All students should have access to vocational and academic programmes of study, and the resulting qualifications must be comprehensible to employers, students and learning providers.
On 14 March 2012 our UK exam board OCR launched Cambridge Technicals which are a new alternative for students who have completed their Key Stage 4 education (or equivalent) and want to pursue a more practical, work-related route.
Following consultation with employers, industry specialists and teachers, the knowledge and skills embedded in the new Cambridge Technicals will provide relevant experience for students wishing to progress into employment or higher education. Cambridge Technicals have UCAS points so they are recognised for entry to higher education, and because of their real-world relevance and close alignment with current industrial practice they fit the needs of the workplace.
The Cambridge Technicals are offered as Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in Business, IT, and Health and Social Care, for teaching by schools and colleges from September 2012. Qualifications in Media, Art and Design, Science and Sport will follow from this September to broaden the subject range.
A series of free training events for teachers will take place over the next few months. For further details visit https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-technicals/.