Government urged to continue BTEC funding

The Education Committee has written to the Education Secretary and the Minister for Skills urging them not to withdraw funding from post-16 Applied General Qualifications, including BTECs and Tech level qualifications.
 
It follows the cross-party Committee’s evidence session on 3 December, in which further education experts and workforce representatives spoke of their concerns.
 
The Government has said it will make its decision on whether to cut funding for AGQs, a policy of the previous government, following the completion of ‘a short review’ – due before the end of the year.  
 
Witnesses in yesterday’s session told the Committee that although for some students T-levels are a highly successful option, without the option of AGQs, young people could be left without suitable options to gain qualifications for their future careers or progress to higher education. MPs were also told that questions over funding have left colleges in an uncertain position on whether they can continue offering AGQs in the coming years, causing anxiety for young people making decisions about their future education.
 
Education Committee Chair Helen Hayes said: “Technical qualifications are essential to the economy and young people's life chances. We heard that the previous government's attempts to mend the patchwork of post-16 qualifications could lead to bigger holes and frayed confidence in our system. We hope ministers will listen to the evidence and retain popular, high quality AGQ and BTEC qualifications which provide vital routes to success for many young people alongside A Levels and T Levels.”