Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with service providers and sectoral organisations on the implications of T-levels for the continued provision of Level 2 apprenticeships.

On 11 October, we published a T level Action Plan. This makes it clear that T levels will be offered at Level 3, will have the prestige of A levels and will form part of a clear and high quality technical option which supports progression to employment and higher levels of study. In line with Lord Sainsbury’s recommendations, T levels and apprenticeships will together form this new technical education offer, and will act as two different routes to skilled employment.

We have been speaking to all types of providers on the implementation of T levels, including the impact on level 2 provision – to gain their views on how we can best support them to successfully deliver the reforms. Later in 2017 we will hold a public consultation to allow anyone to submit their views.