Former Prime Minister warns delaying T-levels would hamper UK’s growth and job opportunities for young people

Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister, has called on the new Labour Government to boost the rollout of T-levels to drive a “revolution” in technical education. In a report, Brown warned that delaying or pausing the transition to T-levels, the government’s flagship technical qualifications introduced in 2020, would have severe consequences for the country’s economic prospects and future workforce.

T-levels, which are designed to be equivalent to three A-levels, aim to provide students with industry-specific skills and better prepare them for the job market. Brown argued that pausing the shift from lower-quality qualifications to these higher-quality T-levels would be “calamitous” for the UK’s economic growth. He noted that it would deprive young people of opportunities, leave the workforce inadequately skilled, and delay the much-needed transformation in post-16 education.

The former Labour leader also highlighted concerns over the government’s plan to withdraw funding for some post-16 qualifications that overlap with T-levels. Critics argue that this could leave many students, especially those pursuing BTec courses, without suitable study options. The Protect Student Choice campaign has warned that such changes could impact tens of thousands of sixth-form students.

Brown’s remarks came in the foreword of a report by consultancy WPI Strategy, which also received funding from Lord David Sainsbury, the author of the 2016 review of technical education. The report advocates for removing public funding from qualifications that overlap with T-levels and setting a target of 100,000 T-level enrolments annually by the end of the current Parliament.

In response to these concerns, Bill Watkin, Chief Executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association, expressed scepticism over the ability of T-levels to replace BTecs at scale, cautioning that removing funding for BTecs without a robust alternative in place could be “reckless.”

Lord Sainsbury, who has long championed the reform of technical education, reiterated his belief that the UK’s current qualification system is outdated and inefficient. He urged the government to ensure that T-levels become the central focus of post-16 education, providing a high-quality, value-for-money education that prepares students for future challenges.

The Department for Education has expressed support for T-levels, emphasising their potential to help young people secure quality apprenticeships and jobs. A spokesperson confirmed that the government would be revealing further plans soon, as part of their efforts to reform the education system and provide greater opportunities for students.