Recommendation 26

HM Government · verbatim extract Rejected

PLANS ALREADY IN PLACE We know that some students have a clear idea of the broad career area they want to work in and want to concentrate fully on a single technical subject area with progression options into work and further study. We have existing strong qualifications in A levels and T Levels providing opportunities for students in the academic and technical pathways. T Levels are growing in popularity and are providing a highly regarded technical programme for those who know which broad career area they want to pursue, and who want to do this through employment, including as a higher apprentice, or through related higher education courses. After completion, T Level students who progress into work are more likely to work in a field related to their course than students from comparable level 3 qualifications (approximately 7 out of 10). 71% of T Level students also agreed that their course prepared them for the workplace, which is greater than students on comparable level 3 courses, with differences of 10–15 percentage points. T Levels also provide a strong route into higher apprenticeships. Over two-thirds of T Level students who take up apprenticeships go straight into higher or degree-level apprenticeships. This is far higher than for all level 3 students where the vast majority go on to do an apprenticeship at the same or lower level. In 2023 and 2024, 97% of T Level learners who applied for Higher Education through UCAS received at least one offer. However, we know that A levels and T Levels do not accommodate all students’ needs and aspirations. Many 16-year-olds study level 3 qualifications that are not A/AS levels or T Levels. In 2024, 16% of 16-year-olds took these qualifications, with an additional 10% studying Applied General courses alongside A/AS levels. We know many students who take these qualifications have lower GCSE prior attainment compared to those who take A levels, and prefer learning and assessment which is more applied. However, these qualifications have mixed outcomes for students. To help address this, new Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs) and reformed technical qualifications started to be taught in August 2025. However, we recognise the need for a third, vocational pathway at level 3 to sit alongside the technical and academic offer of T Levels and A levels. On 20 October 2025, we announced our plans to introduce V Levels. V Levels will sit alongside A levels and T Levels and will offer a vocational alternative to these academic and technical routes. V Levels will blend applied learning with practical assessment, and their content will be linked to occupational standards set by Skills England, in consultation with employers. This will ensure V Levels are relevant to employers and have clear progression into employment, apprenticeships, or higher study. Alongside this, we will continue to grow T Levels, so more students benefit from their strong outcome. The government has been clear that students wishing to study a large qualification should study a T Level where they are on offer. In line with this, funding for all qualifications 720 guided learning hours and over in T Level areas will still be removed in 2026 and 2027.