IMI Awards News

IMI Awards statement in response to the Wolf report

Despite some of the adverse press coverage after the publication of the Wolf review last Thursday, 3 March 2011, the Department for Education (DfE) wants to position itself as supportive of vocational education.

Click here to view the full report

In the report Michael Gove stated that he wants to ensure that the right qualifications are delivered by the right people in the right way. The report advocates a common core of general education for all, which Prof Wolf says is common across Europe.

In response to Wolf report, Alan Mackrill, Managing Director of IMI Awards said "The review is critical about specific vocational qualifications that do not lead to job opportunities for the learner.  The retail automotive sector requires different skill sets at many different roles and levels.  Our vocational qualifications offer progression across all levels and allow individuals to build their skills that will be both relevant and required for entering the retail automotive job market and offer further progression that keeps pace with changes in technology.   As a sector specific awarding body we work closely with our Sector Skills Council and build our qualifications as a direct result of employer engagement - we listen and respond to employer needs."

Below are some highlights from the report that will have an impact to us as an awarding body and future development of our qualifications.

• The report makes the point that most Level 1 and 2 vocational qualifications taken by young people do not translate into better chances of getting employment or enhanced financial returns.
• Foundation Learning comes in for criticism as being a programme that just accumulates qualifications with limited progression opportunities.
• The report recommends that all young people have to get GCSE Maths and English Grade C plus (or possible equivalents but this likely to be subject to much debate) if not pre-16 then post-16.  Prof Wolf refers to these as vocational qualifications as they are critical to gaining employment.
• The report picks up on the difficulties in getting employers to offer apprenticeships to 16 -19 year olds and Michael Gove referred to there being a need to encourage SMEs to get involved in apprenticeships and currently 'too many bureaucratic barriers'.
• In relation to post-16 vocational education the report argues that providers should move away from chasing baskets of qualifications to looking at programmes of study and that the funding methodology should support this by following the learner not the qualifications.
• Proposes that it is not necessary or appropriate for 14 - 19 vocational qualifications be on the QCF or rather submit to the QCF processes. 
• Proposes letting awarding organisations develop the qualifications that are needed.

The DfE are now working on the practicalities of the recommendations from the report.  It is expected a formal response to the report will be published at the end of April.

IMI Awards will continue to communicate direct with our approved centre network and publish findings from the DfE report that will have a direct impact.