Educate parents on career paths to boost vocational qualifications
YESTERDAY was VQ — or Vocational Qualification — Day, celebrating the achievements of some amazing young learners with the aim of raising the status of technical, practical and vocational learning.
However, the success of alternatives to university is causing some confusion among parents. Seven in 10 admit they do not understand the options available to their children after school, according to a study from LifeSkills created with Barclays.
LifeSkills has now launched new tools aimed at parents so they can give their children careers advice. Much of the advice comes from other parents via tips and video diaries (see barclayslifeskills.com/parents).
Vocational learning is often more hands-on and suits those who know what career they wish to pursue. This is what appealed to Daniel Swanepoel, 23, who has been awarded the title of London’s 2015 VQ Learner of the Year. Daniel excelled on his course at the Fashion Retail Academy in Fitzrovia and is now employed at Selfridges, Birmingham. He says: “Completing a vocational qualification has given me the skills and drive to pursue my chosen career.”
David Harbourne, acting CEO of the Edge Foundation, the independent charity behind VQ Day, says: “Daniel is a great example of how practical, technical and vocational qualifications can be the catalyst for a successful and fulfilling career.”