Plans for new vocational GCSEs have been welcomed by sector leaders, but concerns have been raised that disadvantaged pupils could be steered towards technical routes, damaging social mobility.
The Department for Education said the new qualifications will sit alongside traditional GCSEs and replace existing Technical Awards, with some subjects available from September 2029.
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Possible vocational GCSE subjects include business management and finance, creative media production, digital tech, child development, and building and construction, while pupils will continue to study core subjects including English, maths and science.
The government also announced a “national mission on work experience”, calling on employers to provide an additional 200,000 placements for 14- to 16-year-olds.
Carl Cullinane, director of research and policy at social mobility charity the Sutton Trust, said: “Overall, we welcome the bolstering of technical and vocational routes, given historic underfunding and skills gaps, and the potential to create opportunity for very disadvantaged groups. And efforts to boost work experience placements will help provide valuable opportunities for young people.
“But we’re concerned that disadvantaged young people are nudged towards the technical track, increasing divides and ultimately reducing social mobility. These reforms shouldn’t get in the way of efforts to narrow attainment gaps in crucial core subjects.”
Early education and health campaigners welcomed the inclusion of child development among the possible subjects.
Dame Andrea Leadsom, founder of the 1001 Critical Days Foundation, said: “We welcome the prospect of child development being included among the new vocational GCSEs. Understanding how babies develop is valuable preparation for life, as well as for careers working with children.
“The 1001 Critical Days, from pregnancy to age two, lay the foundations for lifelong emotional and physical wellbeing. Brain development begins in the womb. During the first year after birth, the brain roughly doubles in volume, reaching around 80% of adult volume by age two.”
Leadsom urged ministers to put “the science of early development and the importance of babies’ relationships at the heart of the new qualification”.
Tim McLachlan, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association, said: “We welcome this new approach to vocational qualifications for our younger teenagers which will give them an insight into exciting career opportunities they might not have considered otherwise.
“The proposed child development course would be a great start because it broadens the knowledge for students who may have an interest in the care or education sectors but who aren’t aware of the enormous value of supporting a very young child’s development.
“We would value a mix of knowledge and on-the-job experience that a course like this could give prospective students. Placements can also give future employers a really good demonstration of how the students would work as an employee. However, there is a cost to placements, including DBS checks, which must not be borne by employers.”
The DfE said course content will be nationally set and assessment and grading regulated by Ofqual. A consultation is planned for later this year.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell said: “Our new vocational GCSEs will give young people a stronger connection to the careers and industries shaping our economy, helping them discover and develop their talents while maintaining high standards across our education system.”
Source: CYPNow
