The document outlines the UK government's strategy to reform qualifications for 14-19 year olds by streamlining options into four main routes by 2013: GCSEs/A-Levels; Diplomas; Apprenticeships; and Foundation Learning. It discusses current qualification levels and the aims of making the system more flexible while emphasizing skills. The strategy is intended to produce students with skills needed for employment, including teamwork, communication, problem-solving and IT literacy, to allow UK employers to compete globally.

1. The National Strategies In March 2008, the DCSF published a consultation paper, 'Promoting achievement, valuing success: A strategy for 14-19 qualifications', which sets out the our intention to create a more streamlined and more understandable qualifications system for young people aged 14-19 in England. The consultation document set out a vision for 2013, by when we want to have a streamlined system based on four nationally-available qualification routes: GCSE and A-Level; Diplomas; Apprenticeships; and Foundation Learning. In the future, the we want the majority of young people to follow learning programmes that fall within one of these four routes.

2. Functional Skills within GCSE At this moment we have several progression routes to achieve success. As well as GCSE usually provided by schools there are several vocational qualifications usually provided by colleges, or training boards. These include NVQ, BTEC and City and Guilds. With the raise in the leaving age these vocational courses incorporated into the school curriculum. Functional skills will now form a part of GCSE courses.

3. Some of the courses available to KS 3, 4 , 5 students Level 2 Intermediate NVQ Level 2 GNVQ Intermediate GCSEs Grades A* - C City & Guilds National Diploma OCN Level 2 BTEC First Diploma Level 3 Advanced NVQ Level 3 Vocational A Levels (AVCE) AS, A and A2 Level BTEC National Diploma OCN Level 3 City & Guilds Advanced National Diploma Level 4 NVQ Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) Higher National Diploma (HND) Foundation Degree

4. The Aims of the New Strategies Reduce prescription and increase flexibility – less prescription but more focus on key concepts and processes in subjects. Make more room for personalisation and locally determined curriculum. Place more emphasis on skills – functional and wider skills for learning and life.

5. Purpose of the New Strategies This is a new 14-19 qualification that has been designed by organisations that represent the people who will employ you as well as people in education. It’s like a compilation album with 5 tracks. Track 1 is called ‘principle learning’ Track 2 is ‘Personal Learning and Thinking Skills’ Track 3 is ‘Functional Skills’ Track 4 is ‘Additional specialist Learning’ and Track 5 is ‘Project’

6. What Employers need to Compete in the World Economy People Skills: Teamwork; Leadership; Interpersonal Skills; Oral Communication; Written Communication Self-Reliance Skills: Self-Awareness; Networking; Time Management Generalist Skills: Problem-Solving; IT / ICT / Computer Literacy; Flexibility / Adaptability; Numeracy; Commitment / Motivation; Commercial Awareness Source : University of Liverpool

7. The New National Strategies Will allow students to develop functional skills as well as the more traditional learning outcomes. Allows students to achieve to their best ability ensuring that lower ability learners can also achieve. Produce students into the workplace who have the skills to gain employment. Employers need to employ people who can enable them to compete in the global market .

8. Implications The new framework gives teachers 2 extra years to progress students learning. Gives tutors the flexibility to personalise students learning. Allows students to develop the skills needed for working life. Enables employers to compete in the global marketplace by ensuring that students entering employment have the technical and functional skills required to compete.