Just one in seven of the first students who studied a course designed to prepare them for T Levels chose to progress on to a full T Level, FE Week can reveal.
English and maths requirements, a lack of suitable work placements and more attractive qualification offers have all been cited as factors in the low transition rate.
It comes as the government ploughs ahead with controversial plans to defund alternative level 3 qualifications, such as BTECs, that overlap with T Levels, from 2024.
Ministers have been urged by unions to reverse the “rash” cuts to alternative T Level courses amid the “very concerning” figures.
