Get qualified if you want some real dosh
GCE ‘A’ level VCE AS level, ‘A’ level and Double Award
BTEC First and National Diploma BTEC HND/HNC GNVQ - General National Vocational Qualifications Over the next few years the GNVQ Advanced will replace many BTEC National Diploma programmes. The GNVQ normally takes two year’s of full time study to complete. The study comprises eight mandatory units, four optional, three core skills units and up to six additional units. With the additional units the GNVQ Advanced is deemed to be equivalent to approximately three ‘A’ levels. Foundation Degree Degree Dip HE NVQ If it isn’t enough to confuse everyone out there with a myriad of vocational, academic and occupational qualifications, the system is forever changing in the Government’s attempt to improve the education system. "The learning and skills sector has never been more important to the Government’s agenda than it is today. We must give further education and it’s training its proper place as a vital mainstream part of the education system" said Charles Clarke, Secretary of State for Education and Skills. On leaving school it is essential that youngsters seek the advice of a careers advisor and visit establishments of further education so that a grasp of the modern qualification system can be made and the correct paths chosen. Darlingtontown.co.uk hope to make the journey a little clearer for both students and parents and to make the standard of qualifications clearer to entrepreneurs and businesses out there. Qualifications have changed a great deal since the days of ‘O’ levels and City and Guilds. Now who can do what and what do they mean? At 16 you will hopefully have some General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSE’s) to your name. At this point, in order to gain further qualifications, there are two routes that could be followed. The first, being into a Modern Apprenticeship and the world, of work or going into further education. Modern Apprenticeships allow youngsters between the ages of 16-25 to work while gaining the relevant qualifications. Apprenticeships are available for a whole host of professions, such as carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing and electricals. Young people gain NVQ’s (National Vocational Qualifications) at levels two and three through foundation and advanced Modern Apprenticeships. The second route that could be taken is that of further education either at school, a sixth form college or college of further education. The options don’t stop there, with qualifications available ranging from BTEC’S, NVQ’s, AS and ‘A’ levels and Vocational ‘A’ levels (VCE’s). This range of qualifications seems complicated but once broken down it is apparent that there is a qualification to suit all potential students. Over the last 50 years GCE ‘A’ levels have been recognised as one of the pivotal qualifications of education after 16, and the main stepping stone to higher education at university. The introduction of many other qualifications has broadened the range of subjects that can be studied – including the introduction of vocational qualifications allowing students to study for qualifications that they enjoy and will be relevant to their future careers. Further education may not sound appealing after ten years of schooling but most would be surprised at the variety of courses and subjects that can be studied. North Tyneside College, along with other establishments in the Region, offer students hundreds of courses; ‘A’ levels in law, philosophy, PE and fine art, GNVQ’S in business, engineering and leisure and tourism and NVQ’s in commercial floristry, administration and hairdressing to name but a few. The choices are endless. The academic qualifications required to study on these courses vary
from college to college, with sixth forms also having their own entry
requirements or equivalent. Courses again are numerous and there are plenty of unusual courses, something for everyone. North Tyneside College offer, amongst others, BTEC HND television and video production and an early year’s foundation degree. There are also hundreds of universities across the country offering courses ranging from biomedical sciences to history, journalism to physical education and even courses in agricultural studies. There are vast amounts of academic qualifications and just as many vocational subjects to choose from. If choosing the type of qualification is hard, choosing the subject to study is even harder. On leaving higher education if you still don’t feel prepared enough for the career of your choice, there are numerous qualifications out there that can be undertaken. Masters degrees are available in subjects ranging from media and design, business development and even conservation of stained glass. There is no end to the subjects on offer, the University of Sunderland even offers a masters in Buddhist studies. Wonder what career this leads to? To gain entry onto the course a 2:1 degree in humanities or a social science is required. Masters are not the only post-graduate qualifications available. There are PhD’s and numerous trade qualifications that can be undertaken to become part of a professional body such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing and Institute of Public Relations. To gain membership of these types of organisation, experience and relevant qualifications are often required. Education plays a vital role in society. It can be a minefield trying to select the right course but the benefits of doing so are endless. Whether you choose to study vocational or academic subjects there is a career waiting for you at the end of it, the hard work always pays off.
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GCE
AS level