3. Statistics suggest that white middle class
students are more inclined to follow
traditional academic A Levels whereas
working class and ethnic minority students
are over represented on vocational courses
There are still issues surrounding
“parity of
esteem ”

4. Finn 1987
It provides cheap labour rather than
meaningful
training
It depresses wages for young
workers
It artificially reduces politically
embarrassing
unemployment statistics
permanently
It removes young from the streets
and therefore
reduces crime
Working class students get
“trained” middle class
students get “educated”

5. Marxist Sociologist Phil
Cohen 1984 -
the real purpose of New
Vocationalism
is social control. To
create good
behaviour and discipline
rather than
training for work. Young
people who
refuse to take part are
‘punished’ by
having benefits
withdrawn.