AAT applauds the government’s decision on 16-19 qualifications funding

AAT, which awards a third of all UK vocational accounting qualifications, has ‘applauded’ the government’s decision announced today to continue funding Level 3 qualifications, that are key to the government’s growth mission. 

AAT is the UK’s leading qualifications and professional body for technical accountants and bookkeepers, with approximately 67,000 students studying AAT qualifications and over 51,000 members globally.  

Sarah Beale, CEO at AAT, comments: “We applaud the government for taking the decision to maintain funding for school leaver (16-19) qualifications, that have a proven employer need and strong learner outcomes - which is exactly what our AAT qualifications deliver. 

“Not everyone learns in the same way or has the same educational background; qualifications and training need to reflect that. Young learners should have access to the same opportunities as adult learners and be given choice, access to a breadth of qualifications that set them up for success and the opportunity to thrive.  

“It’s not just learners that benefit; businesses are repeatedly calling for skills that better meet their needs. Too many young people leave education without the skills relevant to the workplace and real world. This restricts both their employment options and career progress, as well as their ability to maximise their contribution to our economy. It’s key to recognise the value that technical and vocational education brings, and how it opens doors in the same way Higher Education does, just via a different route.” 

Today’s news comes after the government announced a short pause and review of the planned qualification reforms at Level 3 in July 2024. 

At the time, Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education, stressed the importance that qualifications must ‘deliver on our two central missions for this government of enhancing and spreading opportunity for everyone and growing our economy.’  Phillipson went on to say, ‘young people and adults should have a choice of a simpler suite of high-quality qualifications that provide them with the skills they need, and which deliver on our missions.’ 

Whilst the news today is welcomed by AAT, Sarah Beale warns of the importance of the government and other bodies involved in delivering changes to qualifications working closely to ensure any future reforms are able to be implemented properly.  

Sarah continues: “I think we can all agree that delivering the best possible learning pathways for young people is the priority. However, this is only possible if the Department of Education, regulators, and other bodies, such as Skills England, collaborate and share joined-up thinking. Any changes to reforms need to place the learner at the heart and deliver meaningful skills and knowledge that are required in today’s world of work. There also needs to be realistic timelines set against reforms, so the awarding organisations have time to redevelop quality qualifications, in a way that also makes economic sense to those organisations.”  

AAT offers a range of post-16 qualifications in accounting, bookkeeping, and business skills. These can be studied full-time or part-time, in a classroom, online and through a blended approach. Delivering the qualifications through hundreds of approved training providers around the world, AAT has approximately 67,000 students studying qualifications and over 51,000 members globally.