Collaborative Approaches to 14-19 Provision - Communities and ...

14-19 PATHFINDERS: THE SECOND YEARProgression Mentor was supported by Pathfinder until April 2004 after which the postswere funded by the Regional Development Agency.283. An important aspect of the vocational strand is its focus on four mainvocational pathways within the region which provide varied work opportunities. Theseare Health and Social Care, Tourism, Engineering and Culture. The principal role of thevocational strand is to help schools, colleges and training providers translate the labourmarket information about skills gaps and employment opportunities in the local economyinto curricular activities which will encourage learners to access curricular pathwayswhich will lead to the identified occupational areas. A range of activities have beenprovided for students across Gateshead schools and the strand has also provided staff andcurriculum development opportunities for teachers. The establishment of a range ofteacher networks to take developments forward has been an important feature of thePathfinder. With support from Area Wide Inspection funding secondments are beingmade from a school, the College and the work based learning sector to promote andfacilitate vocational learning opportunities in schools.Key issues from the Pathfinder284. While CG6 has made an important impact a whole series of detailed butimportant issues still have to be tackled. These include:‣ transport between centres‣ the development of a more sustainable timetable‣ the development of a fees and registration structure which is fair and equitable andreflects institutional contributions‣ suitable arrangements for exam entries where students in the same teaching groups areregistered at different centres89