For Course Advice Call:
0800 802 1306
Options Skills - Electrical, Gas & Plumbing TrainingOptions Skills - Electrical, Gas & Plumbing Training
  • Home
  • Gas Courses
      • Birmingham Gas Training
      • London Gas Training
      • Manchester Gas Training
      • ACS Gas Training Course
      • Fast Track Intensive Gas Courses
      • Gas Training for Plumbers
      • ACS Renewal
      • ACS Initial Assessment
      • How To Become A Gas Engineer
      • Gas Engineer Qualifications
  • Electrician Courses
      • Electrician Courses in Birmingham
      • Electrical Courses in London
      • Electrician Training In Manchester
      • NVQ Level 3 Electrical Training Course
      • Domestic Electrical Installer Award
      • Accelerated Electrical Training
      • Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations Award
      • 18th Edition Wiring Regulations
      • How to Become an Electrician
      • Electrician Qualifications Explained
      • What is a Competent Persons Scheme?
  • Plumbing Courses
      • Birmingham Plumbing Courses
      • London Plumbing Courses
      • Manchester Plumbing Courses
      • NVQ Level 2 Plumbing Training Course
      • Fast Track Intensive Plumbing Courses
      • How To Become A Plumber
  • Blog
  • About
      • Become a Mentor
      • Candidate Resourcing
      • Career Opportunities
      • Job Club
      • Birmingham Training Centre
      • Manchester Training Centre
      • Purley, London Training Centre
      • Wembley, London Training Centre
      • Resources for Existing Students
      • Finance Packages Available
      • Career Development
  • Contact Us
  • About
    • Options Skills Birmingham Training Centre
    • Options Skills Manchester Training Centre
    • Options Skills Wembley, London Training Centre
    • Options Skills Purley, London Training Centre
    • Blog
    • Become a Mentor
    • Career Opportunities at Options Skills
    • Resources for Existing Students
  • Gas Courses
    • ACS Gas Training Course
    • ACS Renewal
    • ACS Initial Assessment
    • Fast Track Intensive Gas Courses
    • Gas Training for Plumbers
  • Electrician Courses
    • NVQ Level 3 Electrical Training Course
    • Domestic Installer Award
    • Accelerated Electrical Training
    • 18th Edition Wiring Regulations
    • Fast Track Intensive Electrician Courses
    • Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations Award
  • Plumbing Courses
    • NVQ Level 2 Plumbing Training Course
    • Fast Track Intensive Plumbing Courses
    • How To Become A Plumber
  • Resources for Existing Students
  • Contact Us

Trade News

  • Home
  • Trade News
  • Vocational courses in schools criticised in new Ofsted report

Vocational courses in schools criticised in new Ofsted report

  • Posted by Options_Skills
  • Categories Trade News
  • Date June 16, 2011
  • Comments 0 comment

The standard of vocational courses currently taught in UK secondary schools is not satisfactory, according to a new Ofsted report entitled ‘Economics, Business and Enterprise Education’.

Ofsted’s main issue concerns whether the current vocational courses are of a high enough standard to be considered as equivalent to GCSE’s. In Ofsted’s opinion, the answer to that particular question is a definite no, with the study stating:

“Evidence from lesson observations, scrutiny of written work and discussion with students brings into question the case for claiming that such courses are equivalent to between two and four single-award, traditionally examined GCSEs at Key Stage 4.”

The key conclusion made in the Ofsted report is that the vocational courses being taught by publicly funded schools and colleges today are too focused on making sure students pass exams, rather than giving them the all-round business experience and understanding they require to succeed in the workplace. This has led to, in the reports words, ‘narrow and simplistic’ courses which enable students to achieve top marks without demonstrating a high level of knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Following the report, Ofsted’s chief inspector Christine Gilbert said:

“Vocational qualifications provide a valuable route to employment and further study for many learners. However, the report highlights the need to review the equivalency of vocational business qualifications that are assessed wholly or mainly by internally set and marked assignments with more traditional GCSEs and A-levels.”

The report highlights the importance of vocational courses providing students with practical, real-world experience that can be used in the workplace. That’s why all of our plumbing courses, electrician training courses and gas courses include practical on-the-job experience as well as all the necessary theoretical knowledge to make sure students are prepared for the workplace. Our courses are all industry accredited meaning that our trainees are more likely to get gainful employment than those that aren’t.

Tag:On The Tools

  • Share:

Previous post

Training Courses for Women Rising in Popularity
June 16, 2011

Next post

What are expected of landlords when they let a property and how our courses can save them money?
24 June, 2011
We aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 Hours, Monday - Friday.

LATEST NEWS & UPDATES

  • Will Heat Pumps Replace Gas Boilers In New Builds? February 22, 2021
  • What Makes The Perfect Customer? February 9, 2021
  • Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award 2021 January 25, 2021
  • How To Join The Gas Safe Register January 18, 2021

Categories

  • Careers
  • Company News
  • Going Green Guide
  • Homeowner Guide
  • Nice & Local
  • Placement
  • Small Business Guide
  • Student Resources
  • Testimonials
  • Trade News
  • Tradesperson Guide

Company Info

Options Skills Logo

0800 802 1306

Existing student? Need assistance? Contact Central Support on
0121 638 0966

EMAIL US

Birmingham 

Options Skills Birmingham
The Jubilee Centre
130 Pershore St
Birmingham
West Midlands
B5 6ND

 

Manchester

Options Skills Manchester
68 Grosvenor Street
Manchester
M1 7EW

Purley, London

Options Skills London
Fairbairn Close,
Purley,
CR8 2EJ

Wembley, London

Options Skills London
Unit 3
Abercorn Commercial Centre
Manor Farm Rd
Alperton, Wembley
HA0 1AN

Gas Safe Register
No. 601148

Options Skills Payment Methods
Up to 31st December 2020 Regulated qualifications and UKAS Accredited certificates of competence issued in the UK were widely recognised by other EU member states. However since the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, individual member states that previously recognised a UK qualification may now no longer do so. Learners undertaking qualifications on the basis that it is recognised by an EU member state should in the first instance make enquiries with the relevant bodies in that Country to confirm its recognition status.
Options Skills is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
We undertake in both regulated and un-regulated business for which we are authorised for under FRN 754473

© Copyright Options Skills Ltd 2020

  • Complaints Procedure
  • Accessibility
  • Price List
  • FAQs
  • Course Booking T&Cs
Business As Usual

Our phone lines are open and our course advisors are here to talk. If you wish to get in touch, request a callback via our contact form or call us directly.