Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has called for a radical re-evaluation of current teaching in secondary schools to increase practical skills that can help youngsters enter the labour market.
The Scottish Conservative MSP has called on Scottish schools to replicate the German model of science teaching where industry pathways exist alongside classroom schooling.
Murdo cited the recently published Wood report that called for work experience to play a greater role in secondary school education.
Murdo also labelled the Scottish Government’s “CanDo” programme as “heavy on ambition but light on detailed proposals”.
Speaking in the Chamber Murdo Fraser MSP said:
Check against delivery,
“For years we have argued for an improvement in vocational education, and I am delighted to see Sir Ian Wood’s Commission supporting this objective. We know that whilst unemployment as a whole is coming down, youth unemployment is still a problem. According to the report, youth unemployment levels are currently 18.8%, more than double that of the average working age population. One in five of our young people aspire to a job but cannot get one.
“The report proposes new School-College vocational partnerships as well as an option to do the first year of a 3-4 year apprenticeship while still at school. There is also a very important focus on the need to improve the status of vocational education so it is not seen as a second best alternative for those either unwilling or unable to go down the academic route.
“We should look to the example of Germany, which for years has been a leader in Europe in terms of science and innovation and has retained its manufacturing base to a much greater extent than we in this country have.
“There is no sense that people who do these jobs in Germany and are in any way “second class” to those in other professions. We need to learn some of that here, and it was good to see this recognised in Sir Ian Wood’s report, particularly the recommendation that a focus on STEM subjects are the heart of development of Scotland’s young workforce.”