IEE welcomes equal emphasis on vocational skills

The IEE has expressed its pleasure at the government’s recognition, in the White Paper on the reform of the 14-19 education system, that good quality vocational skills, particularly in engineering and software development, are every bit as demanding and relevant as traditional academic achievement.

The IEE’s director of qualifications, Dorrie Giles, said: “We welcome the government’s recognition of the importance of vocational courses and that they need to be supported by strong maths skills. Engineering needs the brightest people and they have to have a strong grounding in science and mathematics, whether they choose the vocational or academic route.