Hazel ShearingEducation correspondent
Getty Images
New vocational courses called V-levels will be rolled out for 16-year-olds under government plans to simplify a “confusing landscape” of qualifications in England.
They are set to replace Level 3 BTecs and other post-16 technical qualifications.
Ministers also plan to reduce the number of teenagers resitting maths and English GCSEs by introducing a new “stepping stone” qualification.
The Sixth Form Colleges Association warned that V-levels may not fill the gap left by BTecs.
Ministers are expected to lay out proposals for higher education funding, including university tuition fees, on Monday afternoon.
The government has launched a consultation on its V-level plans, which form part of its post-16 education and skills white paper.
They come after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stressed the importance of vocational training, announcing a target for two-thirds of young people to go to university or study a technical qualification.
Lola Marshall, 17, hopes to do an apprenticeship after her health and social care extended diploma at Leeds City College, and said there wasn’t enough discussion about vocational routes at school.
“Everyone always talked about university and no one ever really helped me decide whether I wanted to do university or an apprenticeship,” she said.
BBC / Hope Rhodes
Lola says alternative vocational options were not discussed much when she was at school
It is not yet clear when V-levels will be introduced, how they will be rolled out, or which subjects will be on offer – although the Department for Education (DfE) gave craft and design and media, broadcast and production as examples.
Skills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith said V-levels aimed to simplify options for students.
“There are over 900 courses at the moment that young people have the choice of, and it’s confusing,” she said.
“[V-levels] will build on what’s good about BTecs and other alternative qualifications – the ability to be able to work practically, the concentration on things that are going to lead to employment.”
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the new courses would simplify a “fragmented” and “confusing” system for young people, while giving them a “vocational route into great careers”.
The government was boosting investment in further education, she added, in order to ensure there are enough teachers to deliver them.
Students will still be able to study A-levels
Read More