On the eve of the launch of the government's social mobility strategy, Labour leader Ed Miliband called for a rejection of what he deems the "narrow-mindedness" that prioritises university education as the route to social mobility. He demands "We must have a better offer to those young people who choose not to go to university.' Miliband criticised the current education system, in which vocational subjects are treated as second class. Under the current government, vocational qualifications have decreased drastically in value.3000 qualifications regarded as equivalent to GCSEs have been reduced to 125.A BTec in fish husbandry (once worth 2 GCSEs), the engineering diploma (reduced from five GCSEs to one) and qualifications in nail technology and horse care have all been dropped.Schools are still able to offer these subjects, however they will not improve their positions in the league tables. Miliband suggests that "Ministers should show as much respect for young people whose skills secure them an apprenticeship as those who win places at university." "The next Labour government will take those skills seriously. We need to ensure vocational education is seen as just as much of a gold standard as academic education."
Miliband's approach is distinctive from Clegg's social mobility review, which he outlined last Tuesday in a speech made to The Sutton Trust.While there is clear cross party consensus that social mobility needs to be improved, Clegg's approach diverges from that of Miliband, as he posits that university is the key route to social mobility. Clegg used ITV series, Up, which since 1964 has revisited the same individuals every seven years, tracking their progress in life, as evidence of the little improvement in social mobility society has made.
"From the warmth of our living room, we feel their joy and their sadness as they grow up, get on, and grow old. Many of them encounter personal tragedies and triumphs that are familiar to many of us - but each story is also unique and individual.
The series is compelling because of these personal journeys. But also because it tells us something about the evolution of our society.
Every seven years, we are treated to a snapshot of our progress as a nation. We see how the abstract terms we use - development, opportunity, mobility - are lived experiences for real people.
There can be few more powerful illustrations of just how divided our society can be.
And what hits you hardest is that in the half century since the series began, little has changed."
Clegg suggests that a student premium should be introduced to guarantee financial help for children receiving free school meals and entering higher education.
While Clegg's approach may be interpreted as snobbery, statistics are on Clegg's side.The Office of National Statistics have found that people with degrees earned an average of £12,000 a year more than non graduates over the past decade.The mid-point salary of graduates aged 22-64 was £29,000, compared to £17,800 for non degree holders.
Mona, GRB Journalist
