University leaders in England are sounding the alarm over T-levels

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The heads of more than 100 colleges have warned that plans to shake up vocational training in England risk leaving thousands of graduates without access to higher education when they reach 16 because ministers have failed to implement a ‘plan of consistent implementation”.

The government aims to complete the introduction of the new T-level qualifications, which started in 2020, over the next two academic years for 16-18 year olds in subjects such as construction, health, science and business. They will have stricter entry requirements than the approximately 160 professional courses, including BTecs, which they are designed to replace.

In a letter to Education Secretary Gillian Keegan seen by the Financial Times, leaders of 113 colleges said they supported the principle of rigorous qualification but were concerned the government was “sleepwalking” into a situation that would exacerbate the shortage of skilled workers in the country.

“THE Department of Education made clear that T-levels should be the only career path available, defunding at least 160 existing qualifications, potentially leaving no alternatives for hundreds of thousands of students. We are not against this change. We oppose the lack of a well thought out and coherent implementation plan,” the letter warns.

He accused the department of failing to follow “a basic change process, with risks clearly defined and mitigated.” College leaders have called for an approach that “understands the needs of all students and charts clear paths for all at a time when the economy needs every single current and future employee.”

The letter urged Keegan to consider retaining existing qualifications until two years of students had completed T-level equivalent courses “to greatly reduce the risks”.

Nikos Savvas, head of West Suffolk College and co-ordinator of the letter, said the transition would cause “immense economic damage”. Jobs such as nursing and police services could be affected as a BTec in public services is one to be cut, he added.

The move is the latest warning to the government that its promise to boost skills could, in practice, make it harder for employers to hire well-trained workers, worsening an already tight job market.

The letter echoes similar concerns raised in a report by the House of Commons Select Committee on Education last month, which said ‘moving forward’ with reforms risked leaving people ‘stranded without suitable qualifications pathways’ and exacerbating the shortage of workers”.

The Government said: ‘We are delighted that colleges are recognizing that T-Levels are well on their way to becoming the world-class, highly respected and high-profile qualifications we all want to see.

“Our qualifications reforms, including the introduction of T-levels, are all part of our driving mission to ensure more young people get the skills they need to progress into great jobs. They are now being successfully delivered by over 160 suppliers and we are continuing our reforms so that young people have the skills employers need.”