades (eg AA or EE) to reflect the volume of the achievement.

Further information is available at:

>> www.qca.org.uk/nq/framework/vgcse

The original Student Apprenticeship idea was developed by Charles Thomas, at Walsall TEC, and involved sixth form students spending one day each week with an employer to develop their understanding of the world of work.

The intention was to give students:

• real experience of the world of work;
• the opportunity to evidence their key skills; and
• the opportunity to gain units towards NVQs.

Towards the end of Walsall TEC’s life the Department for Education and Employment became increasingly interested in the Student Apprenticeship model and have translated this interest into action with the Black Country and West of England Learning and Skills Councils given the ‘go-ahead’ for extended pilots this year.

The Black Country EBL Consortium was approached by the Black Country LSC to work through the Education Business Partnerships to make the initial contacts with the schools and to encourage students to apply for the 200 places available across the four boroughs. The programme has been extremely well received within Walsall with 64 young people completing application forms. It is hoped that the Students Apprenticeship will be expanded further in 2002/2003.

More information is available from Lorenzo Cosco here at Walsall EBP.