Businesses choosing vocational skills over academic experience
EMPLOYERS are increasingly placing weight on vocational qualifications over academic qualifications, according to a report by The Edge Foundation and City & Guilds out today.
Over half of the 1,000 small, medium and large business contacted as part of the report said vocational qualifications were most important in preparing young people for work.
“In recent years, society has placed too much emphasis on academia. But as the research shows, the current system is failing young people and not preparing them for the world of work,” said City & Guilds chief executive Chris Jones.
Last month City & Guilds reported that a third of businesses are considering looking abroad to fill shortages in the workforce and over half didn’t feel that the current education system meets the needs of business.
“We have skills gaps emerging in many sectors within the UK and it is crucial that young people are given the right training and encouragement to be able to fill these gaps,” said Edge Foundation chief executive Jan Hodges.