Research by Enginuity reveals a change in attitudes towards vocational education

15 August, 2024

Improved awareness of vocational routes is key

One reason for this shift in attitudes towards vocational options might be greater awareness amongst young people and as a result their parents. 66% of the 11-18-year-olds surveyed said their school speaks to them about both academic and vocational routes to make them aware of all choices when they leave school. 61% also said they had noticed their school talking about wider options for students when it comes to vocational routes post-exams. Again 61% said they gave had heard speakers come in to talk to students about more vocational careers.

Now is the time to capitalise on changing attitudes

Enginuity is a charity dedicated to finding new ways to close skills gaps in UK engineering and manufacturing. By doing this it wants to create a more productive sector where employers have the right skills at the right time to embrace advanced manufacturing and lead the net-zero transition.

More young people choosing vocational routes into engineering and manufacturing can play a key role in achieving this, but only if government and the sector acts now to capitalise on growing interest in these pathways.

That is why Enginuity is actively engaging in the following activities:

1. Promoting the benefits of engaging with apprenticeships to UK engineering and manufacturing employers and T Levels to employers in England. Increased interest in vocational routes won’t deliver a skills workforce unless employers offer apprenticeships, or the work placements required for T Levels.

2. Providing policy recommendations so that technical and vocational education is better able to keep up with the pace of change. We work with employers, industry bodies and government so that policy discussions consider the skills that are increasingly in demand.

3. Engaging with the technical and vocational education system to ensure it is fit for purpose. Enginuity helps to develop and maintain national occupational standards, occupational standards, apprenticeship standards or frameworks to meet industry needs. EAL is the Enginuity Group’s specialist awarding and end-point assessment organisation. In England it offers end-point assessment against a broad range of apprenticeship standards in engineering and manufacturing, and related industries, and is a national delivery partner for Engineering & Manufacturing and Construction & Building Services Engineering T Levels. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland it offers a comprehensive range of qualifications that support apprenticeship frameworks and skills development needs across the engineering and manufacturing sector, and related industries.

Ann Watson, Chief Executive of Enginuity, comments: “The results of our survey paint a clear picture on T Levels results day: both parents and young people are increasingly recognising the value of vocational education, particularly in fields like engineering and manufacturing that require technical expertise and hands-on experience.”

“T Levels and Level 3 apprenticeships are both equivalent to three A Levels and widely accepted by universities across the UK. It’s good to see that this equivalence is now being appreciated by potential students and their families, making them an increasingly considered and potentially preferable pathway to a successful career.”

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