Funding to create tens of thousands of placements on building sites has been announced.
The government has published a plan to support schools and colleges to transition from legacy qualifications at the same level, including BTECs, to a clearer system of V Levels, T Levels and A Levels from 2027 as options after GCSEs, along with two new qualifications for lower attaining students to support them to progress beyond GCSEs.
New subjects have been announced for the second year of delivery in 2028, including construction design, bricklaying and plumbing.
Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said: “We’re removing the snobbery from hands-on learning and putting it on par with academic to break down barriers for young people to get rewarding jobs.
“Our landmark vocational qualifications and placements will create a strong pipeline of workers by equipping young people with the real-world skills that employers need and that will fuel the jobs of the future.”
Announced in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, V Levels will sit alongside A levels and T levels. Equivalent to one A Level, they will allow students to mix and match academic and vocational subjects if they do not yet know where they want to specialise.
For 16-year-olds who are not ready to progress beyond GCSEs due to lower attainment, there are two new qualifications:
- Occupational Certificates: two-year courses for those who want to get into work or an apprenticeship but need support to achieve English and Maths GCSEs.
- Foundation Certificates: one-year courses for students who want to progress to A-Levels, T Levels or V Levels but need extra support to pass their GCSEs.
New subjects available from 2028 include:
- V Levels in construction design.
- Occupation Certificates in bricklaying, painting, and plumbing.
