BTEC Progression The facts Vocational Presentation Lorne McNeill

ACTIVITIES PRE BTEC Studying at school or college the main activity prior to studying for National and First diploma and First Certificate. Working full time was most common prior to studying for National Certificate and National Award learners had a wide spread of studying and working before their BTEC qualification. Q12. Prior to studying for the BTEC you recently completed, which of the following best describes your main activity, i.e. the activity you spent the most time on? Base: Stage 2 all learners (n=367), First Dipl. (n=152) and Nat. Dipl.(n=117), Nat. Cert. (n=50), Nat. Award (n=41), First Cert. (n=39) National Diploma First Diploma National Certificate National Award First Certificate Still at school Studying at college Studying at university Studying at 6 th form college In full time employment In part time employment Unemployed and seeking work Not in paid work for other reasons 41% 23% 13% 9% 3% 0% 32% 35% 3% 14% 3% 4% 3% 12% 26% 4% 14% 32% 4% 8% 32% 24% 5% 15% 22% 2% 0% 48% 30% 0% 13% 8% 0% 3% 0%2% 0% 2%3%0% Other

ACTIVITIES POST BTEC Q14a. Since you completed the BTEC, which of the following best describes your main activity, i.e. the activity you spend the most time on? Base: Stage 2 all learners (n=367), First Dipl. (n=152) and Nat. Dipl.(n=117), Nat. Cert. (n=50), Nat. Award (n=41), First Cert. (n=39) National Diploma First Diploma National Certificate National Award First Certificate Studying at university 50% 10%16%24%3% Studying at college 17% 54%30%39%50% In full time/part time employment 16%9%28%25%5% Unemployed and seeking work 3%5%10%2%0% Studying at sixth form college 3%13%6%2%25% On an apprenticeship 3%2%8%5%8% The majority of learners progress to further studies after completing their BTEC qualification, but a quarter of National Award learners go into employment and nearly 3 in 10 of National Certificate learners go into employment. Only a minority end up unemployed following BTEC studies…

ACTIVITIES POST BTEC (full data) Q14a. Since you completed the BTEC, which of the following best describes your main activity, i.e. the activity you spend the most time on? Base: Stage 2 all learners (n=367), First Dipl. (n=152) and Nat. Dipl.(n=117), Nat. Cert. (n=50), Nat. Award (n=41), First Cert. (n=39) National Diploma First Diploma National Certificate National Award First Certificate Studying at university Studying at college In full time employment In part time employment I’m taking a gap year Unemployed and seeking work Studying at sixth form college On an apprenticeship Not in paid work/education for other reason 50% 17% 9% 7% 5% 3% 10% 54% 2% 7% 3% 5% 13% 16% 30% 24% 4% 0% 10% 6% 24% 39% 20% 5% 0% 2% 3% 50% 5% 0% 25% 3%2% 8% 5% 8% 1%2% 0% 1%0% 1%3% 0% 10% 1%2% 0% Still at school Other Planned to go to university but didn’t get a place

RELEVANCE OF BTEC BTEC qualifications generally perceived to be highly relevant to current activities, including further studies and employment … National Diploma and National Certificate learners slightly more likely to find their BTEC qualification relevant to what they are doing now. Q20. To what extent would you say that the BTEC you recently completed is relevant to what you are doing now? Please answer using a 5 point scale where 1 means ‘not at all relevant’ and 5 means ‘very relevant’ Base: Stage 2 all learners who are currently studying or working (n=337) 70% Consider their BTEC relevant Relevance by qualification (top 2): National Certificate 80% National Diploma 75% First Diploma 68% National Award 67% First Certificate 53%

REASONS FOR CHOOSING BTEC OVER OTHER QUALIFICATIONS Q9c. And why did you choose the BTEC qualification over other qualifications? Base: All Stage 2 earners who considered other qualification (n=153) BTEC being perceived as more relevant to their chosen career path and its practical nature = main reasons BTEC qualifications were chosen over other qualifications….. “I wanted some vocational experience as I wasn't sure what I was going to do after college, e.g. University or work.” “The BTEC qualification was more applicable to what career path I wanted to choose. It is also a worldwide recognised qualification unlike others.” “I had no other official qualifications, so I was going to do a few GCSE courses in the even that I didn't get a place on the national diploma course.” “Because I liked the idea of doing coursework rather than exams, so I am motivated and get on with the work.” “Since I had been away from education for such a long time I thought it would be a good idea to ease myself back into it..”

LEARNING EXPERIENCE (I) Q11a. Thinking in more detail about the BTEC you recently completed, would you say that the learning experience differed from other qualifications you have studied for? In other words, did you think the BTEC was taught differently? Stage 2 all learners (n=367), First Dipl. (n=152) and Nat. Dipl.(n=117), Nat. Cert. (n=50), Nat. Award (n=41), First Cert. (n=39) The general perception is that BTEC learning differs considerably compared to other qualifications studied for …

LEARNING EXPERIENCE (II) Q6b2. How was it different? Base: Stage 2 learners who said BTEC learning was different (n=282) Key differences include the more practical nature or BTEC learning and its coursework based evaluation rather than exams – also evidence to suggest that its more independent approach appeals to learners “The BTEC was much more skills-based rather than theory. A lot of the knowledge didn't have to be gained in a classroom, but rather was gained in work. “ “As a mature student I was treated as an adult. “ “More relaxed. Less like school more freedom and being able to express your own ideas more freely. “ “I thought the learning experience was more suited to my needs as I cannot deal with exams and find it difficult to revise but BTEC gave you the chance to learn and complete assessments in good time…..“

SATISFACTION WITH BTEC Very high satisfaction with BTEC courses overall, with nearly 9 in 10 satisfied. Amongst those who consider the BTEC qualification relevant to their current activity, satisfaction is significantly higher (94%) Q21. How satisfied were you with the BTEC course you recently completed? Please answer using a 5 point scale where 1 means ‘not at all relevant’ and 5 means ‘very relevant’ Base: Stage 2 all learners (n=367) 87% Are satisfied with their BTEC course

SOCIAL MOBILITY (I) First in family to go to university…. Q4. Which of these best describe the type of work your parents do? Q5d And are you the first member of your family to complete [INSERT QUALIFICATIN COMPLETED]? Q14b Are you the first member of your family to study at university? Base: Stage 2 all learners (n=367), all who completed First or a National (n=330), all who are studying at university (n=98) Going by the SEG of parents, BTEC qualifications are completed by learners from a broad social spectrum. A first indication of the impact BTEC qualifications can have on social mobility is provided by the 54% of those who are currently studying at university as the first in their family … 20% - AB 23% - C1 25% - C2 24% - DE SEG of parents