Commenting on the announcement of three V-Level qualifications to be offered from September 2027, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“V-Levels have real potential to widen access to high‑quality vocational and technical education, but only if reforms protect student choice, maintain equity, and avoid defunding existing qualifications before proven alternatives are in place.
“We urge the government to phase in the introduction of V-Levels to avoid a cliff‑edge for the many young people currently studying existing level 3 qualifications including BTECs. These qualifications provide tried and tested progression routes – especially for students with lower GCSE attainment, those from disadvantaged backgrounds and young people with SEND.
“Delivering on the government’s ambitions for post‑16 education also depend on addressing the chronic and long-term underinvestment in FE staff pay and recruitment. A fairly rewarded workforce is essential to success.
“Ministers are right to focus on the rising numbers of young people not in education, employment or training. However, continuing to push students without a grade 4 in English and maths down a single, one‑size‑fits‑all route is not the answer. Ending the GCSE resit policy and offering a broader range of relevant qualifications would better equip young people for work, further study and life.”