Travel and tourism academics have backed a report that warns against “rushing ahead” with reforms to post-16 qualifications.
The Parliamentary education committee’s caution comes as industry figures lobby against plans to defund travel and tourism Level 3 qualifications in England.
A petition urging the government to recognise the importance of tourism, hospitality and events (THE) education has surpassed 1,400 signatures.
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The Department for Education (DfE) intends to withdraw funding from Applied General Qualifications, such as BTecs and Level 3 travel and tourism courses, as part of its plans to streamline post-16 qualifications and place increased focus on A-levels and technical T-levels.
The committee urged the DfE to postpone the withdrawal of funding until there is “robust” evidence that T-levels are “demonstrably more effective” at helping students and meeting industry needs.
Dr Peter Robinson, head of the centre for tourism and hospitality management at Leeds Beckett University, said: “It is good to see the concerns we have raised…are reflected across other sectors. The report is correct in its observations that the policy will lead to fewer skilled workers, exacerbate current skills shortages and fail young people who are seeking courses that are relevant to their career aspirations.
The uncertainty that this issue is generating in education and industry is unnecessary and unacceptable
“The sectors most impacted by these changes are those that also make some of the largest contributions to the UK economy.”
Lisa Rowbotham, Level 3 tourism course leader at Runshaw College and a committee member of the Association for Tourism in Higher Education, said: “The T-levels are not tried and tested and are likely to put young people from low-income backgrounds at a disadvantage.
“They also fail to take into consideration colleges from rural areas which do not have access to employers as readily as city colleges.
“College principals have been lobbying at a national level on this.”
John Garside, lecturer in travel & tourism and aviation at Birmingham Metropolitan College, added: “The elimination of the courses and the uncertainty that this issue is generating in education and industry is unnecessary and unacceptable.”
Claire Steiner, co-founder of the Future You Foundation, said: “Vocational and practical qualifications that are less academic in their approach suit many young people and introduce them to career opportunities that they might not have had if following a strictly academic route.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Our post-16 qualifications system provides a ladder of opportunity for young people from all backgrounds, so every qualification leads to a rewarding career, either through higher education or skilled work.
“We welcome the committee’s recognition of the importance of our reforms. We will consider the recommendations and respond in due course.”
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