New Degree Will Help Address Skills Shortages, Says Employer Group
7th December, 2010
THE Plymouth Employment and Sklls Board (PESB) has welcomed a new BTEC degree in vocational subjects.
PESB says the qualification, which is being delivered by Pearson at further education (FE) colleges, universities and other training providers, will help to deliver the advanced skills needed for economic growth.
Edexcel - part of education company Pearson, which also owns the Financial Times - currently offers Higher National Certificates and Higher National Diplomas in vocational subjects, usually studied in FE colleges for one and two years respectively.
The first phase will see four subjects developed - business, engineering, information technology and health and social care - and piloted from September 2011.
Graham Morris, Project Director of PESB, said: "Easily accessed vocational degrees are just what is needed to raise the level of skills development which our economy needs. We have to ensure that young people are entering the jobs market with the right skills. Foundation degrees have been available at City College Plymouth through its partnership with the University of Plymouth for some time and play a key role in our local educational offer. The fact that BTEC is launching a range of qualifications at this level emphasises just how important higher level vocational achievement has become."
"Business, engineering and medical sectors are three of Plymouth's six priority sectors so it is particularly encouraging that they are three of the first BTEC degrees to be rolled out. Whether they will add to the current range of qualifications available in the city remains to be seen, as some of the areas are already covered by foundation degrees through our university. However, the launch of this national programme, and the fact that Government minister David Willetts has publicly welcomed it, will send out a strong meesage to younge people about the importance and relevance of such higher education. We should encourage young people to aspire to such studies, improving their lifelong career prospects and empolyability, and not be too put off by the current debate on student fees."
The announcement comes as a new survey from the Institute of Directors (IoD) reveals that the growth of nearly 60 per cent of businesses is being held back by a lack of skills in the wider workforce and among existing employees.
The survey found firms said they were cutting back on training because they were constrained by employment regulation and taxes which ate up resources.
The findings also showed that 31 per cent of employers were struggling to fill vacancies in their workforce and 47 per cent of directors believed some of their organisation's employees lacked the skills needed to do their job to the required level.
ENDS
