IB Career-related Certificate Accepted as Regulated Qualification by Ofqual

THE HAGUE, The Netherlands, October 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The UK Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) has agreed that the IB Career-related Certificate (IBCC) meets the General Conditions of Recognition and has accepted it as a Regulated qualification in the UK. This is a significant development for the IBCC and will provide a platform for further recognition at university level in the UK.

The IBCC now appears on the Register of Regulated Qualifications and it is also expected to appear on the Department for Education's Section 96 list which includes all qualifications which are eligible for post-16 state funding in UK state maintained schools.

Career choices have never been more complex and important than in today's global society and for each student they remain immediate and inherently local. This is why the IBCC is specifically designed to provide a flexible learning programme, tailored by the school to meet the demands of their students and the local community as well as the world beyond. The IBCC bridges the gap between academic and career-related programmes, allowing highly motivated career-oriented students to also have the opportunity to take advantage of an IB education. The IBCC embodies a framework of international education that incorporates the vision and educational principles of the IB into local programmes that address the needs of students engaged in career-related education.

The experience from pilot schools has demonstrated that IBCC students build strong capabilities, inquiry-based thinking, communication and self-confidence. This allows IBCC students to move on to higher education, progress to community colleges, further education and/or directly into employment.

The launch of the IBCC represents an innovative development for the IB and reflects their determination to remain the leader in international education.

About the International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate is a not-for profit foundation, which offers three high quality and challenging educational programmes for a worldwide community of schools. For over 40 years, IB programmes have gained a reputation for their high academic standards, for preparing students for life in a globalised 21^st century, and for helping to develop the citizens who will create a better, more peaceful world. The IB currently works with over 3'280 schools in 141 countries.  http://www.ibo.org