Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Third Report - The future of post-16 qualifications
Education Committee
HC 55
Published 28 April 2023
Conclusions (4)
6
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Para 41
We have heard that some universities are requiring an A level alongside a T Level for entry onto degree programmes. Department guidance on whether an A level can feasibly be studied alongside a T Level appears inconsistent, and the Department must clearly set out its position on this. The Department …
Government Response Summary
The government clarified its unchanged position on A Levels being taken alongside T Levels, stating it supports students doing so. It has written to universities to raise awareness of T Levels and encourage transparent entry requirements, and will continue to work with the HE sector to explain qualification overlap, but did not commit to ensuring universities do not specify unreasonable entry requirements.
29
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Para 103
The Department must closely monitor how learner satisfaction, attainment and progression for those undertaking hybrid T Level placements compares with those undertaking fully in-person placements. Evaluations on this should be published annually.
Government Response Summary
The government states its Technical Education Learner Survey is tracking T Level cohorts and will publish findings from the first cohort in late 2023/early 2024. It also plans to evaluate all placement delivery approaches, including hybrid models, and continually monitors them, but does not explicitly commit to annual comparative publication.
39
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Para 156
The Department must set out how it will address the long-term decline in apprenticeship starts among young people, and ensure apprenticeships are the gold-standard ‘earn and learn’ option for school and college leavers. The Department must commission an independent review to examine possible mechanisms to achieve this, for example, considering …
Government Response Summary
The government outlined its plan to address the decline in young people's apprenticeship starts through existing and new initiatives, but rejected the call for an independent review into levy reform, stating it currently has no plans to reform the apprenticeship levy.
40
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Subject to positive evaluation, the Department must expand the flexi-job apprenticeship scheme with an ambition to support 5,000 apprentices on the scheme by 2025. The Department must maintain a particular focus on supporting small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) to share apprentices. This will help ease pressure on SMEs by …
Government Response Summary
The government committed to evaluating the Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Agencies pilot this Autumn to explore future support for the scheme, but did not commit to the ambition of 5,000 apprentices by 2025. It accepted the recommendation to continue working closely with stakeholders to ensure fair pay and conditions, citing an increased apprentice minimum wage and a new Apprentice Support Centre.