Ofqual is today revealing that more than 334,000 results for
vocational and technical qualifications are due to be issued this
August, in a move that marks the first significant step towards
parity of treatment between A Levels and Level 3 VTQs. Every year
A Level entries are published, but this is the first year ever
that similar data has been published for VTQs.
The publication is the first milestone in Ofqual’s Action Plan to
deliver parity of treatment, and is the culmination of 2,500
schools and colleges in England confirming with awarding
organisations which of their students expect to get Level 3 VTQ
results this summer.
Ofqual Chief Regulator, Dr Jo Saxton, said “As astonishing as it
seems, never have we had a definitive picture of the number of
vocational and technical results expected ahead of results day,
even though this has been in place for GCSEs and A levels for
many years.
“I am personally committed to doing everything I can to deliver
parity of treatment across qualifications. Over the years, we’ve
heard a lot of words about parity, but the publication of this
data represents the first concrete actions in securing parity for
all students. I would like to thank everyone who has worked hard
to complete the first stage of the VTQ Action Plan. There
is still, of course, more work to be done in the coming weeks and
months and I would urge school and college leaders to ensure
their staff continue to engage with awarding organisations in
this final strait of qualification delivery.
“Every student deserves the chance to move on quickly and
smoothly to the next stage of their career after working hard to
obtain their qualifications – whether they study VTQs or A levels
or a combination.”
Ofqual launched this work last December in its VTQ Results Action
Plan, which sets out steps and expectations of awarding
organisations to make sure students receive their results when
they expect them. Ofqual is working with a new VTQ Taskforce,
made up of sector representatives, to oversee its delivery. The
data shared today was obtained through the completion of the
first checkpoint as set out in the plan.
David Hughes, Chief Executive of Association of Colleges, said:
“With an economy crying out for people with technical skills, it
is pleasing to see just how many young people are on course to
achieve VTQs this summer.
“We should celebrate their successes just as much we do the
achievements of their peers doing A Levels; and now we can see
the huge number expecting a result, we can begin to understand
the positive impact this part of the education system has on the
economy and on young people’s lives.”
Dr Saxton has also written to schools and colleges this week
thanking them for the progress so far and urging everyone
involved to keep up the momentum so that students taking Level 3
VTQs will get results as planned by Thursday 17 August.
