The government has announced it will scrap onsite construction T Level courses due to lack of overall demand, as part of a review of post-16 qualifications.
T Levels are technical qualifications equivalent to three A levels for 16-19-year-olds.
The government claimed the move is aimed at “cutting red tape to allow learners to combine qualifications in the way that suits them.”
The scrapped construction qualification follows a review into vocational qualifications that were due to be defunded by the previous government.
Education minister Janet Daby said around 70 per cent of vocational qualifications that the previous government had slated to defund would be kept as part of the review.
In her statement Daby confirmed that more than 200 qualifications that had either no or below 100 enrolments per year over the last three years will have their funding withdrawn from August 2025.
Onsite Construction T Level falls into that category as Daby claimed is “due to a lack of overall demand for large qualifications at level 3.”
Daby said that learners already enrolled will be able to complete their courses, however.
Minister for Skills, Jacqui Smith, said: “This government is committed to the long-term delivery of T Levels as the best quality technical education option for young people.
“Qualifications are not one-size-fits-all, and we recognise we must take a pragmatic approach.
“Our ambitious programme must meet the needs of employers and our public services if we are to see our economy flourish.”
This comes weeks after the government announced an £140 million apprenticeship investment from industry to create Homebuilding Skills Hubs to boost 5000 new construction apprenticeship places.
The construction industry cautiously welcomed the hubs with chief economist at BCIS Dr David Crosthwaite arguing the apprenticeship programme falls short.
Dr Crosthwaite said: “On the face of it, the increase in available construction apprenticeships seems like a positive move, although it will take some time to make a material difference on-site.
“Halving the time taken to become “fully qualified” may reduce the dropout rate, which is particularly high in construction apprenticeships.”
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