Jersey lacks the modern, accessible and joined-up vocational training infrastructure it needs to support its future workforce, according to a new report.
The review into lifelong vocational learning concludes that while there is “good work happening across the island”, the overall system is beset by “significant structural and operational weaknesses” and is failing to deliver truly lifelong opportunities.
Published by the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel, the report found that Highlands College estate is “outdated” and no longer capable of meeting the island’s future needs.
More broadly, the report states that Jersey “lacks modern vocational training infrastructure” and has no centralised physical hub bringing together learners, employers and providers.
Instead, the system is described as “fragmented”, with more than a dozen institutions involved but limited co-ordination between them, resulting in unclear progression pathways and a lack of cohesive strategy.
The panel found that the current set-up presents “substantial barriers to access”, particularly for adult and mid-career learners.
Financial hurdles, inflexible course structures and complex funding rules are all blamed for restricting participation.
In some cases, degree holders are prevented from retraining in essential shortage areas due to funding restrictions.
Panel chair Deputy Catherine Curtis said: “Our review has identified the need for a co-ordinated, future-facing strategy that balances the needs of learners, employers, providers, and government.
“While lifelong vocational learning delivers significant social and economic benefits, the panel found that Jersey’s current system presents substantial barriers to access, lacks cohesion across providers, and does not fully support the island’s future skills needs.
“Awareness of vocational opportunities is low and is often hampered by funding arrangements – with unclear rules and restrictions – that prevent degree holders from retraining in essential fields, such as teachers seeking to become social workers.
“The current system is largely geared towards school leavers, leaving mid-career and adult learners without sufficient pathways or support.”
The panel has made 20 recommendations, including commissioning a feasibility study and masterplan for a modern Highlands campus as a dedicated lifelong learning hub, simplifying funding rules, improving labour market intelligence, and launching a major culture-change campaign to tackle the stigma surrounding vocational routes.