England's chief exam regulator has called for industry to take part in marking and setting vocational GCSEs and A-levels.

Ken Boston, chief executive of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), said there was a need for a "comparability of standards" between traditional and work-related subjects.

This could only be achieved by using employers in the assessment of "industry-driven" courses, he added.

Vocational GCSEs and A-levels include subjects such as engineering, manufacturing and leisure and tourism.

Setting standards

Writing in the Times Educational Supplement, Dr Boston, says: "In England, we seem to have difficulty in accepting that in vocational education the setting of standards for 14 to 19 year olds is a task for industry experts."

He advocates employers helping to set standards for vocational subjects, much as a university would decide a curriculum geared towards students' needs.

This would involve a greater role for industry than it currently exercises over vocational GCSEs and A-levels.

Ken Boston wants employers to take a lead

Dr Boston continues: "In most advanced economies anything less than such industry verification would be seen not only as a disservice to students, but as an inadequate basis for workforce development and for building the national stock of human capital."

The Confederation of British Industry has questioned the amount of time businesses will be able to devote to A-levels and GCSEs.

More involvement

But Ruth Lea, head of the Institute of Directors policy unit, said: "We've been looking for a long time at improving vocational education and qualifications.

"We would like to see business being more involved in education. Anything which improves this is welcome."

The government announced last month that teenagers would be allowed to spend more time in work placements and further education colleges, as well as in school.

In an effort to emphasise their equal status with academic GCSEs, the term "vocational GCSE" will be dropped - and they will simply become GCSEs.

John Kerr, chief executive of the exam board Edexcel which sets vocational courses, said: "We welcome Dr Boston's support for strengthening the vocational sector but the time has come to stop reinventing the wheel.

"There are solid and proven vocational qualifications already available that are more than fit for the purpose."