The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has today hit back at proposals by the Tomlinson Working Group to reform education for 14-19 year olds; believing that key weaknesses in the education system must be dealt with before further changes take place.

The Report has proposed a series of reforms aimed at improving post-16 participation and achievement, curriculum and assessment systems as well as the approach to vocational qualifications.

The employers’ body said that its greatest fear is the introduction of a diploma that could divert attention away from improving basic skills including numeracy and literacy standards.

Vocational qualifications could also miss out on the development work they need to become high quality and have both relevance and appeal to young people, parents and employers, said the CBI.

Deputy Director-General John Cridland, CBI said:

“CBI members are passionate about improving education. They are fully supportive of the Tomlinson Group objective of improving attainment levels.

“But business is not yet convinced that vital improvements to basic and key skills can be delivered at the same time as radical reform of qualifications towards an overall diploma. We look to the government to demonstrate that both are possible.”

Six key test need to be passed for employers to be able to support the recommendations, says the CBI:

1. a detailed evidence-based strategy for improving literacy and numeracy and correcting under-performance
2. an action plan for establishing high quality vocational provision
3. demonstrate that a diploma would offer extra value for the brightest young people
4. show how the new qualifications grading would offer clear benchmarks for recruiters
5. prove beyond doubt that none of the above aims could be achieved within the existing qualifications framework, and
6. convincing estimates of the resources necessary to implement the diploma

A spokesperson from the Working Group for 14-19 year olds, speaking to HRZone said: “We welcome the response and CBI’s willingness to engage in constructive dialogue. Higher standards are at the heart of our reform programme and we are confident that our proposals will meet the six key tests outlined in their response.

“We agree with the CBI that raising the level of basic skills and improving the range and quality of vocational options must be at the heart of the 14 – 19 reform – our proposals seek to ensure that and far from being a distraction, the diploma is essential if we are to achieve these outcomes.