Labour conference: Qualifications would be developed 'in partnership' with professionals

Speaking at a party conference fringe event, Kevin Brennan said the proposed qualification would build upon existing high-quality vocational programmes, such as the National BTEC Awards.

“In taking this forward, I’m convinced that we need two things: to build a strong, broad consensus with teachers, educationalists, parents and business. And you need to be able to pilot it,” he said.

“It makes sense to use existing high-quality qualifications as the building blocks for a new technical qualification. That is the direction of travel we will go in.”

Brennan argued that Labour's plans are in contrast with the Education Secretary Michael Gove’s approach to GCSE reforms.

“It is ludicrous that he [Gove] wants to introduce a major, high-stakes reform of qualifications at 16 without any piloting or consensus around what he’s proposing,” he said. “We do need to have major and quite radical reform around qualifications at 16, not something that Michael Gove dreams up and leaks to the Mail on Sunday.”

Brennan added that whether Gove’s plans for Key Stage 4 reform become a reality depends on the results of the next general election. “They won’t even start until beyond the next general election, so there are very serious question marks about whether he can deliver it,” he said.

During his keynote address to the conference, Labour Party leader Ed Miliband claimed that the ‘Tech Bacc’, to be taken at age 18, would be “a new gold standard qualification” to be “proud of”. “We can’t be a country where vocational qualifications are seen as second class,” he said.

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said the Technical Baccalaureate should be a step towards an overarching diploma that recognises both vocational and educational achievement.

“We need a proper debate on the future of the examination system especially in light of the intention to increase school participation age to 18. It really is vitally important that teachers are consulted in this process,” she said. ?

“Failure to do so will continue down the path of change being implemented on whims and fancies, not sound educational evidence and advice.

“If the Labour Party is serious about an education system which benefits all and not the few, we need to see a reversal of the break up and privatisation of our schools system. It also needs to be well-funded. A world class education system cannot be built on the cheap.”