Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Skills (): Today, I am pleased to
announce the next stage in the government’s review of post-16
qualifications at level 2 and below[1] in England – the
publication of the response to our consultation on the review of
qualifications that are approved for public funding at these
levels. After confirming our reforms to level 3 qualifications
last year, we are now confirming our policy on qualifications at
level 2 and below following our consultation which ran from 2
March to 27 April 2022.
This is a vital next step towards reforming and revitalising
technical education. Streamlining and improving post-16 education
and skills is at the heart of our plan to strengthen the economy
and create jobs. Students and employers will benefit from a
joined-up, dynamic education system that can adapt to rapidly
changing priorities.
The current qualification landscape at level 2 and below is
complex, and whilst many of the qualifications are likely to be
excellent, it is not a consistent picture. Qualifications that
are funded in future should be necessary, high quality and have a
distinct purpose. Crucially, these qualifications should also
support progression to successful outcomes for the students who
take them, whether this is into a higher level of study, or
directly into skilled employment. In a fast-moving and modern
economy, it is vital that we bridge the gap between what people
study and the needs of employers.
To mirror the approach we have taken at level 3, we have grouped
qualifications at level 2 and below according to their primary
purpose. By clarifying the purpose of each qualification, we will
enable students to see how their choice of qualification will
lead to a positive outcome, whether this is to further study or
directly into employment. Further Education colleges, schools,
other providers and careers advisers will play a key role in
delivering information, advice and guidance to prospective
students to ensure they are directed towards a qualification that
will meet their needs.
I would like to thank those who took the time to respond to our
consultation.[2] Amongst the 410 responses, there was strong
support for the aim of simplifying the qualification landscape
and improving the quality of provision, and for the groups of
qualifications we proposed to fund in future. Other themes from
the consultation responses included: the importance of
flexibility for students studying at these levels; the potential
impact of reducing qualification choice on students from
disadvantaged backgrounds and with Special Educational Needs
and/or Disabilities (SEND); and the need for a phased approach to
the timing and sequencing of the reforms.
The response we are publishing today confirms that we will fund
all of the qualification groups proposed, proceed with setting
national standards for personal, social and employability (PSE)
qualifications and consulting on these, and consider updating the
National Standards for Adult Literacy and Numeracy. We have made
changes to allow greater flexibility, for example allowing
providers to offer level 2 qualifications leading to employment
to 16-19 year olds in less than two years, depending on the size
of the reformed qualification and how it fits alongside the other
essential elements of the study programme.
As the aim of this reform is to improve qualification provision
at level 2 and below, we expect students over-represented at this
level such as those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with SEND
to be the biggest recipients of the benefits of these changes. We
will work with the sector to explore how best to support students
to progress by having flexibilities in place to ensure students
with SEND can access our proposed qualification groups. We will
also regularly review the mix and balance of qualifications
approved to ensure we are meeting the needs of all learners.
We have reviewed the implementation timeline and, while we want
momentum, we also want to introduce these reforms at a manageable
pace for schools and colleges, given the extent of change to the
wider qualifications landscape, including at level 3. That’s why
we are making sure first reformed qualifications at level 2 and
below will be available for teaching from September 2025 rather
than 2024. Further reformed qualifications will be phased in for
2026, with final reforms in 2027.
I look forward to engaging with the sector as we implement these
important reforms.
[1] For definitions of levels, see https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels(opens
in a new tab)
[2] As previously set out, GCSEs, Functional Skills
Qualifications (FSQs) and Essential Digital Skills Qualifications
(EDSQs) were not in scope of this consultation.
