The UK government has introduced V-Levels, a new qualification available for students aged 16-19 years old which they will be able to take together with their A-Levels.
V-Levels will be available alongside T-Levels and A-Levels, replacing 900 other qualifications to greatly simplify the options available for young people seeking further education.
The new qualifications are vocational and tied to real-world job standards, providing a way for young people to explore sectors including engineering, agriculture, creative industries, and more before they choose where they would like to specialise.
The government said it will launch a consultation to support the introduction of V-Levels, and that it would expand T-Levels to include other subject areas.
V-Levels were announced today as part of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, which aims to reform the education system to simplify and improve the options available for young people seeking further study.
Other changes planned by the government include a new qualification for those with lower English and Maths GSCE scores, aimed at preparing them to resit those examinations.
The government will also roll out two new pathways at level 2 to help young people move onto a level 3 qualification or to join the workforce.
It said that to support support universities in continuing to deliver world-class teaching and research, tuition fees would rise in line with forecast inflation for the next two academic years.
After two years, Parliament will pass legislation to enable automatic inflationary increases in fee caps, but only for universities that meet new quality thresholds.
“Young people from all backgrounds feel they have been let down by a system that talks about opportunity but too often fails to deliver it,” said Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
“This government and this White Paper will change that – restoring the prestige of higher and further education so every person, in every part of our country, has the chance to get on.”
“These reforms will ensure value for money, higher standards across our universities and colleges and a renewed focus on the skills our economy needs,” she said.
Concerns over support for college staff
Responding to the announcement that V-levels will be rolled out in the UK, the University and College Union (UCU) said this plan will fail unless the pay of college staff is substantially increased.
“Tearing up the current post-16 qualification framework and asking already overworked staff to create completely new courses will require substantial investment from the government,” said UCU general secretary Jo Grady.
“Ministers must set out a clear roadmap that shows how colleges will recruit and retain the skilled further education staff needed to deliver the new V-level qualifications.”
“Believing you can use colleges to get more young people into work and training without increasing staff pay is just pie in the sky thinking,” Grady said.
Association of School and College Leaders general secretary Pepe Di’Iasio took a more favourable view of the announcement, stating that this will help tackle the many young people not in employment, education, or training.
“We are pleased that the government has recognised the importance of having a third vocational pathway to sit alongside the academic and technical qualifications offered by A-levels and T-levels,” Di’Iasio said.
“It is vital that post-16 students are provided with a choice of pathways which suit the interests and aspirations of different learners, and supports them in accessing higher education, apprenticeships, and careers.”
“We have to get to grips with the fact that a very large number of young people are currently not in education, employment or training. Ensuring that there are a range of excellent pathways available to all our students is essential in tackling this issue,” Di’Iasio added.
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