What is Technical Education

Technical education qualifications are primarily designed to support progression to skilled employment or further technical education and training. Many of the materials in this resource hub focus on apprenticeships, T Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs). These are underpinned by employer-developed occupational standards.

The Department for Education (DfE) has been implementing reforms to post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below for the past few years. The core aim of these reforms is to simplify the education landscape, whilst ensuring that there are high quality options on offer for all young people. 

Read more on the background to qualifications reform in England

Technical Education Latest News

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CDI launches video on Post-16 Pathways
CDI launches video on Post-16 Pathways

The CDI has launched a new resource as part of our Technic...

Post-16 pathways consultation response: V Levels, changes to T Levels and new level 2 pathways
Post-16 pathways consultation response: V Levels, changes to T Le...

On 10 March 2026, the Department for Education (DfE) published their response to the consultation into Post-16 level 3 and below pathways.

About the resource hub

Following initial research into career development professionals' knowledge and awareness of technical education pathways, we created the Technical Education Programme to support Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in this area. The resource hub is part of this programme, providing resources and the very latest information on technical education and qualifications reform. Supported by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, the programme is specifically aimed at career development professionals working in schools, colleges and other settings in England to assist them in their guidance work with young people.

Please note that within this resource hub, we signpost to external websites and resources on technical education, some of which are aimed primarily at young people, teachers, parents and carers.

We plan to create and add new resources to this hub over time. If you have ideas for new resources that you would like to see included, or have any other feedback on the hub, please get in touch with Kim Newman, the Technical Education Programme Manager at the CDI: [email protected]

Key themes

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships

The latest information on Apprenticeships: where to find them, how to support students and recent changes at policy level.

T Levels

T Levels

The latest information on T Levels: who are they aimed at, what do they involve, who delivers them plus updates on recent changes in policy.

Higher Technical Qualifications HTQs)

Higher Technical Qualifications

What are Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), who are they aimed at and where are they delivered?

Qualifications reform

Technical education landscape and qualifications reform

Updates on the latest information on technical education qualifications reform at level 3 and below.

Webinars

Webinars and podcasts

View and book upcoming webinars here and access recordings of previous sessions on technical education pathways.

Technical Education Resource List

Technical education webinars

Update on Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) - Q&A from webinar on 26 February 2026

Q&A from our webinar on HTQs, delivered by the Department for Education (DfE) and the West of England Institute of Technology (IOT).


Technical education landscape and qualifications reform

DfE response to the consultation into Post-16 level 3 and below pathways

The report published on 10 March 2026 outlined details of new V Levels, changes to T Levels (including new subjects to be rolled out) and new level 2 pathways, including the Occupational Pathway and the Further Study Pathway.


Technical education landscape and qualifications reform

Post-16 consultation into level 3 and below pathways

The consultation asked for views on the design of new V Levels and two pathways at level 2 (the Occupational pathway and the Further Study pathway).


Technical education landscape and qualifications reform

Curriculum and Assessment Review

Published in November 2025, the Curriculum and Assessment Review called for an end to the divide between academic and technical pathways and the need for high-quality technical options for young people.


Technical education webinars

Update on Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) - webinar on 26 February 2026

Find out the latest information on HTQs, with updates from the expert team at the Department for Education (DfE) and an Institute of Technology who oversee the delivery of HTQs.


Technical education webinars

Update on T Levels - Q&A from webinar on 18 February 2026

Q&A from our webinar on T Levels, delivered by the Department for Education (DfE) and Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group.


Technical education webinars

Update on T Levels - webinar on 18 February 2026

This session covers the latest information on T Levels from the Department for Education (DfE) and a provider perspective from Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group, focusing on student progression.


Technical education webinars

Update on apprenticeships - Q&A from webinar on 11 February 2026

Q&A from our webinar on apprenticeships, supported by the Department for Education (DfE) and Costa Coffee.


Technical education webinars

Update on apprenticeships - webinar on 11 February 2026

Find out the latest information on apprenticeships from the expert team at the Department for Education (DfE) and hear about apprenticeship opportunities and training programmes available at Costa Coffee.


Technical education webinars

Update on qualifications reform - Q&A from webinar on 3 February 2026

Q&A from our webinar on qualifications reform, setting out the latest updates on proposals for V Levels and the proposed level 2 Occupational Pathway and the level 2 Further Study pathway.


Technical education webinars

Update on qualifications reform - webinar on 3 February 2026

An update on Post-16 qualifications reform, delivered in partnership with the Department for Education (DfE), focusing on government proposals to introduce V Levels, and new level 2 pathways.


Technical education webinars

Update on qualifications reform - Q&A from webinar on 27 November 2025

Q&A from our webinar on qualifications reform, the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper and the introduction of V Levels, with expert input from the Department for Education (DfE).


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