meet the needs of the economy

Question 1

Conservative 1979-1997 - Meeting the needs of the economy

Answer 1

1988 Education Reform Act and YTS (Youth training scheme)

1988 ERA - Introduction of the national curriculum. Offered a standardised education for all students, with the aim of creating a better numerate, literate and skilled workforce.

YTS - On the job training for 16-17 year old NEETS – Trainees were paid if on a course – If they refused the opportunity they lost their benefit allowance.

Question 2

New Labour 1997-2010 - Meeting the needs of the economy

Answer 2

14-19 Diploma and Literacy and Numeracy

14-19 Diploma - Vocational Qualification could be gained for a range of ‘lines of learning’. Provides a respected route into further and higher education or employment. Focus on theory, maths and english.

Literacy and numeracy - Numeracy and literacy were embedded within lessons with the aim of creating a more numerate/literate workforce.

Question 3

Coalition 2010-2015 - Meeting the needs of the economy

Answer 3

Adaption of apprenticeships and GCSE / A level reform

Adaption of apprenticeships (expanded under David Cameron) - Ability to ‘earn whilst you learn’ –Gets young people ready for the workplace. ‘Trained in skills employers want’.

GCSE / A level reform - With the aim of making qualifications ‘harder’ in order to raise standards of students making us a better qualified and skilled nation. New grading system, added more content.

Both of these continue after 2015.

Question 4

Finn (Contemporary Marxist) - Not meeting the needs of the economy

Answer 4

Contemporary Marxist
Argues that vocation qualifications just prepare young people to accept low paid, low-skilled work rather than training them in specific vocations.

Question 5

Thompson (Contemporary Marxist) - Not meeting the needs of the economy

Answer 5

Contemporary Marxist
The function of youth training was to produce a pool of low-skilled, cheap labour for capitalism (reserve army of labour).

Question 6

Usher, Bryant and Johnson (Postmodernist) - Not meeting the needs of the economy

Answer 6

Postmodernist
Postmodernists suggest that in order to meet the needs of the economy more diversity and choice needs to be added to HOW we learn and WHAT we learn. Usher, Bryant and Johnston look at how education can be used to influence people’s identity.

This would be supported by Liberal thinkers who state education should develop individuals by teaching them a range of subjects rather than restricting them.