Review into suitability of post-16 education

Review into suitability of post-16 education

The Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel plans to ask the public for their views on the opportunities for young people and adults after compulsory schooling has been completed.

The panel say that, traditionally, young people take one of two paths – studying A-levels at Victoria College, Jersey College for Girls, De La Salle, Beaulieu or Hautlieu, or going on to Highlands College to complete academic or vocational courses.

In the past 12 years the panel say there has been a decline in young people from Jersey going on to higher education, including university. They now want to understand whether, given that decline, post-16 provision in the Island is equipping students with the right skills for careers with local businesses.

Panel chairman Deputy Rob Ward said: ‘Learning is something that we continue to do at all stages of our lives, whether it be through employment, training or academic study. There is a continuing pressure on children and young people to develop skills that will aid their pursuit of qualifications and employment, and post-16 education is one of the most important areas where these skills are developed.

‘The panel will look at what Jersey is currently doing for young people post-16 and examine whether it is meeting their needs and the needs of local business and industries. It will also look at post-16 provision in other jurisdictions to see how Jersey compares.’

The panel plans to look at issues such as current courses and qualifications available and whether they meet the needs of young people and local businesses and industries, and whether the current system equips young people to be active members of society.

Public hearings are due to take place and a report is planned for March 2019.

To submit evidence to the panel, write to the Scrutiny Office, Morier House, Halkett Place, St Helier, JE1 1DD, or email scrutiny@gov.je.

The other members on the panel are Deputies Rowland Huelin, Jess Perchard and Trevor Pointon and Constable Simon Crowcroft.

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