Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her department is taking to expand high‑quality alternatives to traditional university routes.

The government is committed to ensuring young people have clear, high-quality alternatives to traditional university routes. Our skills strategy is focused on giving learners routes into skilled employment and higher-level study while meeting employer and economic need.

New technical pathways from age 14 will put technical and academic education on an equal footing, widening choices for young people and supporting progression into post-16 technical education, apprenticeships, further study and skilled careers.

Reformed post-16 technical and vocational qualifications will give young people clearer choices, supporting them to succeed in work and life. At level 3, T Levels prepare students for employment, higher apprenticeships or further technical study, and V levels support progression to further study or work-based training, including apprenticeships. At level 2, Foundation Certificates support progression to level 3 and Occupational Certificates lead to skilled employment.

Apprenticeships remain central to our skills strategy as paid jobs with structured training, enabling people to earn while they learn and progress into skilled careers across the country.