portrait of a young trainee mechanic in a garage

The government’s plans for New technical T-level qualifications have been slammed by Greater Manchester MP Angela Rayner as meaningless spin.

The vocational qualifications, which are intended to have an equal status to A-levels, are a “vital part of our industrial strategy”, the prime minister said

52 colleges and post-16 providers in England will teach the new courses.

Courses in construction, digital and education & childcare will be first taught from September 2020. A further 22 courses will be rolled out in stages from 2021, which will cover sectors such as finance & accounting, engineering & manufacturing, and creative & design.

In his response to the T Level consultation, also published today, the Education Secretary Damian Hinds also committed to working with businesses and learning from our international competitors to ensure these new qualifications lead to a generational shift in technical education.

However Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Education, said:

“Today’s announcement is little more than meaningless spin.

“The Department for Education’s Permanent Secretary has already said that T-Levels cannot feasibly be implemented on time without a serious risk to taxpayers’ money.

“The decision to push ahead against the advice of officials is a desperate attempt to mask the Government’s failure to properly prepare for T-Levels.

“World class technical education cannot simply be delivered by press release, while avoiding the impact of years of cuts on the sector.

“The next Labour government will transform further education, giving it the funding it needs to deliver T-Levels across the whole FE sector, ensuring free, high quality training is available for all those who need it throughout their lives.”

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