TO BE PUBLISHED March 2025
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This conference will consider the future of Level 3 qualifications and priorities for the post-16 qualification landscape in England.
It will be an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the place of Applied General Qualifications alongside T Levels, A-levels and alternative academic qualifications (AAQs), following the DfE’s recently published response to its Focused review of Post-16 qualifications reform at Level 3 and below.
Delegates will examine findings from the review, which confirmed that courses considered key to the Government’s growth missions will not be defunded, with most - including those that overlap with T Levels - to have funding remain in place until either July 2026 or July 2027. Discussion will also consider future funding options beyond 2027.
Looking at AAQs and reformed technical qualifications, those attending will assess their rollout and delivery so far, following the launch of the reform process under the previous government. The approval process for AAQs will be assessed, including how to ensure that it effectively meets the needs of the labour market and helps students develop the skills required for the future.
The role and priorities for Skills England will be discussed, including in commissioning the development of technical qualifications, running procurements, and granting and managing awarding organisation licenses. Delegates will also discuss potential strategies for utilising Level 3 qualifications to fill emerging and existing gaps in skills, both locally and nationally, as well as Skills England’s potential impact on the qualification landscape and learner options moving forward.
The agenda will also focus on priorities for T Levels, with recently announced requirements relating to T Level placements, including reduced hours and remote learning. Sessions will consider the potential impact of new measures on recruitment and retention, and further approaches to improving student satisfaction and increasing enrolment of students in the T Level Foundation Year and T Level programmes. Delegates will look at working with employers to improve work placements and student progression, including into higher level apprenticeships and employment, and engaging with employers in rural areas to increase student options.
Further sessions focus on the impact of reform to the post-16 qualification landscape on staff workload, as well as student choice and satisfaction. Delegates will also assess the offer for adult learners and the role of qualifications at Level 3 in improving social mobility, and accessibility of qualification options for learners with additional needs. They will assess the destinations of students taking Level 3 qualifications and how well the reformed qualifications are likely to prepare students for further study and the labour market, also looking at the alignment of qualifications at Level 2 and below with Level 3 reform.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include officials from DfE; DBT; DESNZ; DSIT; IfATE; NAO; MOJ; DoE, NI; and DfE, NI.
