Some economic and ideological aspects of the reform of education and training in England and Wales in the last ten years

Abstract

During the last ten years, British governments have claimed that their education and training policies have been largely motivated by the objective of serving the needs of the economy better. The paper suggests, however, that reforms have been guided to a greater extent by short‐term political expediency and in compliance with the Government's market forces ideology. The result is a very confused pattern of education and training provision. Present trends indicate that Britain is liable to suffer serious shortages of professional skills in the future. It is suggested that reform of A‐levels would form an essential ingredient in any coherent programme designed to help the education system serve the needs of the economy better.