BTEC Results Day 2021- more than 230,000 Level 3 BTEC students receive their grades on #BTECResultsDay
Today more than 230,000 Level 3 BTEC students receive their grades on #BTECResultsDay, ready to take their next step to becoming a vital part of the UK workforce
Today (10th August 2021), more than 230,000 students receive results for their Level 3 BTEC qualifications, moving on to the next step in their education or career path. More than 6 million people have completed a BTEC in the last ten years alone, and BTEC alumni have gone on to form a vital part of the UK and global workforce.
BTECs are high quality, future-focussed qualifications that provide learners with the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to progress. Level 3 BTECs (equivalent to A Levels) are globally recognised and continue to be the most popular vocational qualification to support progress to university – 50% of Level 3 BTEC graduates will continue into Higher Education with the rest going into employment, an apprenticeship or further study.
Many of these students are taking their next steps into UK sectors that are currently suffering from a huge, and growing, skills gap. Included in the class of 2021 are future healthcare professionals, engineers and construction workers who are so vital to the UK’s economy. This year:
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30,300 students will have completed a Level 3 BTEC in Applied Science
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33,700 in Health and Social Care
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23,500 in IT & Computing
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16,500 in Engineering
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4,200 in Construction
There is also a growing demand for skills in emerging industries, such as esports, which is expected to generate revenues of more than $1.5bn globally by 2023. Pearson recently launched an Esports BTEC to support this new industry with qualified students who can enter the workplace with all the skills, knowledge and practical application needed to hit the ground running.
Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President for BTEC and Apprenticeships, said:
“I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to every teacher, tutor, lecturer, school and college leader and parent for the incredible effort they have made to support students achieving the grades they have worked so hard for this year. These students have come through another extraordinary
Sector Reaction to the 2021 BTEC Results day:
Toby Perkins MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Further Education, commenting on today’s BTEC results, said:
“Labour congratulates the 230,000 students who have achieved their Level 3 BTEC qualification today.
“They should be proud of their achievements through the most challenging of circumstances and against the backdrop of a Conservative Government looking to devalue their qualifications.
“Despite the high value placed on BTECs by employers and universities, the Government plans to scrap most of these qualifications putting young people’s life chances at risk.
“The Government’s alternative T-Level qualifications are currently unproven and a hasty charge to abolish Level 3 BTECs would be hugely irresponsible.”
CBI RESPONDS TO BTEC RESULTS
Alissa Dhaliwal, CBI Head of Skills, said:
“Congratulations to those getting their BTEC results, the culmination of many years of hard work.
“Whether they decide to enter employment or pursue further study, the qualifications students have gained will help them on their chosen path. But grades only tell part of the story. Employers value a wide range of characteristics like strong communication and teamwork.
“As school leavers start the next chapter of their lives, firms will provide support through jobs and training. Meanwhile, universities will do whatever they can to help students progressing onto higher education by showing as much flexibility as possible on admissions decisions.
“Young people should be proud of the determination and resilience they have shown over the last two years. These are the exact qualities firms look for when hiring.”
Responding to today’s A level and BTEC results, University and College Union (UCU) general secretary Jo Grady said:
‘Today’s results are a reflection of hard work and dedication of both students and staff after an incredibly difficult year.
On the UK government’s plans to scrap BTECs, Jo said:
‘Thousands of students who receive their level 3 BTEC qualifications will now be able to enter higher education. Many will be the first in their families to do so. BTECs are a crucial entry route into university for those from working class backgrounds, yet the government wants to scrap them. The Department for Education needs to urgently change course if it truly cares about supporting students to reach their full potential. Cutting BTEC funding would hamper plans to level up communities and widen participation.
On the university admissions system, Jo said:
‘After two extraordinary years, it’s now time for the government to focus on ensuring the fairest possible system for the future of university admissions. If we want to begin removing the disadvantages currently baked into the system, students should apply to university after they receive their grades. Now is the time for bold reform which supports applicants to make better informed choices. Reforms also need to be underpinned by properly funded, structured advice and guidance to make the system fairer for all students.’
Responses