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Coventry Observer

This month I held an Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons on the issue of the West Midlands Authority’s proposed changes to fire fighter cover support for Coventry. In a bid to save almost £1m, West Midlands Fire Service has proposed withdrawing 15 fire engines from duty between midnight and 0800 GMT. This would mean a cut to Coventry night cover from seven appliances to five.

Also this month I proposed Parliamentary Questions to the Under Secretary of State for Schools at the Department for Education and Skills, Minister Derek Twigg MP. I asked the Minister, what strategy her Department is using to promote vocational education to those students not wishing to enter further academic study.

The Minister responded “Students wishing to follow a vocational pathway are currently able to gain access through a number of routes.” The Department’s ‘Increased Flexibility for 14-16 Year Olds’ programme’ creates and promotes enhanced vocational and work related learning opportunities, and they are available to all students.

The Government’s ‘Our Young Apprenticeship programme’ offers well motivated 14-16 year old the opportunity to pursue industry specific vocational programmes outside of school in partnership with employers. In September 2004 Work Related learning at Key Stage 4 became a statutory requirement. 8 GCSEs in vocational subjects were introduced in September 2002.
I am pleased to hear that the Government is offering structured programmes to enable training for young people in a wide range of occupations leading to recognised qualifications.