Lord Baker brought the question of vocational education to the
fore at the Sunday Times Education Festival today, with a speech in
favour of University Technical Colleges and the reasons they will
succeed where other similar innovations have failed. In the current
educational climate, it is clear that the institutions must cater
to the requirements of a new generation of learners, not all of
whom will have the same talents and aspirations:
"The motivation of young people has to start at an early age and
so it is important that they should receive as much knowledge,
experience and awareness of a wide range of subjects in their
studies at school. During that time certain instincts and
interests will emerge, and some will find that their bent is more
towards a practical education." UTCs will have the capacity to
kindle young people's interest in a range of learning opportunities
before they can lose it.
The situation is also beneficial for the universities that have
taken the colleges on. Lord Baker speaks of their keenness to
involve themselves in the project: "We have found them to be very
keen to engage the interest and enthusiasm of youngsters at the age
of 14 in their particular specialisms." This exciting development
places UTCs at the centre of vocational education in the UK
today.