Vocational Training Strategy (relating to Vocational Training)

 

The strategy’s starting point is the 25% of Glasgow’s young school leavers who become unemployed. As early as 2002 the authority recognised the need to tackle this by widening the curricular offer in the city’s schools. In practice this consisted of a varied menu of vocational options designed to stimulate and engage young people who may not always respond to the traditional academic curriculum.

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Key Objectives
The key objectives of the schools vocational training programmes as set out in the strategy are to:

  • Provide additional choice for school pupils between 14 to 16 years of age
  • Offer flexibility which ensures a broadly balanced curriculum for pupils
  • Provide an alternative learning and teaching experience for pupils of all abilities – balancing theory and practical work
  • Allow pupils an opportunity to achieve a vocational qualification by designing different types of learning and teaching activities in to the mainstream curriculum
  • Allow pupils two years experience of vocational education and training thus enhancing employability skills leading to improved employment opportunities


The strategy places great emphasis on participants emerging with a clearer idea of key employability characteristics. These are defined as:

  • good attendance
  • good behaviour
  • punctuality
  • teamworking
  • communication
  • self discipline.

 

Educational Gain
There is a strong focus on ensuring that there is clear educational gain for all participants through vocational study. These courses lead to accredited qualifications which can complement those gained within the mainstream school system.

 

In 2006, Vocational Training took over the co-ordination of the existing 6 stand alone council SEG contracts and combined them into two corporate contracts, one for skillseekers/modern apprentices and the other for Training for Work.  This provided Glasgow City Council with the opportunity to achieve greater economies of scale and reduce competition with one another. 

 

Vocational Training administers Scottish Enterprise records for over 520 skillseekers and modern apprentices and 60 for Training for Work candidates.

 

Recruitment Process
The formation of a corporate contract also requires that Vocational Training co-ordinates the recruitment process for all council programmes. One campaign and one series of adverts make the process more efficient and co-ordinated.  On average, 2800 application forms per annum are received for council programmes. 

 

This co-ordinated approach not only ensures that young people who have followed vocational programmes under the auspices of the Council are well placed to access these opportunities but that we are now in a better position to reach as many young people in the city as possible.

 

Bringing these programmes together has given Vocational Training the chance to assess everyone in funded programmes for literacy and numeracy skills.  This ensures that they may be offered assistance before going into employment proper.  We believe this to be a unique intervention.

 

Training for Glasgow City Council employees
As well as focussing on school pupils and providing access routes to employment, the strategy also highlights the vocational training offer for GCC employees. This recognises the importance of continuous learning and professional development – at all levels within the organisation – which is becoming a consistent feature amongst all model employers.

 

Contact:
Vocational Training
House 7
94 Elmbank Street
Glasgow G2 4PF
Phone: 0141 287 6797