14–19 diplomas and higher education

This article describes the involvement of higher education and business in the development of new vocational qualifications for 14-19 year-olds in Eng- land. It is intended that this ‘co-production’ will lead to a set of qualifications which have an ‘applied’ character and which support progression into both employment and higher education. Natio- nal availability, strong brand promotion and the inclusion of functional and generic skills are inten- ded to encourage continued participation in edu- cation/training. Relatively low participation in edu- cation/training post-16 is perceived as a particular problem in England. The Diploma complements new legislation that requires all 17 years-olds to remain in education or training by 2013 and all 18 year-olds by 2015. The article considers how the facility for progression from Diplomas to university affects the success of the reform and explores possible con- nections between Diplomas and previously intro- duced two year vocational degrees in English uni- versities. The article ends with a brief review of how the Diploma reform addresses issues of social inclusion in higher education