Vocational options have narrowed by 70 per cent

Vocational education will see a rapid decline in take-up because courses no longer count towards school performance league tables, according to a report.

The study, by the IPPR, found that government plans to reform accountability, which will see most vocational qualifications excluded, will narrow the options available to up to 70 per cent of the 14 to 16 age group. In turn, this will disadvantage the UK when it comes to competing globally.

The report found that vocational education enjoys a much higher status in many other countries, proving popular with young people and offering pathways into higher education. 

It suggested that one way to strengthen skills-based learning in the UK was to hold schools to account for their provision of vocational courses, and increasing the expanding 14 to 19 programmes of study.