The New Zealand Initiative: Setting schools up to succeed in vocational education
The New Zealand Initiative: Setting schools up to succeed in vocational education
Is it better to be a policy analyst or a plumber?
In the minds of many New Zealanders, university degrees carry greater status than industry qualifications. But many tradespeople earn as much, or more, than an average university graduate. Many tradies also go on to start highly successful businesses.
Financially, the plumber may well come out ahead of the public servant. Why, then, are industry qualifications not valued more highly than they are?
The root issue is cultural bias in favour of academic learning, but the traditional school curriculum also contributes to the higher status of degrees. Most subjects are derived from university disciplines, creating a mindset that school is preparation for university.
Things might be about to change. Under the government’s proposal for new school qualifications, students will be able to study ‘industry-led’ subjects in Years 12 and 13. The goal is to improve the quality, status and uptake of vocational education in schools.
