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GCSE Results Announced As Parent's Adopt New Attitudes to Children's Future

Today it’s been revealed that rising job competition and record youth unemployment is leading parents to become more and more accepting of their children’s ‘alternative’ career choices.
Education - 23 August 2012   Download IconContent available for download:  
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As thousands of pupils across the UK eagerly await their GCSE results this morning, new research reveals that as competition for jobs increases, so has parents’ acceptance of less traditional career choices.

Today, over three quarters of parents (78%) say they would support their child if they decided to take a vocational qualification and when compared with 2008, 10% more think everyone should study at least one vocational subject at school. In addition, 62% of parents feel that including vocational qualifications could help their children to compete in an increasingly difficult job market.

A leading education charity is lobbying the Government to introduce a thread of these lessons in the national curriculum. They say the shifting attitude of parents is an extremely positive sign since youth unemployment still remains at an all time high. With less emphasis placed on University and a more diversified education system, they claim this will better prepare children for adult life, not just to pass exams.

. Introduction:

For pupils currently waiting in nervous suspense for their GCSE results, research today has revealed that parents are becoming more accepting of other alternative options to University. And with the number of ‘NEET’ teenagers at an all time high and competition for jobs increasing, this shift in attitudes has been viewed as a positive change.

So, a leading education charity is lobbying the Government to introduce more practical lessons in schools. How can young people and their parents embrace these less traditional paths to a successful future?

Joining us to discuss this further is Jan Hodges, CEO of The Edge Foundation.