T-Level underrepresentation
Significant underrepresentation of women, disadvantaged students, and those with SEND in T-Level programmes.
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This theme is currently concentrated in one source type. More cross-references may appear as data is added.
59 committee recs
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Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Select committee recommendations(59)— showing 50 strongest matches
#44 — Film and HETV sectors remain highly under-representative despite progress towards inclusion.
Recommendation: The industry’s attempts to become more inclusive and representative of communities across the UK have made some progress in terms of the stories that are being told and the people working in front of and behind the camera. But the …
Gov response: We want a career in the creative industries to be open to everyone, whatever their background. We agree with the Committee that the breadth of roles required across the film and TV sector means that …
Accepted
#11 — T Levels continue to show significant underrepresentation of women, disadvantaged, and SEND students.
Recommendation: We challenged the Department on the underrepresentation of women in engineering and manufacturing T Levels, which mirrored the current workforce, and what it could learn from others internationally. This included the Supporting Adolescent Girls’ Education programme in Zimbabwe, which supports …
Not Addressed
#35 — Adult apprenticeship maths and English changes risk widening attainment gaps and age-based inequalities
Recommendation: The current apprenticeship system faces inconsistencies as a result of recent changes to maths and English requirements for those aged 19 and over. Whilst removing the requirement for adult apprentices to attain grade 4 maths and English before completing their …
Gov response: There is no response for this recommendation.
Not Addressed
#15 —
Recommendation: T levels combine classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during a work placement of around 45 days (20% of the overall time) over the two-year course.26 Committee Members have heard from college principals about difficulties in recruiting students, largely because of …
Gov response: 4: PAC conclusion: Successful implementation of the new T-level qualifications risks being delayed by a lack of work placements. 4: PAC recommendation: The Department should write to the Committee before the start of the next …
Under Consideration
#4 —
Recommendation: Successful implementation of the new T level qualifications risks being delayed by a lack of work placements. In May 2018, the then Permanent Secretary at the Department requested and was given a ministerial direction, as he had concerns about the …
Gov response: 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: July 2021 4.2 It is crucial that industry placements are high-quality to ensure that students have a successful T Level experience. 4.3 The department …
Under Consideration
#35 — Employer interest in T Level placements remains insufficient to meet future demand
Recommendation: We have been told that demand for T level placements could reach up to 250,000 placements. The Department’s own research has concerningly identified that fewer employers were interested in providing T Level placements in 2021 than in 2019 (30% vs. …
Gov response: To support the roll out of T Levels, we are removing funding from qualifications which overlap with T Levels to allow T Levels the space to thrive and allow as many young people as possible …
Accepted
#33 — Unclear number of students with protected characteristics disadvantaged by reforms, risking rise in NEET.
Recommendation: The Department’s equalities impact assessment identifies that some students with protected characteristics may be disadvantaged by the reforms as they may no longer be able to progress to a level 3 qualification. We heard that this could result in a …
Gov response: The Government is reforming qualifications at Level 3 because too many qualifications have low and no enrolments, are not sufficiently based on IfATE’s employer led occupational standards, and do not progress young people to related …
Not Addressed
#32 — Equalities assessment reveals disproportionate negative impact on vulnerable student groups from qualification reforms.
Recommendation: We are disappointed that the Department’s equalities impact assessment identifies that students with special educational needs and disabilities, Asian ethnic groups, students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and males are disproportionately likely to be affected by the Department’s qualification reforms. The Department’s …
Gov response: The Government is reforming qualifications at Level 3 because too many qualifications have low and no enrolments, are not sufficiently based on IfATE’s employer led occupational standards, and do not progress young people to related …
Not Addressed
#28 — Address urgent concerns regarding T Level dropout rates, accessibility, employer interest, and regional availability.
Recommendation: The evidence we have so far from the roll out of T Levels reveals major concerns that must be addressed as the programme moves forward. Around one-fifth of the first T Level cohort are estimated to have dropped out. Concerns …
Gov response: Following the introduction of T Levels in 2020, feedback from both students and providers has been positive. Of the outcomes achieved by learners in receipt of results for a T Level in the academic year …
Accepted
#23 — Regional economic variation poses a significant obstacle to equitable T Level access and success.
Recommendation: Regional variation in economic activity remains a significant obstacle to the success of T Levels. Evidence to our inquiry described T Levels as “a city-centric initiative”, and “the ‘urban qualification’ “. There is a risk that young people living in …
Gov response: The Department wants to ensure that all young people, regardless of their background or where they live, can access a high-quality technical education. T Levels are available in every region of the country, delivered by …
Not Addressed
#19 — Low recognition of T Levels among employers and young people threatens success and levelling up.
Recommendation: Recognition of T Levels remains low. If unaddressed, this will impede the success of T Levels. A 2021 Department survey showed that just under a quarter (24%) of employers were aware of T Levels. Other research indicates that 63% of …
Gov response: The Department is committed to raising awareness and understanding of T Levels among young people, parents and employers. We have a robust marketing and communications strategy in place which is continually reviewed, adapted and delivered …
Accepted
#12 — T Levels high-risk for students due to lack of lower qualification pathways
Recommendation: T Levels offer no pathway to a lower level of qualification for students who might otherwise drop out completely. This makes it a high-risk option for students, particularly in comparison to existing post-16 options such as A levels or Applied …
Gov response: If a student leaves their course early or does not pass all elements of their T Level, we want to make sure that they are recognised for the elements of a T Level they have …
Accepted
#33 — Foundation apprenticeships fail to target everyday sectors crucial for youth employment
Recommendation: Foundation apprenticeships have been welcomed by the sector. However, whilst these shorter apprenticeships rightly aim to help young people enter critical sectors, there are concerns about the Government’s decision not to target “everyday sectors”, such as the hospitality, retail and …
Gov response: There is no response for this recommendation.
Not Addressed
#21 — T Level programmes face significant challenges impacting student retention, satisfaction, and public awareness.
Recommendation: T Levels are a relatively new programme of study, and they should be given adequate time to develop and gain traction. However, if T Levels are to become the “gold-standard technical qualification” the Government must urgently address a number of …
Gov response: T Levels, introduced in 2020, now cover 21 subjects with strong outcomes (91.4% pass rate in 2025). The government is committed to expanding uptake, improving retention, and raising awareness through campaigns and ambassadors. 71% of …
Partially Accepted
#13 — Youth Guarantee eligibility too narrow, excluding 16-17 and 22-24 year olds.
Recommendation: The number of young people currently not in education, employment or training (NEET) in England is unacceptable both for the life chances of young people and for economic growth. The Government’s Youth Guarantee goes some way to support 18–21-year-olds to …
Gov response: PLANS ALREADY IN PLACE The Get Britain Working White Paper announced the Youth Guarantee for 18–21-year-olds in England to ensure young people are either learning and earning. This includes access to high-quality training, apprenticeships, and …
Accepted
#8 — Government devolution plans for skills are welcomed but exclude 16-19 education and training.
Recommendation: We welcome the Government’s plans to deepen and widen the devolution of skills and employment support in England. Devolving further powers to Strategic Authorities will help to drive growth, encourage the co- ordinated delivery of education and training services across …
Gov response: NOT TAKEN FORWARD The government funds the universal education offer up to the age of 18 and provides support to individuals who are furthest from the labour market, to help them re-enter the world of …
Not Accepted
#16 —
Recommendation: The Department acknowledged that the move to T levels was challenging, particularly delivering work placements which were an important element of the new qualifications.28 The ESFA emphasised the additional funding it had given to colleges to create work placements, and …
Gov response: 4: PAC conclusion: Successful implementation of the new T-level qualifications risks being delayed by a lack of work placements. 4: PAC recommendation: The Department should write to the Committee before the start of the next …
Under Consideration
#37 — Introduce moratorium on defunding Applied General Qualifications until T Levels prove superior effectiveness
Recommendation: The Department must place a moratorium on defunding Applied General Qualifications. Tried and tested Applied General Qualifications should only be withdrawn as and when there is a robust evidence base proving that T Levels are demonstrably more effective in preparing …
Gov response: The Government is reforming qualifications at Level 3 because too many qualifications have low and no enrolments, are not sufficiently based on IfATE’s employer led occupational standards, and do not progress young people to related …
Not Accepted
#36 — Require robust T Level success and placement capacity before scrapping further Applied General Qualifications
Recommendation: The ability of businesses to offer sufficient, high-quality industry placements, and a clear track record of T Level success as well as evidenced improvement in equalities outcomes, should be prerequisites to scrapping further Applied General Qualifications on the basis of …
Gov response: To support the roll out of T Levels, we are removing funding from qualifications which overlap with T Levels to allow T Levels the space to thrive and allow as many young people as possible …
Not Accepted
#34 — Applied General Qualifications play crucial role in promoting social mobility distinct from T Levels.
Recommendation: T Levels are a rigorous technical qualification which will offer the ideal pathway for many students, but they will not be the right choice for all learners. Applied General Qualifications serve a distinct and different purpose to T Levels, and …
Gov response: The Government is reforming qualifications at Level 3 because too many qualifications have low and no enrolments, are not sufficiently based on IfATE’s employer led occupational standards, and do not progress young people to related …
Not Accepted
#31 — Reforms risk inadvertently narrowing opportunities for young people's progression and success.
Recommendation: We welcome the Department’s ambition to simplify and declutter the post-16 landscape by tackling the 5,000 plus qualifications at level 3 and below with low or no enrolments. This will create a system that is clearer and easier to navigate, …
Gov response: Our overarching ambition is for an education system that rigorously prepares students to take their next step after school at 16, whether that be continued study or moving into work based training. The rationale for …
Not Accepted
#26 — Convene an employer-led industry placement taskforce with SMEs to tackle T Level scaling issues.
Recommendation: Scaling up T Level placements could have inadvertent negative consequences for other parts of the skills agenda by reducing employers’ willingness to continue with existing programmes such as apprenticeships, and supported internships which also require placements. The Department must convene …
Not Addressed
#24 — Lack of T Level industry placement forecast threatens the programme's successful rollout.
Recommendation: The Department has not published its own forecast of the number of industry placements that might be required once T Levels are fully rolled out. A clear acknowledgement of the scale of the challenge is needed, particularly as we have …
Gov response: The Department has previously published estimates of industry placement demand and we are committed to ensuring there are enough high-quality industry placements available for all T Level students. To ensure this, we are continuing to …
Accepted
#21 — Monitor T Level marketing success by publishing annual awareness statistics nationally and regionally.
Recommendation: The Department must monitor the success of its T Level marketing and communications strategy through the publication of annual statistics—at both national and regional level—on T Level awareness among young people and employers.
Gov response: The Department is committed to raising awareness and understanding of T Levels among young people, parents and employers. We have a robust marketing and communications strategy in place which is continually reviewed, adapted and delivered …
Not Addressed
#17 — Publish T Level and Transition Programme drop-out data, broken down by student characteristics.
Recommendation: The Department must publish data on the Transition Programme and T Level drop- out rate, broken down by key student characteristics. This should track whether students who took the Transition Programme have increased likelihood of dropping out of the T …
Gov response: The Department publishes data on T Level achievement and retention by student characteristics. This includes breakdowns for key characteristics such as gender, ethnicity, and free school meals (FSM) eligibility. This data is available in the …
Accepted
#15 — Review the Transition Programme to understand low learner progression to full T Levels.
Recommendation: The Department must work with providers to review the Transition Programme to determine why so few learners progress onto the full T Level. We would expect an effectively functioning Transition Programme to support at least half of learners to progress …
Gov response: T Levels and the T Level Transition Programme are still relatively new programmes, and providers are still learning how best to deliver them. The Department is working with providers to better understand early progression outcomes …
Not Addressed
#14 — T Level Transition Programme shows inadequate progression rates to full T Levels
Recommendation: Too many learners on the T Level Transition Programme do not progress on to a T Level. The reasons for this are unclear. Only 14% of the first Transition Programme cohort actually progressed to a T Level, and just under …
Gov response: T Levels and the T Level Transition Programme are still relatively new programmes, and providers are still learning how best to deliver them. The Department is working with providers to better understand early progression outcomes …
Not Addressed
#11 — T Levels lack balance between rigour and accessibility, limiting student uptake
Recommendation: T Levels are a rigorous qualification, and this is key to ensuring they equip students with the gold-standard technical skills required by employers and the economy. Nonetheless, we do not think that there is yet the right balance of rigour …
Gov response: The Committee also has an interest in the T Level Transition Programme, which we are continuing to develop to support access to T Levels for young people. The Department wants to ensure that the T …
Accepted
#10 — Examine government and UKRI efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion in STEM.
Recommendation: Should our successor Committee wish to consider levels of diversity and inclusion in STEM, we recommend it considers: • Examining whether the trends in STEM education, particularly in subject uptake and attainment, as well as the delivery of STEM curriculum …
No Published Response
#2 — Require Ofcom to prioritise age diversity in broadcasting workforce EDI strategies and reports.
Recommendation: We welcome Ofcom’s prioritisation of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and its annual report on EDI in the broadcasting workforce. We note, however, that, despite glaring underrepresentation of older people in radio and television, this is not currently a priority …
Gov response: “We recommend Ofcom ensure an increased focus on analysis of age diversity in its future reports on EDI in broadcasting, and promote equal prioritisation of age diversity alongside gender, racial and ethnic, LGBT+ and disability …
Partially Accepted
#16 — T Levels have not yet become the main technical qualification for young people.
Recommendation: In 2019, the Department stated that T Levels would become the main technical qualification option for 16- to 19-year-olds.46 In response to questions around how T Levels fit into its plans to address critical skills gaps across the economy, the …
Not Addressed
#15 — Department addresses employer concerns regarding T Level placements through funding and flexibility.
Recommendation: The Department also described its work to address employers’ concerns and challenges in offering placements.40 For example, we received written evidence from Make UK and EngineeringUK describing the health and safety concerns associated with hosting students.41 The Department described reintroducing …
Not Addressed
#14 — Colleges face significant challenges securing sufficient industry placements across diverse T Level sectors.
Recommendation: Colleges play a key role coordinating and securing industry placements for T Level students. They will need to find more placements as student numbers increase, ensuring employers can offer placements but also that they have the capacity to source and …
Not Addressed
#13 — Shortages in mandatory industry placements could limit future T Level student numbers.
Recommendation: Industry placements are a mandatory part of T Levels. Of those finishing their T Level in summer 2024, 98% had completed a placement. However, in August 2023, the Department estimated that shortages in placements could limit T Level places to …
Not Addressed
#12 — Many employers, particularly SMEs, remain unaware of T Level qualifications.
Recommendation: Employers play a critical role across T Levels, through helping to develop qualification content that meets their requirements and providing students with industry placements.27 However not all employers are aware of T Levels – the Department told us that currently …
Not Addressed
#7 — Department’s T Level starter forecasts are significantly higher than current enrolment numbers.
Recommendation: The Department’s latest forecast of 66,100 T Level starters in September 2029 is significantly more than the 25,508 students starting in September 2024. We asked the Department about its confidence in meeting this forecast – it told us it was …
Not Addressed
#2 — Publish plan to improve employer awareness of T Levels, capitalising on local arrangements.
Recommendation: There is a risk that colleges cannot secure enough industry placements for more students to complete their T Levels. Industry placements are a mandatory part of a T Level. While 98% of students finishing their T Level in summer 2024 …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Levels, to help increase the availability of industry placements. The department has already taken steps to improve employer awareness. There are now over 1,000 members of the T …
Accepted
#68 — Ensure adult education policy reflects diverse motivations and safeguards lifelong learning opportunities
Recommendation: As adult education policy and funding transitions to the Department for Work and Pensions, the Government must ensure that learning and training opportunities remain accessible to anyone seeking to enhance their skills, broaden their knowledge, or take incremental steps toward …
Gov response: PLANS ALREADY IN PLACE The Adult Skills Fund (ASF) is targeted at adults aged 19 and over. It is designed to support provision which will provide opportunities that enable learners to: • Catch up on …
Accepted
#17 — Strengthen support and intervention measures for Baker Clause compliance.
Recommendation: There is a stark disparity between how post-16 technical and vocational education and training pathways are presented to pupils and how academic pathways are presented, and fundamental differences in the levels of support and guidance that students receive about each. …
Gov response: There is no response for this recommendation.
Not Addressed
#14 — Expand Youth Guarantee eligibility to include all young people aged 16-24.
Recommendation: We recommend that the Government expands eligibility for the Youth Guarantee to include all 16–24-year-olds so that all young people are given the same opportunities to re-enter education or access employment. (Recommendation, Paragraph 57)
Gov response: PLANS ALREADY IN PLACE The Get Britain Working White Paper announced the Youth Guarantee for 18–21-year-olds in England to ensure young people are either learning and earning. This includes access to high-quality training, apprenticeships, and …
Not Accepted
#14 —
Recommendation: T levels are new technical qualifications which follow GCSEs and are equivalent to three A levels.23 In May 2018, the then Permanent Secretary at the Department had concerns about the feasibility of delivering T levels by the target date of …
Gov response: 4: PAC conclusion: Successful implementation of the new T-level qualifications risks being delayed by a lack of work placements. 4: PAC recommendation: The Department should write to the Committee before the start of the next …
Under Consideration
#40 — Expand flexi-job apprenticeship scheme to 5,000 by 2025, supporting SMEs and fair pay
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: The Government is committed to supporting employers in sectors with short-term, project based work to benefit from the high-quality training that apprenticeships offer. We awarded £5 million of grant funding to support the creation of …
Partially Accepted
#39 — Commission independent review to boost young people's apprenticeship starts through levy reform
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: The Government shares the Committee’s view on the value of apprenticeships as a high-quality career pathway for young people. In the 2021/22 academic year, 53% of apprenticeship starts were by those under 25. We want …
Partially Accepted
#38 — Prioritisation of older workers for apprenticeships limits opportunities for young people
Recommendation: The 19% increase in apprenticeship starts among under-19s between 2020/21 and 2021/22 is a positive step forward. However, all too often older, more highly qualified workers are being prioritised for apprenticeships at the expense of young people trying to get …
Gov response: The Government shares the Committee’s view on the value of apprenticeships as a high-quality career pathway for young people. In the 2021/22 academic year, 53% of apprenticeship starts were by those under 25. We want …
Accepted
#30 — Reinstate the £1,000 T Level placement incentive for small, medium, and micro businesses.
Recommendation: Up until July 2022, employers could claim £1,000 for every T Level industry placement. The Department must reinstate this incentive for small and medium enterprises, and microbusinesses, in order to facilitate their participation with T Levels. (Paragraph 104) The future …
Gov response: The employer incentive fund was launched as part of our response to the Covid-19 pandemic and was always intended to be a short-term fund. We have no intention to continue or reinstate the incentive fund …
Not Accepted
#29 — Monitor and annually publish evaluations on hybrid versus in-person T Level placement outcomes.
Recommendation: 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.
Gov response: The Technical Education Learner Survey (commissioned by DfE) is tracking the destinations of the first 2 T Level cohorts and we will be publishing the findings from the first cohort (1 year after completion) in …
Partially Accepted
#27 — Ensure hybrid T Level placements maintain workplace component quality and overall student experience.
Recommendation: We welcome the Department’s introduction of a hybrid model for T Level placements in certain subjects. This could help reduce the travel burden for students, and widen access to placements. It also reflects the preferences of some employers who called …
Gov response: We also plan to evaluate all placement delivery approaches (including hybrid/remote working) to understand how the models are used and the quality to placements these bring. We are continually monitoring all allowable delivery models to …
Accepted
#25 — Publish national and regional forecasts on potential industry placement demands and shortfalls.
Recommendation: The Department must publish forecasts on potential industry placement demands and shortfalls as soon as possible, at both national and regional level.
Not Addressed
#22 — Work with SMEs and careers hubs to promote T Levels to a broader audience.
Recommendation: The Department must work with small and medium-sized businesses as well as with the network of careers hubs supported by the Careers and Enterprise Company to promote T Levels to a wider audience.
Gov response: The Department is committed to raising awareness and understanding of T Levels among young people, parents and employers. We have a robust marketing and communications strategy in place which is continually reviewed, adapted and delivered …
Accepted
#20 — Improve T Level recognition among students, parents, and employers through an awareness campaign.
Recommendation: The Department must improve recognition of T Levels among students, parents and employers through a T Level awareness campaign that raises the profile of the new qualification at both a national and local level.
Gov response: The Department is committed to raising awareness and understanding of T Levels among young people, parents and employers. We have a robust marketing and communications strategy in place which is continually reviewed, adapted and delivered …
Accepted