Educational provision in Scotland for pupils at the end of their
secondary school career has for many years meant either some form of
vocational training or more advanced study in a college or university.
In the past, the opportunity of entry to university and to the
professions was available to a minority. Opportunities available for
those leaving school at the statutory leaving age and for those leaving
school after completing a full secondary course, but without
qualifications to enter a higher education institution, have been in
vocational training and further education. This situation has changed
considerably in recent years.
Vocational Training and Further Education
There
have been vocational training institutions of one kind or another in
Scotland for well over 200 years, matching the development of industry.
In the course of the 20th century the system of vocational education
and training changed several times to reflect the needs of the world of
work and to match changes in industrial and commercial practices. Such
changes were brought about, for example, by new technology, new
educational thinking and the aspirations of people seeking to acquire
new skills or improve the ones they already possessed.
Vocational
training developed in a number of different ways. At the beginning of
the 20th century the need for high level professional and vocational
education was met by the foundation of establishments called Central
Institutions. These institutions, over the years, in response to a
demand by various professions for degree-level qualifications, came to
offer degree-level courses. They tended to specialise in particular
areas, for example in art and architecture; music and drama; health
care; food; tourism. Alongside these also grew up the Colleges of
Education, which were designed to train teachers, although, as time
passed, they branched out into the training of other professionals, for
example in social work and youth work.
At another level further
education developed to meet the training needs of industry. The 1960s
saw a considerable expansion of further education places in colleges
that were part of the educational provision of local authorities.
Forty-three of these colleges became incorporated (i.e.,
self-governing) from 1 April 1993. In the 1980s, major changes in the
organisation of courses and assessment took place as a result of the
then Scottish Office Education Department’s 16+ Action Plan, which set
up a modular system of training. To oversee the new modular system the
Scottish Vocational Education Council (SCOTVEC) was established, taking
over and developing the work of the two previous examining bodies:
SCOTEC for technical education and SCOTBEC for business education. On 1
April 1997 the Scottish Examination Board (SEB) and SCOTVEC merged to form the
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in preparation for the unified curricula to be implemented in schools, colleges and training centres.
Colleges,
independent trainers and employers in the workplace offer vocational
education and training. The colleges offer a wide range of programmes
from access level to professional level. The programmes are constructed
from "building blocks" of units and are designed to meet the specific
needs of employers and other users. They include "core skills", as well
as suitable blends of theory and practice. Some are designed to
incorporate extensive periods of skills development in college
workshops and other specialist areas.
Sector Skills Councils
(SSCs) form a UK-wide network of representative organisations. SSCs are
the recognised national strategic bodies responsible for identifying
the skills, education and training needs of their sector and
maintaining national occupational standards for jobs within it.
Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) – and National Vocational Qualifications
(NVQ) in the rest of the UK – are based on these standards. SSCs are
responsible for influencing policy and delivery of education and
training, on behalf of their sector, to ensure that these needs are
met. They are also responsible for gathering labour market information
and intelligence and for workforce development planning. The Sector
Skills Development Agency (SSDA) performs a similar function for
occupational areas that are not covered by a SSC.
Universities and Higher Education
University
education in Scotland has a long history. Four universities – St
Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, known collectively as the
four ancient Scottish universities, – were founded in the 15th and 16th
centuries. Four further universities – Strathclyde, Heriot-Watt,
Stirling and Dundee – were formally established as independent
universities between 1964 and 1967. Four others – Napier, Paisley,
Robert Gordon and Glasgow Caledonian – were granted the title of
university in 1992, as was the University of Abertay, Dundee, in 1994,
and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 1998. The University of
Paisley and the Higher Education Institution, Bell College, Hamilton,
merged in 2007 as the University of the West of Scotland. As the Open
University also operates in Scotland, the total number of universities
is now 15.
The remaining four higher education institutions,
although not themselves universities, all offer courses at degree
level. They are the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (in
Glasgow), the Glasgow School of Art, the Edinburgh College of Art and
the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Millennium Institute,
which comprises 15 partner colleges. (The former Duncan of Jordanstone
College of Art is now part of the University of Dundee.)
Colleges providing further education programmes also offer higher education courses and qualifications.
Participation
rates in higher education have increased steadily in recent years. The
UK Government’s forecast that well over 40% of young Scots would enter
higher education courses by the turn of the 20th century was realised
and the figure stands now at almost 50%. Because growth in numbers
entering higher education has been more rapid than the Government
anticipated, they are now being held steady during a period of
consolidation. Nevertheless, the UK Government and the Scottish
Government remain committed to the efficient and continuing expansion
of higher education in the longer term.
Organisations Providing Information and Advice
Learndirect
scotland, Careers Scotland and Future Skills Scotland provide learners
with a comprehensive range of information and advice to enable them to
make informed decisions about their future. Learndirect scotland
provides information on learning opportunities available throughout
Scotland, from "bite-sized" through to full-time vocational courses.
Careers Scotland provides in-depth guidance on possible future careers
and skills required. Future Skills Scotland assesses future skills
needs in the ever changing economic climate. Learndirect scotland and
Careers Scotland have now been incorporated in Skills Development
Scotland.
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