'Young people need views heard on post-16 education'

"Young people's voices need to be heard" when it comes to post-16 education options, a deputy has said.

Deputy Rob Ward, Jersey's minister for education, spoke to young people across the island for a report exploring whether current education choices supported students' aspirations.

The report said choice and flexibility were not considered to be "consistent", while some students felt pushed to choose between an academic or vocational route.

Ward said: "We seriously need to look at greater cooperation between all of our post 16 providers. The voices of these young people is now being heard," he added. "They vote, they have a voice, they've shown that they want to have greater choice."

Ward said timetables and fees needed to be considered to improve post-16 education, as well as combining institutions to offer courses.

"If we cannot offer a particular course because there are small numbers in one institution and small numbers in another institution, combining those two and having greater cooperation means perhaps we can offer that choice," he added.

"Every single post-16 provider on this island is massively committed to the young people they teach. I think this needs to be an issue in the election."

The report said students wanted more "practical life skills and broader work-experience".

"Overall, students appreciate the support and opportunities available in Jersey but want a system that offers greater fairness, flexibility, and practical preparation for their chosen career," it said.

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