Make UK quote on Damina Hinds level 4 and 5 qualifications announcement

Commenting on the announcement by Damian Hinds on changes to level 4 and 5 technical qualifications, Tim Tomas, Director of Employment & Skills Policy at Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation, said:

“The supply of skills at higher levels is a long-standing barrier for manufacturers eager take advantage of the latest technologies – in artificial intelligence, cobots, robots and the 4^th Industrial revolution. The greater focus on higher technical training promised by today’s announcement will then be welcomed by the UK’s makers, who never gave up on qualifications such as HNDs that are still valued and have currency in the skills marketplace.

“But, rebadging qualifications manufacturers already know well and have always valued as part of a 10-year ambition won’t convert a trickle to a flood of new workers unless its backed up by actions to match the words. Schools must be mandated to signpost learners from early years towards technical routes, T-levels need to seen as an option that’s better than A-levels for some, and government needs to put its hand in its pocket and fund both the capital costs and fees needed for higher level technical qualifications that often cost more to deliver than they funding they get.”