to ask if any of you know about vocational courses? Desperately need some advice for DS please!

[OddGoingsOn]

Well DS has actually done BETTER than we expected in his GCSEs today! We’re so so pleased but now we have a dilemma. He could have done A levels but definitely doesn’t want to do and I do agree with this as he’s dyslexic and not particularly academic and also there are just no subjects he’s passionate enough about to want to study to that level. He’s applied for an engineering course at a local college with a view to potentially doing a higher level apprenticeship once he’s finished and going into work that way. However, it’s a level 2 course and the course requirements are lower than his grades. I’m worried for a couple of reasons. Will he be able to get a decent career starting in this way or is it setting him up to struggle? Will he be with students who will be less focused (he’s easily distracted!)? I’m just having a wobble we’re sending him off to do a course which doesn’t suit him. He’s not particularly passionate about engineering itself but does want to do something practical. This course would be 5 mins from home and he could walk/get the bus.

A curve ball is that he absolutely LOVES music and there is a music production course (with DJing which is what he does and is good at!) in a nearby city. This is a level 3 course and he would love it. He (and I) are worried for these reasons: it’s further away (a 20 min train journey). Would it really lead to a career? Does he need this qualification as he’s already doing quite all and getting some gigs.

Anything else anyone can help with as ideas here please? He’s practical and quite quick to learn -his DJing is all self taught. He doesn’t want to be based on a classroom learning theory but I just want to give him the best chance! He needs to decide over the next week or so! Aaargh!

Thanks so much for any insight.

I'd do the L3 in something I liked rather than L2 in something I didn't.

There have been more T Levels added this year - does anywhere local do them?

Yes, the local college does them but they’ve said it’s 80% classroom based and something like only 45 hours of practical work over the whole course which he really doesn’t fancy! Shame because it could have been ideal but I do understand-he just doesn’t want to be in a classroom studying.

Thanks. Part of me agrees completely and after all they’ve been through I’d LOVE to see him really enjoying his studies, I also know he’ll only put up with so much more studying. 2 more years feels like an eternity to him and would he need to study something else after this because it hasn’t given him qualifications enough to do anything with it?

Level 2 Engineering courses are only one year long. The idea is that he gets an apprenticeship after it.

I don;t think he can base his decision on whether he will want to study again in 2 yrs time.

If he is doing something he loves, with a vocational style of teaching, he might well be happy to carry on studying.

Compared to now when he has just done GCSEs in subjects he wasn;t that interested in.

Thank you. This one is definitely 2 years long. Do you know if a Level 2 course would lead to him being more attractive to employers for a decent apprenticeship? One that pays well for a starting salary I suppose I mean by that.

Sounds like me 30 years ago (minus the dyslexia). I did a BTEC, which was pretty hands on but probably 70/30 academic/practical.

I think I did ok and nowadays it's a good pathway into an apprenticeship. Personally it's better for him to do something he thinks he'll enjoy. I've studied with dyslexic students and they were brilliant. They just need tools to enable them to study academically. He may well find he has more appetite for academia after a year, if he does well but either way I wouldn't worry.

I've a friend who has a dyslexic son. He did a college course and secured an apprenticeship at Leonardo (major defense company). He's doing really well and enjoying it.

Re the DJing I learnt using vinyl but am digital nowadays. I've always seen it as a side thing and have done a few gigs but is hard to make it big and earn money from it. Love it though.

My initial thought was stick with engineering, but it seems like a step backwards.

I think the music course in the city could be a better opportunity for him. He'll meet new people, get more gigs. Music isn't a straightforward career with a starting salary but it sounds like he has a talent and a passion so I would say give it a go.

If it doesn't work out he can always go back and do an apprenticeship later.

Thanks very much. Food for thought there!

Thanks very much for your reply. Can I ask what you mean by a step backwards? Thank you!

Because it's a level 2.

If he has the grades for a level 3 qualification it seems a shame not to get it. Could he not go in at level 3 at your local college or the city one? Or even straight into an apprenticeship?

I would think that the level 2 is aimed at people that didn't get the grades they needed.

Level 2 could be viewed as a 'lesser' qualification but it's really a completely different course to level 3. It involves a lot of really hands on aspects of engineering like machining, electrical/electronic assembly, manufacturing and some academic study. It also involves CAD work, which is highly technical and can lead on to a strong career in design.

In some ways I'd like to see all engineers do a course like this as a lot just don't have a clue, despite having degrees. Often I see graduates from Russel group uni's design things that are useless as they have no idea how or if they can be manufactured etc. These level 2 courses are more different than lesser IMO.

A level 3 engineering course bypasses a lot of the hands on stuff in favour of academic progression and a small amount of hands on. IMO it's a better compromise than doing straight A levels.

It really depends on what the OP's son wants to do. In many ways it's not a problem to do it and then do a level 3 afterwards, if he felt he might enjoy the academic side. Or he could get an apprenticeship and go day release. He may never read for a degree but there's still much he can do without one. Mostly, progression can be made with the support of a good mentor.

Although, having said that, being a superstar DJ trumps the lot if you can 😂

easiest way of thinking about it is to imagine a hairdresser - they start at L2 to learn the basics like actually cutting & drying at a basic level and then move into a L3 to become a stylist - same with engineering- L2 to learn hand fitting tools and basic H&S - can the girls into a L3 engineering apprenticeship- will look good on CV as shows that it’s something he’s interested in …. But I would be tempted to do the L3 course he’s interested in - just double check how much of it is actually hands on and not sitting in a classroom! (As BTECs can be very writing heavy!)

I would speak to the college, they should be able to advise him on whether there's a suitable level 3 course. I would avoid the music production though, he can do music as a hobby, he has much more chance if getting a good job through engineering.

If he has decent GCSE grades he should do a L3 course, in a subject area that motivates him.

Level 2 is the same level as GCSEs, so it would be like repeating the last 2 years but a different subject.

He needs to go into level 3 or a level 3 apprenticeship to keep him stimulated and engaged.

DD has just completed a level 3 BTEC her lessons were mainly practical but there was also a lot of portfolio and reflective writing that was completed electronically.
She took a 40 minute train ride for college and there was loads of others on the course who were getting off trains to walk to the college with.
I bought her a 16/17 railcard which entitled her to half price train fare.

There's a great BTEC thread in 'further education' topics you should look at

I can't link to it via my iphone because I don't know how. I tried, failed and gave up.

Also he should do what he feels really interests him right now.