The Government has been urged to put design and technology at the forefront of its new TechBacc qualification.
The plea has come from Martyn Hale, chairman of Bromsgrove-based HME Technology, who has been leading a nationwide campaign to promote design and technology in schools amid concern that an on-going shake-up of the National Curriculum could see the subject given less prominence.
He insisted: “TechBacc is a step forward in vocational education but highlights how important it is that we do not take a step back with the National Curriculum.”
The new Technical Baccalaureate is designed as a performance measure marking achievement by young people aged 16 to 19, putting vocational education on a par with A-levels.
The Government promised it would give bright youngsters aspiring to a vocational career a first-class alternative to the more traditional A-level route, ensuring they have the technical ability employers want, and giving Britain the skilled workforce it needs to compete in the global race.
It will be introduced for courses beginning in September 2014.
Mr Hale commented: “I welcome the introduction of a technical baccalaureate standard.
“This is further evidence that the Design and Technology Association’s push to retain and offer a more robust subject at the heart of the National Curriculum, combined with HME Technology’s emphasis on employability, is the correct approach to those 11 to 18 year olds who show an aptitude for solving problems and making things through better design – as demonstrated by campaign supporter Sir James Dyson with the vacuum cleaner!
“Children should start off in life with the widest choice of subject and creativity we can provide. Most schools can accommodate that choice.
“We are a nation of inventors and developers and from having an understanding of maths, science and English those pupils who embrace design and technology will discover the world is their oyster.”
Mr Hale went on: “It is our belief that design and technology is a first class route to employability, whether it is a vocational trade, product design, an apprenticeship or graduate place in engineering.
“But in order to ensure that the UK keeps its place at the top of the global innovation league, we must first ensure that design and technology is given its rightful place at the heart of the National Curriculum and that it is taught with increased vigour as a more rigorous subject.”
Skills Minister Matthew Hancock has said the TechBacc would see pupils study three key elements – a rigorous high-quality vocational course, maths and literacy.
He insisted: “We are being clear to our young people about the skills they need to succeed and get good jobs. We want an education system in which everyone can reach their potential.
“Our reforms to post-16 qualifications, including the introduction of the new TechBacc will do that. They will incentivise the development of high-quality courses and incentivise schools and colleges to offer the courses that get young people on in life.
“We expect all bright students who want to go into technically skilled jobs or apprenticeships to aim for the TechBacc.”
The Government suggests occupations most suited to TechBacc achievers would be the likes of laboratory technicians, IT technicians, various engineering technician roles, and construction professionals; service technicians such as retail and hospitality management, personal services, and junior accounting positions; and creative technicians – digital media, other media, creative industries, sport industry, material/textiles, and design.