This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Skills for work courses
19/06/2006
Hairdressing and engineering could be on the timetable for school pupils next term.
The courses are among the new subjects being piloted as Skills for Work courses aimed primarily at giving 14-16 year olds the chance to gain qualifications.
At a conference in Edinburgh today, representatives from Scotland's 32 councils had the chance to find out more about the Skills for Work pilot courses and learn from the experiences of other schools and colleges.
Education Minister Peter Peacock said:
"Skills for Work courses allow young people of all abilities to gain valuable and recognised qualifications while also learning employability and vocational skills that may boost their future employment prospects or lead to further education.
"In August, around 300 youngsters will receive the first Skills for Work qualifications on their certificates as they drop onto doormats alongside Higher and Standard Grade qualifications.
"Every youngster deserves the chance to realise their full potential and that's why it's vital that we have a range of courses and qualifications which meet their needs, keep them engaged and equip them with the skills they need for their future success whether that is in employment or further study.
"Skills for Work courses have quickly proved to be a popular and welcome addition to our qualifications mix. Next year, pupils will have a wider choice of courses to choose from and we expect over 5,000 pupils will be working for Skills for Work courses."
Five Skills for Work courses, in four subject areas, were piloted for the first time in 2005-06:
- Construction Craft - Intermediate 1
- Early Education and Childcare - Intermediate 1 and 2
- Financial Services - Intermediate 2
- Sport and Recreation - Intermediate 1
The additional courses to be piloted in 2006-07 will be:
- Construction Craft - Intermediate 2
- Sport and Recreation - Intermediate 2
- Rural Skills - Intermediate 1
- Hairdressing - Intermediate 1
- Practical experiences: Construction and Engineering - Access 3
Developing Skills for Work courses, aimed primarily at 14-16 year olds, was one of the initiatives announced as part of Ambitious, Excellent Schools, the Executive's far-reaching education reform programme.