24 October 2025
What does the Post-16 White Paper mean for Technical Education?
On the 20 October 2025, the Department for Education published their Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, which outlines the government’s plans to reform the education and skills system in England and better meet the needs of the economy.
A dedicated section on ‘Clear pathways into high-quality jobs’ (p.34) highlights the government’s commitment to T Levels and introduces new V Levels, two distinct Level 2 pathways for post-16 learners, bridging qualifications for GCSE resits and new Technical Excellence Colleges.
Recent qualification reforms have focused on the fact that for students looking at their next steps after GCSES, there are “too many qualifications and a lack of clear pathways can make this a challenging period for young people as they grapple with the range of options available to them.” (p.34). The Curriculum and Assessment Interim Review emphasised that a different approach is needed at Level 3, to ensure that all learners, but particularly those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds or with SEND, can thrive.
The report goes on to say that “ most learners (63%) do not study exclusively on an academic pathway after their GCSEs, choosing instead from a range of technical, vocational, academic, or applied academic programmes.” (p.35). T Levels have demonstrated their value and will remain the main technical option at level 3 ‘for those young people who are confident about working in a certain occupational area, where it is right to take a single, large qualification.’ (p.35). However, there is a recognition of the need for a ‘third pathway’ for young people who cannot, or do not wish to study either a T Level or A levels. The range of vocational technical qualifications at level 3 will be replaced with ‘V Levels,’ which will sit alongside A levels and T Levels, and will become the ‘only pathway of vocational qualifications at Level 3 for 16 to 19-year-olds’. (p.36). It is expected that V Levels will be roughly equivalent in size to A levels, allowing for a ‘mix and match’ approach between the two study programmes.
Two distinct new pathways at level 2 for post-16 learners will be developed. Each pathway will be a 16-19 study programme and will have a relevant qualification, and English and Maths where needed, at its heart. The occupational pathway will include employability skills and high-quality enrichment activity, to prepare students to progress directly into level 2 occupations. The study pathway will develop independent study skills and exposure to level 3 teaching and assignments to enable progression to level 3 study. A new ‘stepping stone’ qualification will be introduced to support students who don’t achieve a grade 4 in English and/or Maths, offering more accessible content and assessment styles in preparation for resits. (p.37).
New Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) will be introduced, designed to provide excellent training linked to employment. These will be further education colleges that have demonstrated excellent provision in one of the government’s growth-driving priority sectors. The selection proves for TECs will start by the end of 2025, with deliver planned to begin from April 2026. 10 TECs in construction have already been announced, with additional sectors to be added. TECs will draw on the experience and expertise of Institutes of Technology (IOTs), which have shown the benefits of collaborative working between employers, further education providers and universities. (p.40).
The Post-16 White Paper confirms the government’s commitment to raising participation in technical pathways. Further details will be confirmed in the Curriculum and Assessment Review, which will be published within the next few weeks.
A consultation has been launched on the government plans to introduce V Levels and new pathways at level 2. Share your views here.
A dedicated section on ‘Clear pathways into high-quality jobs’ (p.34) highlights the government’s commitment to T Levels and introduces new V Levels, two distinct Level 2 pathways for post-16 learners, bridging qualifications for GCSE resits and new Technical Excellence Colleges.
Recent qualification reforms have focused on the fact that for students looking at their next steps after GCSES, there are “too many qualifications and a lack of clear pathways can make this a challenging period for young people as they grapple with the range of options available to them.” (p.34). The Curriculum and Assessment Interim Review emphasised that a different approach is needed at Level 3, to ensure that all learners, but particularly those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds or with SEND, can thrive.
The report goes on to say that “ most learners (63%) do not study exclusively on an academic pathway after their GCSEs, choosing instead from a range of technical, vocational, academic, or applied academic programmes.” (p.35). T Levels have demonstrated their value and will remain the main technical option at level 3 ‘for those young people who are confident about working in a certain occupational area, where it is right to take a single, large qualification.’ (p.35). However, there is a recognition of the need for a ‘third pathway’ for young people who cannot, or do not wish to study either a T Level or A levels. The range of vocational technical qualifications at level 3 will be replaced with ‘V Levels,’ which will sit alongside A levels and T Levels, and will become the ‘only pathway of vocational qualifications at Level 3 for 16 to 19-year-olds’. (p.36). It is expected that V Levels will be roughly equivalent in size to A levels, allowing for a ‘mix and match’ approach between the two study programmes.
Two distinct new pathways at level 2 for post-16 learners will be developed. Each pathway will be a 16-19 study programme and will have a relevant qualification, and English and Maths where needed, at its heart. The occupational pathway will include employability skills and high-quality enrichment activity, to prepare students to progress directly into level 2 occupations. The study pathway will develop independent study skills and exposure to level 3 teaching and assignments to enable progression to level 3 study. A new ‘stepping stone’ qualification will be introduced to support students who don’t achieve a grade 4 in English and/or Maths, offering more accessible content and assessment styles in preparation for resits. (p.37).
New Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) will be introduced, designed to provide excellent training linked to employment. These will be further education colleges that have demonstrated excellent provision in one of the government’s growth-driving priority sectors. The selection proves for TECs will start by the end of 2025, with deliver planned to begin from April 2026. 10 TECs in construction have already been announced, with additional sectors to be added. TECs will draw on the experience and expertise of Institutes of Technology (IOTs), which have shown the benefits of collaborative working between employers, further education providers and universities. (p.40).
The Post-16 White Paper confirms the government’s commitment to raising participation in technical pathways. Further details will be confirmed in the Curriculum and Assessment Review, which will be published within the next few weeks.
A consultation has been launched on the government plans to introduce V Levels and new pathways at level 2. Share your views here.
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