The outcome of the Government’s rapid review of Level 3 qualifications demonstrates a welcome shift towards a more pragmatic and measured approach to 16-19 education. We are pleased to see in particular that some qualifications overlapping with T Levels will have their funding retained for now. This is welcome for two main reasons:
- It gives young people more choice: Our polling earlier this year found that 57% of the public agree that young people should have more choice than they currently have in what they do and study in 16-18 education, with large support in particular for the ability to mix and match academic and technical subjects. With ever-shifting skills needs, it is more important than ever that people have the flexibility to switch between pathways (reflected in Gen Z’s career patterns).
- T Levels aren’t the right option for all students. While we certainly support the ambition behind them and recognise the need for a highly-respected, aspirational technical option, T Levels aren’t well established enough yet to warrant cutting off alternative options. Our recent report revealed that while students find a lot to be positive about T Levels (notably the industry placement), delivery has fallen short of the programme’s ambitions.
Colleges and education providers now have the clarity they need to plan their offer for the coming years, something they have been keen to establish. We are glad their voices have been heard.
Good things come in pairs: the outcome of the review comes as UCAS announces that tariff points will be allocated to apprenticeships from September 2026 - another important step towards true parity of esteem between vocational and technical options. We hope that this move might also encourage universities and employers to work together to offer more Degree Apprenticeship opportunities.