The findings published on Tuesday (14 August) by the
Department for Education form part of an ongoing review
of education at Level 4 and 5. These qualifications are
higher than an A level qualification (Level 3) but
lower than a degree (Level 6).
Qualifications at this level include Diplomas of Higher
Education and Foundation Degrees in subjects such as
engineering and digital. They are offered at
universities and Further Education colleges – such as
the London South Bank University and the National
College for Nuclear.
The Government is determined to drive up participation
in further education and training. This is central to
the modern Industrial Strategy, and includes
introducing new T Levels from 2020 and creating more
high quality apprenticeships.
Welcoming the interim findings of the report,
Apprenticeships and Skills Minister said:
We want everyone to be able to access high quality
technical education and training so they can get the
skills they need. Having these skills can change
people’s lives, leading to a rewarding career and
fantastic opportunities.
These early findings show how learning at Level 4 and
5 can benefit people of all ages and a wide variety
of backgrounds, whilst helping employers get the
skilled workforce they need.
This research will play an important part of our
ongoing review of Level 4 and 5 qualifications so we
can understand how we can make education at this
level work even better for everyone.
Initial findings from the review highlight for the
first time the benefits of studying a qualification at
Level 4 or 5, including:
- Studying at this level can increase earning
potential and employability - students achieving a
Level 4 or 5 qualification by age 23 had higher median
wages by the time they were 26 and were more likely to
be in sustained employment than students who achieved a
Level 3.
- A growing demand for qualifications at this level
from employers in key sectors such as ICT and
Engineering – meaning increased take up could play an
important role in the UK economy, helping to plug
technical skills gap and boost productivity.
- Learners at this level often study part-time, and
come from diverse backgrounds – highlighting how
studying at this level could boost learning and job
opportunities for hundreds of thousands more people
across the country.
Research shows that only around 7% of people in England
aged between 18 and 65 are undertaking training at this
level, one of the lowest rates in the OECD. Only around
200,000 people are currently studying for
qualifications at this level compared with around 2
million studying across Level 3 and Level 6.
Level 4 and 5 education is currently being reviewed by
the Department for Education, focusing on how technical
qualifications at this level can better address the
needs of learners and employers.
The review forms part of the Department’s work to boost
skills and improve Higher and Further Education,
including the implementation of the Post-16 Skills
Plan. It is focusing on classroom based technical
education and considering how Level 4 and 5
qualifications alongside T Levels and apprenticeships
can help deliver the skills the economy needs.
The Government is also carrying out a review of post-18
education and funding to make sure the system is joined
up and works for everyone, including a review of
qualifications at GCSE and Key Stage Four level to make
sure they are high quality and lead to employment or
further study.
