Liberal Democrat education spokesman Phil Willis said young people and employers wanted high quality vocational courses that had real standing.
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"Also he's not really focusing on those kids who maybe aren't going to go to university but need high quality vocational qualifications, " said Mr Miliband.
Mr Hancock said the government was "reforming apprenticeships, introducing traineeships and overhauling the system to recognise only high quality vocational courses that lead directly to a skilled trade or profession".
The DfE said schools were expected to teach "high quality" vocational qualifications from September 2012.
The Tech Bacc will require students to have three elements - qualifications in maths and literacy and a "high quality" vocational qualification.
Ministers hope the new degrees, which are due to be launched for consultation next month, would enhance the reputation of high-level vocational qualifications.
But fewer high schools offer comprehensive vocational education anymore.
In his presentation David Atchoarena reviewed some of the reasons UNESCO gives such high priority to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Between 1982 and 1992, the proportion of high school seniors who reported being in vocational programs fell from 27 to 12 percent, while the proportion for college preparatory rose from 38 to 43 percent and that for general programs from 35 to 45 percent.
And I think the President challenged all of America to, in his speech to Congress, to seek one year of post-high school education, whether it's vocational training or college education, to create a more educated workforce that can meet the growing demand for the jobs of the future.
It may be that the more the concept of apprenticeship and the concept of a rigorous vocational approach is incorporated in the high schools so the kids can actually see a direct connection to what they're learning and a potential career, they're less likely to drop out and we're going to see more success.
The girls can finish high school on site, take computer classes or learn vocational skills like sewing or jewelry-making.
Instead of these for-profit diploma mills, we should focus on making vocational training a more integral part of our high schools and community colleges.
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U.S. high schools have traditionally offered three types of academic programs: college preparatory, general, and vocational.
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