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Sheila Edward, Elisabet Weedon and Sheila Riddell, University of Edinburgh, Centre for Research in Education, Inclusion and Diversity

ISBN 978 0 7559 7169 5 (Web only publication)
ISSN 0950 2254

This document is also available in pdf format (760k)

This Full report is also accompanied by Attitudes to Vocational Learning: A Literature Review research findings 37/2008.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 Background
1.1 Purpose
1.2 Definition of Vocational Learning
1.3 Research design and methodology
2 Key Findings
2.1 Policy Context: the skills agenda
2.2 Policy context: the schools agenda
2.3 Subject choices and achievements at school and beyond
2.4 Young people's attitudes to vocational learning in school
2.5 Choosing vocational or other options
2.6 Attitudes of teachers, careers officers and other staff in schools
2.7 Perspectives of staff in further and higher education
2.8 Attitudes of parents and other family members
2.9 Attitudes of employers
3 Gaps in understanding of attitudes towards vocational learning
3.1 The policy agenda
3.2 Gaps in understanding of young people's attitudes
3.3 Gaps in understanding of other stakeholders' attitudes
4 Suggestions for further research

LIST OF FIGURES & TABLES

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
1.1 What do we mean by vocational learning?
1.2 Research Design and Methodology
1.3 Structure of this report

CHAPTER TWO THE POLICY CONTEXT
2.1 The Skills Agenda
2.2 The Schools Agenda
2.3 Conclusions

CHAPTER THREE SUBJECT CHOICES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AT SCHOOL AND BEYOND
3.1 The curriculum
3.2 Pupil numbers and staying on rates in Secondary and Further Education
3.3 Subject uptake and achievement in Standard Grade and Highers
3.4 Destinations of school leavers
3.4.1 Overall population summary
3.4.2 Destination and social background
3.4.3 Gender
3.4.4 Ethnicity
3.4.5 Urban/rural
3.4.6 Positive and other destinations
3.4.7 Young people in training
3.4.8 Young people not in education, employment or training
3.5 Conclusions

CHAPTER 4: YOUNG PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES TO VOCATIONAL LEARNING
4.1 School pupils' attitudes to vocational learning
4.1.1 Precursors of Skills for Work
4.1.2 Skills for Work: a change of emphasis?
4.1.3 Targeting the disaffected
4.2 What influences the choices of learning for young people?
4.3 Other young people in college, schools, workplaces, or not in education, employment or training
4.4 Conclusions

CHAPTER 5: VIEWS OF OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
5.1 Attitudes to Vocational Learning in the School
5.2 Perspectives of Staff in Further and Higher Education
5.3 Attitudes of parents and other family members
5.4 Employers' Attitudes
5.5 Conclusions

CHAPTER SIX CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
6.1 Gaps in the picture
6.1.1 The policy agenda
6.1.2 Do we know enough about young people's attitudes to vocational learning?
6.1.3 Is there more to learn about attitudes of teachers and other professionals?
6.1.4 The power of parents?
6.1.5 Do we understand enough about employers' attitudes?

REFERENCES

APPENDIX ONE Details of the search
APPENDIX TWO Statistical Tables accompanying Chapter 3

The views expressed in the report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Scottish Government or any other organisation(s) by which the author(s) is/are employed.

It should be noted that since this research was commissioned a new Scottish government has been formed, which means that the report reflects commitments and strategic objectives conceived under the previous administration. The policies, strategies, objectives and commitments referred to in this report should not therefore be treated as current Government policy necessarily.

The Scottish Government is making this research report available online in order to provide access to its contents for those interested in the subject. The Executive commissioned the research but has not exercised editorial control over the report.

This web only report is accompanied by the web only research findings 37/2008 " Attitudes to Vocational Learning: A Literature Review ".

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