This one day conference will examine the future of post-16 technical and academic qualifications at level 3 and below.

The discussion will take place with the Department for Education considering its response to recently held consultations on proposals to reform post-16 qualifications, with the aim of offering clearer qualification choices and ensuring that every qualification which is on offer has a distinct purpose.

The seminar will be an opportunity to examine the DfE’s expected response - and takes place in the context of the Skills for Jobs white paper, and with the second wave of the T Level rollout due in September 2021.

Areas for discussion will include:
• balancing quality and choice in the qualification system
• delivering for labour market needs
• progression routes and providing clarity to students and employers.

The agenda:
• Reviewing post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below
• Ensuring alignment of the qualification system with needs on the ground
• Achieving a proportionate qualification system - balancing high quality, choice and variety, and delivering for labour market and sector needs
• The potential impact of reform on learner accessibility and the qualification market
• Applied general qualifications - their role in the qualifications landscape, in providing access to HE, and in improving employment prospects
• Priorities for the qualifications system and progression routes - clarity for students, access to HE, smooth transition to employment, and protecting learners with protected characteristics from disadvantage
• The outlook for the qualification system and designing a coherent system.

The event is a full-scale conference taking place online, and will feature:
• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks with a full recording and transcript to refer back to
• information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
• conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
• speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides
• opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
• a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
• delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
• networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact.

Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference.