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Alliance disappointed with piecemeal approach to qualification reform

NEWS RELEASE

23 February 2005

Alliance disappointed with piecemeal approach to qualification reform

Responding to the Government's announcement today regarding qualification reform for 14-19 year olds, Michael Freeston, Director of Training and Quality Assurance at the Pre-school Learning Alliance said:

"We welcome the Government's commitment to improve vocational training, as this will undoubtedly contribute towards the aim of increasing the qualified childcare workforce by 180,000. However, the Alliance is disappointed that the Government has rejected a key proposal of the Tomlinson Report to create a single qualification framework, covering both academic and vocational study.

Historically, vocational qualifications have been seen as second rate to GSCE's and A Levels. Consequently careers requiring such qualifications are seen in themselves as inferior. The Tomlinson Report proposed that this perceived or real distinction was eradicated."

The Pre-school Learning Alliance is a national education charity and is campaigning to increase the childcare workforce, by promoting opportunities for work and volunteering with younger children and securing a consistent structure in terms of training opportunities, pay and terms and conditions. The Tomlinson reforms would have created a qualification framework that supported these developments and facilitated learners' progression into the Framework for Achievement currently being introduced for adult qualifications.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Louise Banks,
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7278 9037
Out of hours press calls: 07979 531 130
E: Louise Banks,

Notes for Editors:

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance links 15,000 pre-schools and 500,000 young children and their families in England. Established in 1961 and registered as an educational charity, the Alliance is the national dimension of the pre-school movement. The charity is involved in more Sure Start projects than any other organisation and operates a number of Neighbourhood Nurseries. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: www.pre-school.org.uk.
  2. The Alliance is currently running a two strand Campaign, changing lives, changing life, which seeks to improve the quality of early years services for children and their parents. Meeting the Workforce Challenge is a part of this campaign. Further information about the Alliance’s campaigns is available from www.pre-school.org.uk or by phoning the campaign team on 020 7833 0991
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