Technical Education

Technical Education - Apprenticeships, T Levels, and Higher Technical Qualifications

 

Lancashire’s Technical Education Vision, the first of its kind in the UK, originally launched in 2017 in response to rapid policy, technological, and economic changes. A Progress Review, published in June 2023, highlights achievements and reinforces Lancashire’s ongoing priorities.

 

 

The 2016 Report of the Independent Panel on Technical Education, chaired by Lord Sainsbury, catalysed a renewed national focus on technical education. This led to the Post-16 Skills Plan and the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022, which introduced high-quality Level 3 qualifications for 16–19-year-olds—T Levels. Further national research identified a “Missing Middle”: a shortage of people qualified at Levels 4 and 5.

Lancashire has a strong tradition in technical education and a well-established Apprenticeship network. However, the region lags behind the North West and national averages in attainment at Level 4 and above (e.g., HNDs, Foundation Degrees), which impacts productivity and average earnings. Skills forecasts show increasing demand for Level 4+ technical and professional skills.

 

 

The Lancashire Technical Education Vision brings together stakeholders, education providers, and employers to build a high-performing system that addresses skills shortages and boosts productivity.

The Vision is:

  • Employer-driven: Provision is shaped by labour market demands and employer input.
  • Lifelong: Starts with careers education in primary schools and supports individuals throughout their working lives.
  • Collaborative: Encourages joint design and delivery of education and training between providers and employers.
  • Coordinated: Offers a joined-up experience for learners and employers through collective planning and management.
  • Future-facing: Anticipates market and technological changes to remain relevant and effective.
  • A key aim is to provide consensus and direction for Lancashire’s technical education ambitions, grounded in a deep understanding of labour market needs and supply patterns.

 

The 2023 Progress Review showcases significant achievements over five years, including:

  • New resources and innovative learning opportunities
  • Collaborative initiatives like the Institute of Technology
  • Delivery of Boot Camps
  • Development of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)

Our partnership with the Gatsby Foundation has supported the rollout of T Levels, which are equivalent in intensity to three A Levels and include a minimum 315-hour industry placement. These qualifications offer clear progression routes to skilled employment or further learning at Level 4 and above.

We have also mapped Level 4 and 5 provision—such as HNDs, Foundation Degrees, Certificates, and Diplomas—against local business needs. This research supported Lancashire colleges’ successful bid for an Institute of Technology.

 

 

If you’re interested in supporting technical education in Lancashire—by taking on an apprentice or offering an industry placement—consider signing up to our Skills Pledge. Our team of knowledgeable professionals can help you understand how technical education can benefit your business.

For further information please contact us.

 

 

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