Yesterday in the Commons, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education, Nadhim Zahawi MP, announced Government proposals to boost the quality and uptake of Higher Technical Qualifications.
Over the last year, the Government has undertaken a comprehensive Review of classroom based higher technical education, which provides an alternative to apprenticeships at Level 4 and 5.
The consultation launched yesterday sets out proposals to address the multiple related challenges and opportunities, identified through the Review. The Government’s review of Higher Technical Education found that there is growing employer demand for the skills provided by Higher Technical Education.
Under news plans, Level 4 and 5 qualifications are being renamed and revamped. Such qualifications will be rebadged as Higher Technical Qualifications and quality approved, in a drive to attract more students to study them.
The CBI have predicted that in 5 years’ time almost half (47%) of all employment will be in management, professional and technical roles - boosting demand for the specialist skills that Higher Technical Qualifications provide.
Lucy Allan said:
“I welcome this much needed overall of technical education. We are increasingly seeing how important technical skills are at this level in the world of work as we move towards a more automated world and workplace.
“It is vitally important that young people are not only encouraged to take up this route of education but also shown the benefits of technical skills that many employers are so desperately in need of.”
