V-levels

Lord Addington Excerpts

Monday 23rd February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

As a former head of department, I am not sure that I completely agree with the noble Lord that all the important decisions are made by heads of department, but it is certainly the case that quite a lot of them are. That is why it is important for us to provide clarity for schools about the responsibility to provide work experience for all students and that we make industrial placements—for example, for T-levels—more deliverable on a larger scale than they are at the moment. It is why we need to continue the work in careers education to ensure that there is greater awareness and understanding of the range of options available to young people. Having clarity about the three routes for further study alongside apprenticeships for those aged 16 to 19 will help make that route for young people clearer.

[Lord Addington (LD)]

My Lords, the main problem with communicating exactly what these exams are and how they fit into the employability of a person can be addressed only by better careers training. Can the Minister point out now how this fits into careers advice given to children, probably as young as primary school age, and their parents, so that they will be able to start to plan?

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

The noble Lord is right that good careers advice is important. Some 96% of secondary schools and colleges are now in careers hubs, connecting them to employers and apprenticeship providers in their areas. Over 3,500 business volunteers work with schools and colleges to inspire young people about career opportunities, including the vocational and academic pathways into their sectors.