Down Teacher Highlights earnings Potential Of Technical Qualifications.
The community needs to crack the mindset that A-levels are the only route to better earnings, according to a Killyleagh teacher.
“Parents come from a generation where A-levels and a degree were the aspirational academic achievement, however, that’s all changing – along with the huge shift in job opportunities available to today’s young people,” warned Carney Cumper, vice principal of Killyleagh Integrated Primary and President of the Ulster Teachers’ Union.
Mrs Cumper was speaking as a new report from the Department of Education revealed that studying for technical qualifications – which are between A-levels and a full undergraduate degree – can boost earning potential and employability.
“The report states that employers in a range of sectors – including IT and engineering – suggest there is a growing demand for these foundation courses, known as level 4 or 5 qualifications
“It shows too that students who have achieved a level 4 or 5 qualification by the age of 23 had higher median wages – of around £2,000 – by the time they were 26 than those with A-level qualifications. Yet only a small minority are undertaking training at this level.
“It’s important that pupils and their parents realise the full potential of such qualifications, though with some universities now floating unconditional offers it’s perhaps easy to see why some young people go for the certain option rather than the grade-dependent one.
“This report, however, shows how learning at level 4 and 5 can benefit people of all ages and a wide variety of backgrounds, whilst helping employers get the skilled workforce they need.
“Indeed there are many people for whom a traditional university experience doesn’t suit, for a variety of reasons – for instance, people who need to earn while they learn, who prefer their learning to be applied in their job or who know from experience that they just don’t flourish in classroom learning settings.
“Encouraging young people like this to take the chance to improve their skills and their earning potential isn’t just addressing the needs of the employers but it’s expanding access to education too.”
