ABSTRACT
Vocational education is seen as the 'passing on of manual skills from one generation to the next' and 'on the job' education. In schools it is accepted that the academic route may not be appropriate for some pupils and different courses and qualifications are being established. This chapter describes the development of vocational education in UK schools and the role that design and technology can play in this. Diplomas are designed for the 14—19 ages phase and are planned in levels. Traditionally, manufacturing industry and trades such as construction have repeatedly raised the issue of skill shortages, but other employment sectors are also experiencing difficulties recruiting. Vocational education and enterprise education should be a real option even for those on course for Oxbridge; vocational education is for the student who wants to be an architect as well as the student who shows an interest in becoming a builder.
