The credibility of new work-related diplomas for teenagers suffered another body blow on Friday, after the watchdog charged with keeping up curriculum standards revealed the 10 days’ compulsory “work experience” need not be in a workplace related to the subject.

This means that a schoolchild studying for an engineering diploma could work for two weeks at a hairdresser – or a student opting for hair and beauty could spend two days surrounded by ball bearings at an engineering company.