MPs warn ‘rushing’ post-16 education reforms could worsen skills shortage

A crossbench committee of MPs has warned that “rushing ahead with major reforms to post-16 qualifications risks leaving young people stranded without suitable qualification pathways”.

The report from the education committee also said the rush to reform could risk “deepening” worker shortages in key sectors.

The MPs’ caution comes as academics and travel industry figures are sounding the alarm about plans to defund Level 3 qualifications in England, including travel and tourism courses.

Travel and tourism lecturers have ramped up their political lobbying efforts to highlight the value of Level 3 qualifications, which face the axe in England.

More: Travel lecturers and trade bodies fight moves to defund courses

And a petition calling on the government to recognise the importance of tourism, hospitality and events (THE) education to the UK economy has surpassed 1,200 signatures.

The lobbying is in response to the Department for Education’s (DfE) plans to withdraw funding from Applied General Qualifications (AGQs), such as Btecs and Level 3 travel and tourism qualifications.

The DfE plans to streamline the post-16 Level 3 qualifications system with a focus on A-levels and technical T-levels.

The committee urges DfE to place a moratorium on the withdrawal of funding for AGQs until there is “robust” evidence that T Levels are “demonstrably more effective” at helping students progress, meeting industry needs and promoting social mobility.

It warned that withdrawing funding for many AGQs “prematurely risks constricting student choice and narrowing progression opportunities”.

There were several concerns about the introduction of T Levels including an “apparent decline” in employer interest in offering placements.

Education committee chair Robin Walker MP said: “It is essential that DfE promotes [T Levels] among students and the thousands of employers needed to supply work placements, or else T Levels will fail to make a meaningful difference.

“The planned withdrawal of AGQs will constrict student choice and could deepen the skills shortages that these reforms are meant to fix…effectively pulling the rug from under the further education system.

The report noted that the Sixth Form Colleges Association said DfE should “wait for evidence… before making potentially irreversible and hugely damaging decisions”.
The Institute of Directors and the Association of Employers and Learning Providers gave similar warnings.