Overview
There is a mass of education and training provision on offer across the UK which relates to the creative and cultural sectors. In addition to a large number of formally accredited qualifications, there is also a plethora of non-accredited training and short course provision.
We need to ensure that those employed in the creative and cultural sectors have access to the right qualifications and training, and to make sure that they address their needs. This might be to allow for progression through the sector, or for entry into the sector. It might be to develop very specialist skills in a particular area, or to develop more generic skills such as management and finance.
We want to see a qualifications world that genuinely reflects the sector’s needs. Our vision, informed by employers, is to deliver sector-led qualifications which provide the creative industries with the people and skills required in a global market.
Our work in context
Our work focuses on vocational qualification reform. The following summary of Government reforms shows the context in which our programmes are being developed:
- strengthened GCSEs and A levels
- expansion of Apprenticeships (more)
- the new Diploma route (more)
- a Foundation Learning Tier of qualifications
- functional skills in English, Mathematics and ICT embedded in all learning routes
- a modified secondary curriculum
- a learning entitlement for all 14-19 year olds from 2013
- simplification of the qualifications routes (more)
- a continuous drive to raise standards
- plans to raise the participation age to 18 by 2015.
For more information on any of the above, please visit http://www.qca.org.uk and http://www.ukces.org.uk/default.aspx?page=4544
Timescales for 14-19 reforms
September 2008
- First secondary students to be affected by RPA
- First 5 Diplomas taught
- September Guarantee extended to 17 year olds
- First teaching of new A levels
- Extended Project begins
2009
- First 10 Diplomas being taught
- New GCSEs start
2010
- Foundation Learning Tier available
- 14 Diplomas available
- New English, ICT and Maths GCSEs taught with Functional Skills
2011
- 16-19 funding transferred from Learning and Skills Council to Local Authorities
- Science, Languages and Humanities Diplomas taught
2013
- Entitlements to all Diplomas and Apprenticeships
- Recommended Participation Age (RPA)
- RPA for all 17 year olds
- Qualifications review
2015