Pupils at Ashford's Highworth School collecting their A-level results last year

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Businesses have called for an overhaul of vocational courses after dubbing them the "Cinderella" of the education system.

On the day 300,000 students feel the joy – and pain for some - of their A-level results, the CBI has urged the government to look hard at vocational courses.

While A-levels are the academic peak of the school system and a benchmark for employers when recruiting, it said it was important to develop high quality, rigorously-examined options for young people who do not choose the A-level route.

Neil Bentley, CBI deputy director-general, said: "Too often these courses have been the Cinderella of the debate and we need to urgently address this, by developing simple and effective structures for vocational study and by learning from the good examples offered by University Technical Colleges and others."

The British Chambers of Commerce said the debate should not be just about A levels and university.

Dr Adam Marshall, the BCC director of policy and external affairs, said: "With university tuition fees rising and many young people looking for alternatives to higher education, business wants to see more media attention and investment in further education and vocational training.

"Students must feel confident that a high-level apprenticeship is held in the same esteem as a degree, and that the vocational qualifications they achieve are recognised and valued."

He added: "From September, schools will have a new duty to secure independent careers advice for students. Business will be watching closely to ensure that vocational options, including apprenticeships, are given as much attention as the option of going to university."

Dr Marshall welcomed the end to grade inflation, saying it would improve business confidence in the qualifications achieved by young people.

The CBI hailed the rise in A Level students taking science and maths because those subjects were critical to the future success of the economy.

But given the need to expand exports to boost growth, the continuing fall in the number of young people taking a language was a concern.

Recent CBI research shows more than a third of employers - rising to 68% among large firms - expect to expand their recruitment of school leavers and apprentices with A-levels.