Moving on up

Apprentices and other students choosing to take a vocational route to a qualification may get a helping hand into university.

Currently, apprentices can continue their education into university on a foundation degree - a work-related qualification developed and delivered jointly by employers and higher education institutions.

In a report published yesterday by the Skills Commission, the body praised the government for their initiative with the apprenticeship scheme and called for a greater proportion of apprentices progressing into higher levels of learning.

Skills Secretary John Denham welcomed the report by the Skills Commission. He said: "Apprenticeships are valuable in their own right, but I believe there should be clear progression routes for young people and adults who complete their apprenticeships and want to go further - whether that's onto an advanced apprenticeship, a diploma or a foundation degree and beyond.

"Alongside this, I want universities to offer high-level vocational courses to meet the needs of students who have come up through vocational routes. Vocational routes to higher education are important. But it is also important that vocational training should continue to higher levels.

"Demand for apprenticeships far outstrips supply and they're proving increasingly popular with young people and adults alike. More and more people will reach the threshold of university education through vocational routes, such as apprenticeships. Our education system must be able accommodate those people and help them gain higher levels of skills and qualifications."

Ministers will be considering a fresh form of vocational degree over the next coming months.

Vocational route

Meet Role Models that have been involved in the apprenticeship scheme.

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