Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Accepted
Paragraph: 40
T Level students face significant uncertainty and limited progression options
Conclusion
There remains some uncertainty around progression options for T Level students. For example, we heard that T Level students are unlikely to have acquired the occupational competency and experience needed to begin a level 4 apprenticeship. While Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) will offer an important progression route for T Level students, their development has lagged behind T Levels, and will not be fully rolled out until 2025. It is encouraging that 134 higher education providers have indicated T Levels will be suitable for entry onto a minimum of one course. However, T Level students may find they are eligible for a very limited range of higher education courses due to the specialised nature of their qualification. This may not be obvious to the student until it is too late.
Government Response Summary
The government states that progression from T Levels has been a focus, highlighting existing work by IfATE on progression profiles and the promotion of HTQs as a suitable route. It also mentions ongoing work with partners and cross-government campaigns to raise awareness and clarify progression routes.
Paragraph Reference:
40
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Progression from T Levels has been a focus of the programme, ensuring that students, parents and employers are clear about the range of progression opportunities available to T Level graduates. The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has worked with employers, providers, and industry experts to develop progression profiles, which illustrate the range of progression options available following completion of a T Level. To develop progression profiles, IfATE have mapped content that is common to T Levels and apprenticeships, linking back to the occupational maps which show the skilled occupations that they can lead to. As IfATE’s progression profiles illustrate, T Levels are an excellent preparation for a wide range of L4 apprenticeships, although some may have specific entry requirements such as a period in employment. Some apprenticeships may also be reduced in duration because of prior learning gained during the T Level. T Levels are based on the same occupational standards as apprenticeships and, as such, align with other technical education provision within the same occupational route. The Government agrees that Level 4 and 5 qualifications are a key priority in meeting skills needs. Central to these reforms is the introduction of Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs). HTQs are approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education as providing the skills employers need and branded with a quality mark to make this clear to learners and employers. The first qualifications (Digital HTQs) started in September 2022. HTQs in Construction and Health and Science will be available from September 2023. Our reforms to higher technical education have been backed by substantial investment, including up to c.£117m to date of announced funding to help support the growth of provision across the country, on top of up to £300m to create a network of 21 Institutes of Technology. HTQs are an excellent progression option for young people who have completed Level 3 qualifications and are a particularly suitable progression option for T Level graduates who can continue to develop knowledge and skills in the same technical route. HTQs are being promoted (alongside T Levels) as part of the cross-Government communications and engagement campaigns for young people, which will help raise awareness of the various skills offers, help them decide which one is right for them (or their workforce) and drive take up. Further to our joint comms campaign, we are showcasing HTQs as a suitable progression option from T Levels through working with external partners to ensure career guidance and advice is linked, spotlighting HTQs during T Levels week, ensuring that progression routes are clear and concise on occupational maps. The Department will continue to scope activities that highlight progression from T Levels to HTQs.