• Home
  •  > 
  • Opinion formers

Opinion formers

Edge works with policy-makers and opinion-formers so that we can take our message, about the importance of practical and vocational education, to the people who make the decisions.

We are always very pleased to assist Parliamentarians and their staff with briefing on education and skills issues on request.

Please contact Nicolas Heslop, Edge’s Public Affairs Manager on telephone number 020 7292 9300 or email address nheslop@edge.co.uk

Latest projects and campaigns
Six Steps to Change Manifesto
Changing education so young people can achieve their potential
See more »

Get involved
Have Your Say
Have your say on practical and vocational learning and what you would like to see change in the education system. GO »
Install our 'Let's Change School' badge
Have your say on what you would like to see change in the education system- Get our badges, personalise them and join our campaign. GO »

Help us spread the word
Bookmark and Share
What's your view
Name: Add comment » 
Peter Page
Very important to give practical young people a feeling that they can achieve by using their hands. Too much emphasis has been directed at academic ability and seemingly no value has been given to creative practical work that, so often, can lead to a fulfilled and satisfying life.

L Palmer, Clacton, Essex, UK.
Why should the graduation ceremonies, complete with mortarboards and gowns be reserved only for the university graduate. Why can’t the High School graduates (like in America) have some pomp and ceremony too to celebrate their achievements, and the people who achieve high level vocational qualifications such as NVQ level four, which is supposed to be the same standard as a degree isn’t it?

I know that the OU now provide NVQ qualifications and I think that more universities should offer them as an alternative to degrees for people who prefer to learn while working and are naturally drawn to more physical and practical pursuits rather than sitting in a class room and fretting over exams and long essays.

It would be nice to see the graduate collecting their parchment on stage along side the NVQ achievers collecting their certificates to show that we all have a vital role to play. The Plumber may need the Brain Surgeon as much the Brain Surgeon may need the Plumber one day.

Practicality, common sense, wisdom, maturity, empathy, kindness, dexterity, diligence, where is the diploma for these subjects?


You might be interested in
Revolution campaign gives the people a voice on education
Young people, parents and teachers will be urged to ensure their voice is heard on the next five years of education in a new campaign launching on 10th September.
Read in full »
Parents demand better schools
English parents have designs on private school style facilities for their state-educated children according to research by Edge.
Read in full »

Stay in touch

If you'd like to know more about Edge and what we're doing and receive our quarterly newsletter, simply fill in your details.

Title *  
First name *
Last name *
Email *(we will never give this out!)
Confirm email *
Postcode
An account will be created on the site, allowing you to add comments and download materials. Please create a password for this account.
Password *
Confirm password *

Join Edge on the web

Join forces with Edge on Flickr, Facebook and YouTube

Do you know another site we should be using? Let us know here:

Or send us a message »

Does education work for employers?

Aren't you looking for a person to fit the specific job/career that they have applied for, even if they have specific qualifications required for the hypothetical position, it doesn't make them right for it, that’s what interviews are for.’


"Don't you think as employers you should be looking past qualifications and presumed social status, when looking at a CV aren’t you looking for 'the person', what they have to say about themselves, their goals?

Edge is raising the stature of practical and vocational learning with inspiring projects and campaigns