Campaign to help u-turn on GCSE requirements for Apprenticeships
There is hope that Government will listen to people’s views about the GCSE requirements for early years educators apprenticeships and make a U-turn on the decision.
A campaign was launched in April by Cache to help convince the Department for Education on making a U-turn for the GCSE requirements. It is believed that an alternative qualification such as functional skills should be allowed.
The GCSE requirement is causing many childcare providers issues with recruitment, with some nurseries being unable to recruit qualified practitioners. The idea of reinstated an equivalent qualification for the GCSE rule will help rectify the issues childcare providers are having. Early years settings will be able to recruit the employees they require and help them progress in their careers.
For many people, the idea of having to do their GCSE Maths and English has become less attractive causing the low amount of people joining the childcare sector.
Everyone is encouraged to voice their opinion and make their concerns heard.
The consultation will run until November 28
So these apprenticeships. If a youngster needs to have a GCSE to qualify for one as say a bricklayer will the qualified bricklayer acting as their mentor/trainer need the same. If no then why does the apprentice need one. If yes you may find a shortage of mentors.
This is a very valid point Colin.
The gcse requirement is unfair on childcare apprentices and putting good practitioners off a professional where they belong. Not all passionate and outstanding practitioners have gcse grade c in both maths and English. Functional skills alongside the childcare qualification allows practitioners to up skill in maths and English alongside their apprenticeship training. Please revert back to functional skills and keep our high quality balance of practitioners!
Well said Sally
Hallelujah- is someone taking this seriously at long last? At 48 I found myself in this position after the mighty department of education deemed me unqualified after thirty years of being a professional, dedicated practitioner. The stress has been unbearable, not to mention that it’s destroyed my self esteem, created self doubt and had a detrimental effect on my home life.
It is very sad that the change in requirements can leave dedicated practitioners feeling this way.
I’m currently doing my level 3 but feel the work may not be worth it as I’m worried I won’t pass my GCSE maths and gain a c. I got a D when I originally did my GCSE s and I have since done an NVQ in management where I passed my maths for it. Surely this certificate is enough. I’m worried I’ll have gone through this for nothing.
Yes it needs to be u turned. As i am nearly qualified but cant be classed as one till i pass my maths
I own a nursery and have problems recruiting qualified staff at the moment, most of my long standing members of staff do not have GCSE in maths and English yet are the most amazing practitioners, we have all said that we would not be in this job if the rule was to have these qualifications prior to training. Please don’t make this a ruling as it will put of amazing people from going into childcare
Thanks in advance
This is a very valid point Sarah, many practitioners who have been in this career for years with a wealth of experience do not always have the required GCSE’s and things like this can impact highly on their self esteem and confidence in their role, as they may no longer feel ‘good enough.’