It’s not helped by the fact that the UK government is making a number of ongoing reforms to vocational qualifications, with a number of new qualifications being created and abolished.
For example, the rollout of the new T-Level qualifications are designed to offer a practical alternative to the traditional, more academic A-Levels. But these T-Levels are also going to displace and replace other vocational qualifications, such as BTECs.
Confused yet? We don’t blame you.
So, in this article, we’ll take a look at the key vocational qualifications that we’ve covered in other Born to Engineer articles, and explain some of the high level changes that are projected to take place in 2024. We’ll also provide a recap of the changes that have taken place so far, and what they mean for you.
We’ll explain a little bit more about the UK government’s reforms to vocational education, and we’ll provide an update on the the rollout of the newest vocational qualifications, T-Levels. It’s been three years since the government began introducing them. How are things progressing?
How the government plans to reform vocational & technical qualifications
In 2016, the UK Department for Education (DfE) announced plans to both simplify and improve the quality of vocational and technical qualifications being offered to 16-19 year olds.
These reforms are also designed to ensure that technical or vocational qualifications are aligned with standards in the workplace, ensuring that prospective engineers are going into the workplace with the skills they need to excel.
Part of this simplification has been the introduction of the new technical qualification, the T-Level. It’s been three years since the government began introducing them. How are things progressing?
The rollout of T-Levels
If you’re not familiar with T-Levels, let’s do a quick recap.
T-Levels are designed to be new qualifications designed to act as vocational equivalents to A-Levels. They’re designed to combine classroom learning with more intensive, applied workplace learning.
They are 2-year courses that, like A-Levels, you can take after the completion of your GCSEs. Since the rollout of T-Levels in 2020, 16 qualifications have been introduced, with the Department of Education announcing its intention to introduce 24 qualifications in total.
All T-Levels include the opportunity for students to take part in work placements, which make up 20% of the T-Level. They are required to last for a total of 45 days/315 hours.
What are the current T-Level engineering qualifications?
There are a number of engineering qualifications that have already been introduced. These include
- Building Services Engineering for Construction
- Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing
- Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
- Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
What can I do after I’ve completed an engineering T-Level?
An engineering T-Level can prepare you to move on to an engineering apprenticeship or higher education.
If you are thinking of moving on to higher education after completing a T-Level, these new qualifications are also worth UCAS tariff points. Here’s how T-Levels compare with A-Levels if you’re thinking of applying to university.
UCAS tariff points | T Level grade | A level grade |
| 168 | Distinction* (A* on the core and distinction in the occupational specialism) | AAA* |
| 144 | Distinction | AAA |
| 120 | Merit | BBB |
| 96 | Pass (C or above on the core) | CCC |
| 72 | Pass (D or E on the core) | DDD |
Are T-Levels replacing other vocational qualifications?
The short answer is it depends on which other post-16 engineering qualifications you might be considering. We can say for sure that the rollout of T-Levels is going to affect you if you’re thinking about studying for another post-16 qualification, such as a BTEC or an NVQ. In this next section, we’ll take a closer look at those qualifications that have been affected.
How the government plans to reform vocational & technical qualifications
In 2016, the UK Department for Education (DfE) announced plans to both simplify and improve the quality of vocational and technical qualifications being offered to 16-19 year olds.
These reforms are also designed to ensure that technical or vocational qualifications are aligned with standards in the workplace, ensuring that prospective engineers are going into the workplace with the skills they need to excel.
T-Levels & BTECs
Like T-Levels, BTECs (named for the Business and Technology Education Council that originally founded) are practical, vocational qualifications. T-Levels and BTECs are also ‘Level 3’ qualifications, meaning you can take them after you’ve completed your GCSEs.
But there are also a few key differences between BTECs and T-Levels. The most obvious difference is that, because BTECs are a much older qualification, there are many more course options.
At first glance, it might seem like BTECs are the better choice, as there are a wider range of engineering courses.
But the UK government will soon phase out a number of BTEC qualifications in engineering where the course content overlaps with T-Levels.
These are the BTEC qualifications that the official UK government website, GOV.UK, has said are being phased out in favour of T-Levels.
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Engineering
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Engineering
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
- BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Engineering
- BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
- BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
T-Levels & NVQs
NVQs are work-based qualifications that you can take through your local school, college or employer. Again, there are similarities between NVQs and T-Levels, though it’s worth noting that T-Levels will typically involve more classroom learning.
Fewer engineering related NVQ qualifications appear to have been affected by the rollout of T-Levels. Nevertheless, the UK government has announced that the following electronic engineering and construction-related NVQ qualifications have been defunded.
- EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment)
- City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrotechnical Services (Electrical Maintenance)
- City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment)
- City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating (Gas Fired Water and Central Heating Appliances)
- Pearson Edexcel Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations
- EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems
T-Levels & City & Guilds qualifications
The education provider City and Guilds also offers a number technical qualification, including the TechBac. City and Guilds also deliver a number of T-Level qualifications.
Some existing City and Guilds qualifications are also being defunded and discontinued as a result of the rollout of T-Levels. City and Guilds have also put together a list of these qualifications on their website.
Here’s a list of the main vocational engineering qualifications being discontinued by City and Guilds.
- Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Engineering Maintenance (Electrical)
- Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Construction – Fabrication Steel Erecting
- Level 3 Diploma in Engineering: Composites Engineering.
How will technical and vocational qualifications change beyond 2024?
We appreciate it’s hard to stay on track of every change to vocational qualifications. And it’s not just prospective engineering students who must stay ahead of the curve. Schools, colleges, teachers, exam boards and further education providers are also trying to stay up to date with changes to the technical and vocational qualification landscape.
The UK government has indicated that there will be further changes to both academic and technical qualifications in the coming 5-10 years.
At the most recent Conservative Party conference in 2023, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced his plans for a new Advanced British Standard qualification for 16-19 year olds.
The Advanced British Standard will be a new baccalaureate style qualification, designed to academic and technical qualifications together into a single framework. This new framework is designed to give students the flexibility to study either A-Levels, T-Levels or a combination of both.
The government is currently consulting on how the Advanced British Standard will work, and the current whitepaper published by the DfE has acknowledged that the full rollout of an Advanced British Standard could take up to a decade.
It’s also worth noting that the UK is expected to hold its next General Election in 2024. One possible outcome of this election is that the Labour Party could replace the Conservatives in government.
A change of government can often lead to a change of policy. In the case of education, it remains to be seen if a new government continues with the rollout of an Advanced British Standard or suggests new education reforms of its own.
What should I do if I’m considering a vocational engineering qualification in 2024?
The short answer? Don’t feel like you have to make massive changes to your plans. If you’re considering studying towards an apprenticeship or T-Levels, then there’s a good chance that there isn’t going to be much change to the existing qualifications framework.
However, if you are thinking of taking any of the BTEC, NVQ or City and Guild qualifications above, you may need to reconsider your plans.
Overall, the outlook for vocational engineering qualifications is bright.