By Joel Cable – Pearson UK
In April 2023, the DfE published key updates on the reform of post-16 level 3 vocational qualifications in England. The changes will impact Level 3 vocational qualifications, including BTECs, taken by 16–19-year-olds and some 19+ year-olds.
The reform aims to simplify the choice between academic qualifications like A Levels and technical qualifications like the new T Levels, with vocational qualifications like BTECs offered where there are gaps in these routes. T Levels are based on existing apprenticeship standards, but as there are currently no apprenticeship standards for games design and development, the T Levels in Media, Broadcast, and Production won’t include a games route. Additionally, current vocational Media and Communications qualifications including games won’t be funded as full-time programmes as they are seen to overlap with T Levels. Instead, new vocational games programmes can be taken as a single A Level size qualification alongside 2 A Levels. Unfortunately, T Levels in Media or a combination of A Levels and smaller BTECs won’t allow learners to commit to full-time study of games development at Level 3, delaying skill acquisition until university and posing a potential threat to the UK games industry.
Pearson, the provider of BTECs, is committed to providing high-quality learning opportunities in the games industry. They are working within the reform requirements to develop new BTEC qualifications and will consult with employers, subject experts, and educators in the games sector for input and support.
If you would like to support these new developments and help to shape the future provision for new talent in games, please contact the Senior Product Manager Joel Cable at joel.cable@pearson.com.
Joel Cable is Senior Product Manager – Art, Design & Digital and Entertainment Media at Pearson UK