Route Markers for the Educational Journey - Page 2 of 2 |
e-skills NTO claims to have responsibility for "skill issues" both in the IT industry and in IT in general. But when questioned about acquiring new skills for a career in IT their advice was "go to a Careers Office". So where, I wonder, do the Careers Offices get their information? The somewhat opaque e-skills NTO website was a recent subject of Website of the Week, see www.odlqc.org.uk/ww-17.htm, or the back page for an abridged version.
QCA said to approach the local FE College for a list of qualifications, and to choose one in the "national framework" which, they explained, would usually be an NVQ. Asked directly about the widely advertised Microsoft qualifications, the man explained that that would be a personal decision, as they are not part of this framework, but admitted that they are valued by employers.
The route to success?
Learning works best when the learner is in the driving seat. But those looking for new skills, and those, like us, trying to assist them, need to know where to go for advice on the road ahead. All our snapshot shows is that the maps and signposts available to learners are patchy at best.
The danger is that frustrated learners may either give up on the idea of distance (or any) further learning; or may choose the option with the most persuasive salesperson. And that may well be the road to nowhere rather than the pathway to success.
Or the end is nigh
At least government supports learner drivers. Or do they? Margaret Hodge (now Minister for Lifelong Learning & Higher Education), interviewed in THES (15th June), bemoaned the fact that she only got a third at LSE. She blamed it on her teachers. "I should have been forced to do more work", she complained, "It was outrageous". So much for learners in control then. And it looks like it's detention for us, for being cheeky in class.
Elspeth Harrison & David Morley
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