Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support the introduction of more (a) vocational and (b) functional education pathways for students in (i) Somerset and (ii) England.

The department continues to reform qualifications so they have clearer routes to higher education or skilled employment and are, where applicable, aligned to occupational standards designed by employers. 140 reformed qualifications at levels 2 and 3 have been approved for next academic year.

There are a wide range of technical and functional pathways in all areas of the country, including Somerset. These include:

• T levels, a high-quality technical education option for young people, including a valuable workplace industry placement which prepares them work.

• Higher Technical Qualifications, occupation-focused level 4-5 qualifications, approved and quality marked as providing the skills demanded in the workplace by employers.

• Apprenticeships, including widening the offer into a growth and skills offer which will include new foundation apprenticeships, giving more young people a foot in the door at the start of their working life.

• Skills Bootcamps, giving learners the chance to build sector-specific skills with a job interview on completion.

• Free Courses for Jobs, giving learners the chance to access high value level 3 qualifications.

• Functional Qualifications in English, mathematics and digital, available to learners for whom a GSCE is not the right qualification path, designed with employers in mind and taught depending on the needs of the learner.