01 June 2026
UK Government publishes post-16 pathways implementation plan
The UK Government has set out its implementation plan for post-16 pathways, including the introduction of V Levels. The plan reflects the policies set out in its Skills White paper last year and is based on three key principles;
The ultimate aim is for ‘every student entering post-16 education will have a clear choice of high-quality pathways’.
The plan includes the introduction of V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates (to be taught from September 2027), further delivery of T Levels and transition from the T Level Foundation Year. The first V Levels expected to be taught from 2027 are accounting and finance, digital systems and data, and education.
To support the transition to the new qualifications structure, the DfE have set up a Technical and Vocational Qualifications (TVG) Higher Education (HE) Network, and the CDI is proud to be included alongside Universities UK, Association of Colleges, UCAS and Gatsby.
Under a section on student support, the document includes plans for information, advice and guidance, stating that evidence ‘shows that information, advice and guidance is key for students’ progression and relates positively with education, employment and training (EET) rates, but that it could be strengthened’.
To support this, the DfE commits to delivering targeted messaging on the new qualifications, to ensure clarity and consistency, as well as additional training for those who provide careers advice. They also said they will ‘work with the Career Development Institute, the Careers and Enterprise Company and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation to raise awareness of the reformed landscape among careers professionals, Careers Leaders, educational leaders and teachers’, plus referenced the CPD training for careers advisers that they are investing in.
The plan also states that the statutory guidance will be updated in June this year, while next year’s statutory guidance will include a more ‘substantial update’ to reflect the reformed landscape.
Read the Post-16 Implementation Plan.
- ensuring that students progress to positive outcomes
- qualifications are high quality and adapt to future skills needs
- pathways provide clear choices
The ultimate aim is for ‘every student entering post-16 education will have a clear choice of high-quality pathways’.
The plan includes the introduction of V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates (to be taught from September 2027), further delivery of T Levels and transition from the T Level Foundation Year. The first V Levels expected to be taught from 2027 are accounting and finance, digital systems and data, and education.
To support the transition to the new qualifications structure, the DfE have set up a Technical and Vocational Qualifications (TVG) Higher Education (HE) Network, and the CDI is proud to be included alongside Universities UK, Association of Colleges, UCAS and Gatsby.
Under a section on student support, the document includes plans for information, advice and guidance, stating that evidence ‘shows that information, advice and guidance is key for students’ progression and relates positively with education, employment and training (EET) rates, but that it could be strengthened’.
To support this, the DfE commits to delivering targeted messaging on the new qualifications, to ensure clarity and consistency, as well as additional training for those who provide careers advice. They also said they will ‘work with the Career Development Institute, the Careers and Enterprise Company and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation to raise awareness of the reformed landscape among careers professionals, Careers Leaders, educational leaders and teachers’, plus referenced the CPD training for careers advisers that they are investing in.
The plan also states that the statutory guidance will be updated in June this year, while next year’s statutory guidance will include a more ‘substantial update’ to reflect the reformed landscape.
Read the Post-16 Implementation Plan.
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01 June 2026