Survey of 150 MPs found that MPs did not believe vocational qualifications mattered less than academic qualifications, but wouldn't necessarily encourage their own children to follow a vocational path
The research, carried out in June 2008 by leading polling and research consultancy ComRes, surveyed MPs on their familiarity with Edge and Edge's key messages, as well as their attitudes to vocational qualifications and the role of diplomas. The results showed that familiarity of Edge amongst MPs has increased since 2006, but remained low. However, those MPs who did recall receiving information from Edge found it useful and remembered the key messages. In general MPs did not believe that vocational qualifications mattered less than academic but did feel that practical and vocational learning was less highly regarded than academic routes. This seemed to affect their beliefs when it came to their own family - 49% of those surveyed would encourage their children to follow a vocational path but 37% would not. MPs saw diplomas as a viable option to GCSEs for both academically bright children as well as those who may be struggling at school. However, for A-levels the majority saw them as a good option only for those children who would struggle to do A-levels.