November 2021
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference examined the outlook for level 3 qualifications following the publication of the Government’s plans for reforms to the system, which aim to clarify qualification and training routes and streamline the qualifications system by providing three main paths for people who have completed GCSEs, A Levels, T Levels, and apprenticeships.
Taking place following the roll-out of the second wave of T Levels, which began in September 2021, the discussion also considered wider issues around reform, such as priorities for improving awareness of the T Level qualification - with some in the sector concerned that the number of T Level industry placements cannot be scaled up within the timescale provided to meet the demands of the reformed landscape.
In addition, discussion was expected on the impact reform will have on the parity of esteem between vocational and academic qualifications.
Alongside the Government’s proposals, delegates considered the impact of the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill and assessed the outlook for improved training and upskilling opportunities in light of its measures.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote contributions on:
- Post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below following the review - from Lucy Andrew, Deputy Director, Technical Education & Qualifications Reform Division, Department for Education
- Assessing the impact of reform on the qualification market and learner accessibility - from Bethany Hughes, Senior Manager - VTQ Strategic Relationships, Ofqual
- The future for Applied General Qualifications - from Jill Duffy, CEO, OCR
- The outlook for the qualification system going forward - from Rob Nitsch, Chief Operating Officer, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Attendees
Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places were reserved by officials from the Department for Education; the Department for International Trade; the Department for the Economy, NI; the Department of Education, NI; the DWP; the Government Legal Department; House of Commons Library; the Intellectual Property Office; the Valuation Office Agency; the Welsh European Funding Office; and the Welsh Government. Representatives who also attended were from AAT; Absolute Return for Kids; Bishop Challoner Catholic College, Birmingham; City & Guilds; City of Bradford MDC; Education & Skills Funding Agency; Food and Drink Education and Training Co; Gatsby Charitable Foundation; Hodder Education; Institute of Physics; Kantar; Kirklees College, Huddersfield; Leyton Sixth Form College, London; Lifetime Training; Long Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge; National Theatre; NCG; NFER; North Kent College; North Tyneside Council; OCR; Portsmouth City Council; Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons; RSL Awards; Sheffield Hallam University; Skills and Education Group Awards; Staffordshire University; STEM Learning; The Careers and Enterprise Company; The Council for Licensed Conveyancers; The Open University; The Prospect Trust; Twyford C of E High School; University for the Creative Arts; University of Sheffield; University of the West of England; Weston College, Somerset; and Wiltshire College & University Centre.
