Yesterday, the latest set of GCSE exam results went out to another generation of hopeful youngsters across the UK.
For those receiving their results on Thursday, whether it meant either the elation of success or the disappointment of failure, it also meant having to make a choice.
Essentially there are three options, studying A-levels, Highers, baccalaureates, or the new Cambridge Diploma, opting for apprenticeships and joining the work force, or going for the newer government Diplomas introduced a few years ago.
The A-Levels, baccalaureates and newer Cambridge Pre-University (CPU) qualifications are fairly straight forward; they are qualifications designed to measure an applicant’s ability to get into university.
In deciding to go to university, it is crucial to establish which degree you wish to study and why. Otherwise you could end up wasting four years of your life learning a subject that is of little use either in finding work or even in day to day life.
Going to university
In 2011, the BBC claimed that gaining a degree added a further £12,000 on average to a person’s annual earnings. More, recently, The Times Higher Education supplement set the increased earning power of a degree education to roughly, £250,000 more over a life time. However for some, nothing could be less attractive than further study and this is why vocational courses and the modern apprenticeship schemes appeal to many seeking alternative means of gaining further qualifications.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are the other traditional choice. By hands on learning in a work environment, you can receive training that will form the foundation of a career in that apprenticeship’s discipline. While the recession continues in so much of Europe, with some entire nation states crippled by economic woes, Germany has led the way economically. For some, this is due to the prevalence of apprenticeships in German society.
It is important to remember however, that German apprenticeships have been an important part of Germanic society since the middle ages. In the UK, although they also developed from the same historical period, apprenticeships have declined in popularity since the 1960s, hitting their lowest levels by the 90s. Since then of course, governments have been trying to fix the problem, but we are a still a long way behind. This doesn’t mean that taking an apprenticeship is necessarily a bad decision; it’s just something that, like opting for a degree, requires consideration.
Diplomas
Diplomas, which are a lot newer, are supposedly a happy medium between both study and apprenticeships. Youngsters aged between 14 and 19 can choose from a relatively comprehensive selection of different industries, and begin a combination of work in the class room complimented by hands on experience in the work place.
Be warned however, as these courses have come under a great deal of scrutiny from journalists and government ministers alike due to the constant U-turns taken by the government on the suitability and usefulness of these new qualifications in gaining employment or entering higher education. That being the case, until the kinks in this option are ironed out, then perhaps it’s safer to stick to the already established, traditional methods
The most interesting thing is that the advent of this new government diploma clearly displays an underlying need to be able to mix studies with work in order to give people better preparation for entering the job market.
Online education
If that is the case then perhaps it is worthwhile considering supported online education as well as the three already mentioned.
By selecting a part time online course, one suddenly has the flexibility necessary to be able to work and learn at the same time. On top of that, many supported online courses offer a hands-on approach to learning, educating through work related experience, using industry standard tools.
As with any decision such as this, a great deal of time and consideration is needed before rushing into any choice. It should go without saying that the suitability of each option depends on the individual and what their strengths are. Whatever decision they might make, we wish all those receiving their GCSE results today the best of luck in the future.
By Leo Robb
Education Correspondent, Interactive Design Institute
