In July 2020 the government published plans for the future of higher technical education for level 4 and 5 in England. These plans aim to increase the number of level 4 and 5 learners, and the supply of much-needed skills in order to raise productivity and prosperity. There is a growing demand from both employers and learners for skills at levels 4 and 5. Compared to other countries and other levels of education the number of people that take these levels of qualification are low.
They intended to achieve this with 3 Key reforms:
• Ensuring that the qualifications meet employer needs by being approved nationally, backed by a new quality mark and are considered to be prestigious
• Ensuring that those delivering the qualifications are high quality.
• Making these level 4 and 5 courses attractive to both learner and employer. This would be done by raising the profile and peoples understanding of the courses through the use of the quality mark, a campaign and by making improvements to information, advice and guidance.
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are based on the same set of standards as apprenticeship and T levels. There are many different types of HTQ's such as:
• higher national diplomas
• higher national certificates
• foundation degrees
• higher education diploma.
Not all diplomas, certificates and foundation degrees are approved HTQ’s. Those that have been approved show the HTQ logo or banner.
Depending on the course you take an HTQ can take 1 to 2 years to complete and have been created in collaboration with employers so that graduates are' work ready'.
Who are HTQs for?
HTQs are for a wide range of people across all age ranges. They may be right for you if you are looking for a more practical, employer-led study programme They are suitable for:
• students aged 18 or over who want to study a subject that will prepare them for a specifically stalled job in a particular sector such as business, IT and legal, accounts and finance
• adults who are looking to retrain, upskill in their current role or change to a new career.
There are no restrictions, students can use these qualifications as a launchpad for further study or training providing a flexible pathway for continuous professional development. Students who already have a qualification such as a degree or qualifies completed as an apprenticeship will still be accepted on these courses. They are also seen as an alternative to an apprenticeship or degree and can give you a head start in your chosen career by leading you to high-skilled, well-paid jobs in a wide range of sectors.
Where can I study an HTQ?
These are mainly classroom based and can be taught in further education colleges, universities, Institutes of Technology or with an independent training provider. As part of the course you don't usually have an industry placement but instead you could learn practical skills in a workshop or simulated workplace.
What subjects can I take an HTQ in?
They are currently being taught in the following subjects:
• a range of digital occupations
• construction, design and build
• business and administration
• education and early years
• engineering and manufacturing
• legal, finance and accounting
From September 2025 these additional sectors will be available:
• agriculture, environmental and animal care
• catering and hospitality
• creative and design
• protective services
• sales, marketing and procurement
What Makes HTQ's different from an apprenticeship or degree?
• though HTQs and apprenticeships are based on the same employer standards HTQs will suit a range of different learning styles
• Apprenticeships are designed for learners who already know which occupation they want to follow and prefer to be trained 'on the job’. H TQ's are mainly classroom based and offer a much more flexible learning approach.
• HTQ qualifications are level 415 whereas a degree is a level 6, making an HT Q shorter in length and not as expensive as a degree
