Why Are Young People Not Learning Trades/Skills?

[kfpben]

My sister did … theology and English , I thought wtf.mind I had a few good nights in York when I went visiting

I raise you History and Scottish Gaelic.

A sizeable chunk of my revision was watching sheep dog trials in Gaelic on BBC Alba

 

[Wood field]

I raise you History and Scottish Gaelic.

A sizeable chunk of my revision was watching sheep dog trials in Gaelic on BBC Alba

I quite like history, didn’t get why she did theology

 

[fgc325j]

The Office for Students holds data on post-graduation outcomes by subject. Those with degrees in creative arts & related subjects, mass communication (which would cover media studies and the like), and social studies (psych, sociology etc) have the worst earnings and are least likely to be in graduate level employment. Those are the areas where you'll find those Mickey Mouse degrees. The highest for both earnings and likelihood of being in a grad level job (none of which will come as a surprise) are Comp Sci, Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, Vet Med, Economics, and Medicine.

If you met someone with a degree in media studies that earns 100k a year, you met one hell of a statistical outlier...

They also have more than a few reports that show how degrees have been dumbed down. In 2010/2011 just 15.5% of students were awarded a First, by 2021/2022 that had risen to 32.8%.

The process of dumbing down exam results started, from my experience, in the 70's. The year i sat my 'O' levels , there were 5 pass grades - A = 75+pts, B = 70-74pts,
C = 65-69pts, D= 60-64, and the minimum pass was E 55-59pts. The following year the pass grades were reduced to 3 - A = 70+, B=60-69 and C, min. pass =50-59pts.
A few laters A+ pass= 75+ was reintroduced. For the record i was sh*t at maths and failed it under the old pass grades, the following year, under the new grading system,
i passed with a 'C' = 50-59pts. Any potential employer, used to the old grading system, would have regarded a 'C' pass as 65-69pts. Totally different reflection of my abilities.
Finally - i want to point that it was algebra that was my weak point - simultaneous and differential equations still make cold sweat run down my back. I was good at Geometry and working out %ages , i.e the basics you need for day to day life. Also - cheap pocket calculators were sci-fi at the time.

 

[Pistonbroke]

The process of dumbing down exam results started, from my experience, in the 70's. The year i sat my 'O' levels , there were 5 pass grades - A = 75+pts, B = 70-74pts,
C = 65-69pts, D= 60-64, and the minimum pass was E 55-59pts. The following year the pass grades were reduced to 3 - A = 70+, B=60-69 and C, min. pass =50-59pts.
A few laters A+ pass= 75+ was reintroduced. For the record i was sh*t at maths and failed it under the old pass grades, the following year, under the new grading system,
i passed with a 'C' = 50-59pts. Any potential employer, used to the old grading system, would have regarded a 'C' pass as 65-69pts. Totally different reflection of my abilities.
Finally - i want to point that it was algebra that was my weak point - simultaneous and differential equations still make cold sweat run down my back. I was good at Geometry and working out %ages , i.e the basics you need for day to day life. Also - cheap pocket calculators were sci-fi at the time.

Son's uni exams,a pass is 40% and several failing, he's been getting 85 to 93. Makes me wonder how useful some of the graduates will be at the end

 

[Swarfmonkey]

The process of dumbing down exam results started, from my experience, in the 70's. The year i sat my 'O' levels , there were 5 pass grades - A = 75+pts, B = 70-74pts,
C = 65-69pts, D= 60-64, and the minimum pass was E 55-59pts. The following year the pass grades were reduced to 3 - A = 70+, B=60-69 and C, min. pass =50-59pts.
A few laters A+ pass= 75+ was reintroduced. For the record i was sh*t at maths and failed it under the old pass grades, the following year, under the new grading system,
i passed with a 'C' = 50-59pts. Any potential employer, used to the old grading system, would have regarded a 'C' pass as 65-69pts. Totally different reflection of my abilities.
Finally - i want to point that it was algebra that was my weak point - simultaneous and differential equations still make cold sweat run down my back. I was good at Geometry and working out %ages , i.e the basics you need for day to day life. Also - cheap pocket calculators were sci-fi at the time.

After my former career came to a juddering halt I went back to college for the Access to HE course to get my head back into studying before applying to university. The Access to HE course is pitched as being Level 3, the same as the A Levels i'd completed over a decade and a half before. Access was easy, the standard (particularly on the Chem module) being GCSE level at best. Well, GCSE level when I first took mine. Christ knows how bad they are now

Then I went off to university where I thought it might be better. I was wrong, you only needed 70% to get a First...

Dumbing down only serves the government who can crow "look at our record results this year!". It certainly doesn't serve the kids, or employers.

 

[Lowland1]

The process of dumbing down exam results started, from my experience, in the 70's. The year i sat my 'O' levels , there were 5 pass grades - A = 75+pts, B = 70-74pts,
C = 65-69pts, D= 60-64, and the minimum pass was E 55-59pts. The following year the pass grades were reduced to 3 - A = 70+, B=60-69 and C, min. pass =50-59pts.
A few laters A+ pass= 75+ was reintroduced. For the record i was sh*t at maths and failed it under the old pass grades, the following year, under the new grading system,
i passed with a 'C' = 50-59pts. Any potential employer, used to the old grading system, would have regarded a 'C' pass as 65-69pts. Totally different reflection of my abilities.
Finally - i want to point that it was algebra that was my weak point - simultaneous and differential equations still make cold sweat run down my back. I was good at Geometry and working out %ages , i.e the basics you need for day to day life. Also - cheap pocket calculators were sci-fi at the time.

I did my o levels in the eighties anything less than C was considered unacceptable. A C was equal to CSE grade 1

 

[Jonp]

The process of dumbing down exam results started, from my experience, in the 70's. The year i sat my 'O' levels , there were 5 pass grades - A = 75+pts, B = 70-74pts,
C = 65-69pts, D= 60-64, and the minimum pass was E 55-59pts. The following year the pass grades were reduced to 3 - A = 70+, B=60-69 and C, min. pass =50-59pts.
A few laters A+ pass= 75+ was reintroduced. For the record i was sh*t at maths and failed it under the old pass grades, the following year, under the new grading system,
i passed with a 'C' = 50-59pts. Any potential employer, used to the old grading system, would have regarded a 'C' pass as 65-69pts. Totally different reflection of my abilities.
Finally - i want to point that it was algebra that was my weak point - simultaneous and differential equations still make cold sweat run down my back. I was good at Geometry and working out %ages , i.e the basics you need for day to day life. Also - cheap pocket calculators were sci-fi at the time.

In 1976 they allowed calculators to be used in exams for the first time, coincided with my 'o' levels, maybe that was the start of the dumbing down?
After doing our 11+ our year was split into 5 streams, A,B,C,D and E.
D&E were for those who struggled with academic work and extra help was given to achieve the basics in maths and English and they were encouraged to take up metalwork, woodwork, mechanics etc
A&B were for the more academic inclined and were encouraged in those subjects
C was for the floaters who needed more time to work out which way they were inclined to go.
The teaching and facilities for all streams was brilliant and most of us achieved what we were capable of.
I started in D, being a truculent child, but soon got to B as I enjoyed learning and even now am grateful to the teachers that encouraged me.
Went on to be an engineer.
Was a good system that had the recourses to help every child. Is that the case now?

 

[Lowland1]

I quite like history, didn’t get why she did theology

Because it makes you think. Science is about having a good memory Some of these other subjects for which there is no right or wrong answer means you have to justify your views. It’s a bit like farming there are hundreds of different ways to achieve a result that often don’t work anyway.

 

[Lowland1]

After my former career came to a juddering halt I went back to college for the Access to HE course to get my head back into studying before applying to university. The Access to HE course is pitched as being Level 3, the same as the A Levels i'd completed over a decade and a half before. Access was easy, the standard (particularly on the Chem module) being GCSE level at best. Well, GCSE level when I first took mine. Christ knows how bad they are now

Then I went off to university where I thought it might be better. I was wrong, you only needed 70% to get a First...

Dumbing down only serves the government who can crow "look at our record results this year!". It certainly doesn't serve the kids, or employers.

Doing any exams or study in later life is always far easier than when you’re younger. A level chemistry was incredibly difficult to me as an 18 year old. Looking at the questions today it’s a breeze. Same with my Degree papers I looked at them yesterday it was 37 years ago but I could have done them all without much thought even the ones I didn’t choose at the time.

 

[bluebell]

Certain skills, can be so useful for were ever you end up in the world, or a "can do attitude" helps, mechanic/ welder, building trades, presentable bar/ cafe/resturant work experience, all in demand any where in the world, all gained in the "university" of hard knocks

 

[MF CI]

In 1976 they allowed calculators to be used in exams for the first time, coincided with my 'o' levels, maybe that was the start of the dumbing down?
After doing our 11+ our year was split into 5 streams, A,B,C,D and E.
D&E were for those who struggled with academic work and extra help was given to achieve the basics in maths and English and they were encouraged to take up metalwork, woodwork, mechanics etc
A&B were for the more academic inclined and were encouraged in those subjects
C was for the floaters who needed more time to work out which way they were inclined to go.
The teaching and facilities for all streams was brilliant and most of us achieved what we were capable of.
I started in D, being a truculent child, but soon got to B as I enjoyed learning and even now am grateful to the teachers that encouraged me.
Went on to be an engineer.
Was a good system that had the recourses to help every child. Is that the case now?

Apparently absolutely not like that these days. All classes at school are multi level. So a class of 30 could have 10 dunces, 10 brainiaks and 10 middle of the roaders. And not one of them will get the attention they really need.

 

[Swarfmonkey]

Doing any exams or study in later life is always far easier than when you’re younger. A level chemistry was incredibly difficult to me as an 18 year old. Looking at the questions today it’s a breeze. Same with my Degree papers I looked at them yesterday it was 37 years ago but I could have done them all without much thought even the ones I didn’t choose at the time.

I'll have to disagree with that. Fluid intelligence peaks at around 20 and declines thereafter. If you've beaten that natural process then you're a freak of nature (in a good way). Mind you, that wasn't really my point, which was what had previously been Level 2 standard has now become Level 3 standard. Nowt to explain that but dumbing down of the curriculum.

 

[Lowland1]

I'll have to disagree with that. Fluid intelligence peaks at around 20 and declines thereafter. If you've beaten that natural process then you're a freak of nature (in a good way). Mind you, that wasn't really my point, which was what had previously been Level 2 standard has now become Level 3 standard. Nowt to explain that but dumbing down of the curriculum.

Maybe but practically I think it doesn’t work like that. There are so many environmental factors and just basic experience all combine to negate the fluid intelligence benefits of a younger person. Having just had to adjust the potato planter for my very intelligent 23 year old son I’d reckon this is the case he can work the GPS but I know the best settings to avoid grass blockage.

 

[Lowland1]

Here you go see if you’d have got a degree from a University what couldn’t have been ranked lower than 45 out of 45 in 1987 and is now ranked 130 out of 160.

 

[FonterraFarmer]

Here you go see if you’d have got a degree from a University what couldn’t have been ranked lower than 45 out of 45 in 1987 and is now ranked 130 out of 160.View attachment 1171442

Question 1, C+G+S <GP-(E+T)....
If egual or greater than then the argument for is flawed and null and void.

 

[Lowland1]

Question 1, C+G+S <GP-(E+T)....
If egual or greater than then the argument for is flawed and null and void.

I don't think you'vs answered the question. They wanted an essay not a formula.

 

[FonterraFarmer]

I don't think you'vs answered the question. They wanted an essay not a formula.

I'm too old to write an essay, personally the question is flawed because before the suggestion of changed or increased supplementation there needs to be an analysis on the projected profitability.
Equally anther question could be that if the opportunity arose to significantly reduce supplementary feed either purchased or made on farm if it significantly increased profitability and required reduced labour inputs, then would that be recommended especially but consultants or experts.

 

[Lowland1]

I'm too old to write an essay, personally the question is flawed because before the suggestion of changed or increased supplementation there needs to be an analysis on the projected profitability.
Equally anther question could be that if the opportunity arose to significantly reduce supplementary feed either purchased or made on farm if it significantly increased profitability and required reduced labour inputs, then would that be recommended especially but consultants or experts.

You answer the question or you fail you don’t make up your own questions .

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Some are total helmets

Like that term I’ll try and remember to use it next time our placement lad is here from college I usually refer to him as “useless” so that will make a nice change.

 

[Anymulewilldo]

There's more to it than just being a degree from a university in an English speaking country now, especially when the university rankings can be checked in seconds. The Chinese students that I knew on my course at UCL used to put the boot in about those at King's and really used to take the pish out of those at LSBU (sadly, one of those excellent Poly's ruined by being turned into one of Major's "New Universities")



Depressing, isn't it? It's unreal how many firsts are awarded these days, and it's not like the HE student population has seen a massive upswing in IQ...

The Chinese students on my degree course in agriculture were both busted for drug dealing a fortnight into the course. Never saw them again