Manufacturing
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Your support makes all the difference.What is it? It's a vocational A-level (Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education) that introduces students to the manufacturing industry. The focus of the course depends on the area you live in and your centre's resources. Some colleges concentrate on the food or textile industries; others look at more traditional areas such as engineering or technology.
Why do it Because you'll find out how the myriad of products in our shops made it on to the shelves. The course can also earn you valuable Ucas points to get you into higher education.
What skills do you need? Enthusiasm is most important. You don't need any specific qualifications but a GNVQ in manufacturing or engineering can be very helpful, as will key skills to Level 2.
How much practical work is there? The whole course focuses on applying your knowledge to the real world, but only one of the course's six modules involves manufacturing a product. Some colleges will run bakeries or make pizzas on site. At other centres, students will design and produce clothes.
Ratio of coursework to exams: 2:1. The exams test the way you apply your knowledge to real-life situations.
Is is hard? "Some students expect the course to be easier," says Alan Mansfield, chair of examiners in manufacturing at AQA. "They are surprised by the volume and intensity of the work. Students have to be good at independent study to do well."
Who takes it? More males than females but the balance is changing as more colleges focus on the food and textiles industries.
How cool is it? "If your image of manufacturing is dark satanic mills, then of course it's not cool at all," says AQA's Alan Mansfield. "But modern manufacturing can be very cool if you consider that the fashion industry depends on the manufacture of clothes and the music industry on the manufacture of compact discs."
Added value: The course is an excellent preparation for higher education because, unlike more traditional A-level subjects, it specifies that students undertake independent research projects.
What subjects go with it? Business and information and communications technology.
What degrees does it lead to? Business, engineering, textiles and design courses.
Will it set you up for a brilliant career? "Yes, if you go for growing industries," says Alan Mansfield. "Food is a booming sector at the moment because of the growth of ready-made products. Textiles is also growing."
What do the students say? "We focused on the textile industry at my college," says Cathy Shipley, 18, from Birmingham. "I've really enjoyed it. For the practical module I designed and produced hats. I've even managed to sell a few."
Which awarding bodies offer it? AQA, Edexcel and OCR.
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