After a hard-fought campaign to protect applied general qualifications (AGQ), BTECs are here to stay, with only a few Level 3 qualifications being defunded for the time being. However, there are challenges ahead as courses will have to go through a reapproval process, plus a second round of qualifications to be 'retired' is due to be published next year.
Background
For years, learners in England have been able to choose between three different types of Level 3 qualifications: academic qualifications (usually 'A' Levels), technical qualifications that lead to specific occupations, and applied general qualifications (AGQ) such as BTECs, which combine practical and academic skills.
