A Special Day

Speaking at Wakefield College's Graduation Ceremony in the City's Cathedral last week, Margaret Coleman, Executive Director of the West Yorkshire Learning & Skills Council, said this special day made it clear for all to see that learning unlocks potential.

Graduation Day Photos 2002

She told the 152 graduates, "You have all realised the importance of learning, but too many have not and we have to transform the learning culture of the nation, to encourage young people not to drop out at 16, and also encourage those back into learning for whom the school gates are a dim and distant memory.

Paying tribute to College and its staff for their continuing dedication and energy in a wide range of learning initiatives across the Wakefield area, Ms Coleman said whilst the 'traditional' academic route was right for some, it was not right everyone. She said 'vocational' had for too long been a word that conjured up images of cold workshops, dirty hands and poor self esteem - the 'technical stream' where 'less able' pupils went.

"For too long we have revered the intellectual over the practical. We have to change that and help people see learning differently. Every country in the industrialised world is looking at its education system for 14-19 year-olds. We are no exception. Our historic weaknesses are clear: a weak offer for those who want to pursue a vocational orientation to their studies, and a narrow offer on the A level track.

"Vocational GCSEs and the expansion of modern apprenticeships are part of the answer, as is a broader Advanced level curriculum. There has also been much talk of us adopting the Baccalaureate and we have much to learn from the model, but we need a solution that is relevant to our English education system. This new approach could lead to a high quality and easily recognisable qualification - a 'Brit~Bacc' - at age 18 or 19, with a choice of specialisms taken up by some students at 16."

But, said Ms Coleman, any future reform involving education must be neither piecemeal tinkering nor massive change within two-terms. A 10-year time-scale was needed to get the process right.

"If people see learning as a gateway to a better future they will want it. But if they see it as a chore, or worse, an imposition, then nothing will change. And that is a challenge for us all. It begins in the home with families learning together, and it should flourish, develop and mature in school, college and at work.

"We must create learning families, learning communities and learning cities, a learning society in which everyone has the opportunity to go as far as their talents and efforts will take them. Learning strengthens families, builds stronger neighbourhoods, helps older people stay healthy and active, and encourages independence for all by opening up new opportunities," she said.

In all, some 360 students graduated from Wakefield College this year, in subjects including Education, Computing, Personnel, Building Studies, Childhood Studies, Care, Sports Studies, Music, Engineering, Business & Management, Travel & Tourism, Catering, Multimedia, Theatre, Marketing, Art & Design and Accounting, many of whom have gone on to do top-up degrees at university.

ENDS