Important changes to pre-16 vocational qualifications in Wales: what you need to know
September 2027 might feel a long way off, but with awarding bodies publishing new qualification specifications this autumn, the time to start planning is now.
The qualifications your learners study shape their futures. So when significant changes are on the horizon, it's important you have the right information to plan ahead. Here we explain what's changing, what it means for your current and future learners, and what you can do now to prepare.
The short version
From September 2027, new VCSE, Foundation and Skills Suite qualifications will replace most existing vocational and skills qualifications for pre-16 learners in Wales.
This might affect qualifications that you are typically used to delivering in your school, including the various vocational or technical Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2 awards, certificates and diplomas.
Awarding bodies will begin publishing specifications for the new qualifications this autumn, so now is a good time to start thinking about your new vocational and skills offer.
What's being discontinued?
Most existing vocational and skills qualifications will no longer be available for new pre-16 learners from September 2027. This is because they overlap with the new qualifications, which have been created to meet the specific needs of learners in Wales.
What's staying?
There are a limited number of existing qualifications that will continue to be available alongside the National Qualifications, including some additional language GCSEs and some vocationally-related qualifications.
A small number of existing qualifications will also remain available for pre-16 learners being taught in further education (FE) settings.
You can find the current list at the end of this blog.
How to keep track of what's available
The QiW database is updated regularly and is the best place for you to stay up to speed with the new offer. You can search by academic year to see which qualifications are available for pre-16 learners.
By filtering by 2027/2028, you will be able to see which vocational and skills qualifications will be on offer alongside GCSEs when existing qualifications are no longer available. Please be aware that the qualifications that will remain available for learners taught in an FE setting will not appear in your search results, which is why we have included the full list below.
The new VCSE, Foundation and Skills Suite qualifications will be added to QiW as they're approved by our team. Details for some of them can already be viewed in QiW.
Learners with a learning difficulty
Under the Qualifications Wales Act 2015, the usual rules about which qualifications can be delivered in maintained schools don't apply to learners with a learning difficulty.
You're best placed to assess whether this applies to your learners.
What about your current learners?
If a learner has already started an existing qualification before September 2027, they'll be able to finish it (including any resits) up to its certification end date.
You can check end dates for specific qualifications on our QiW database by searching for the qualification name or code.
What should your next steps be?
To help you with your planning, here’s a list of steps we think would be helpful for you to take over the coming months to help you prepare:
- Take a look at the new VCSE, Foundation and Skills Suite qualifications to see which ones you might want to consider from September 2027.
- Find out which awarding bodies intend to deliver these qualifications on pages 36-37 of our guide to the National Qualifications.
- Visit the websites of each awarding body to see what information they might already have available.
- Keep an eye out for communications from each awarding body to know when their specifications and supporting resources are available. We will also let you know via our website and newsletter, and on our social media channels.
- Join us in the autumn term for a series of information sessions outlining the new offer and the support available. We’ll share event invites via our newsletter and social media channels in due course.
Qualifications that can continue to be taught to pre-16 learners in an FE setting:
- City & Guilds Entry Level Award in an Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector (Entry 3)
- City & Guilds Level 1 Award in an Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector
- City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in an Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector
- City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma in an Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector
- City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care
- City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma in Practical Horticulture Skills
- City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Practical Horticulture Skills
- City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills
- City & Guilds Level 1 Extended Certificate in Construction Skills
- City & Guilds Entry Level Extended Certificate in Construction Skills (Entry 3)
- City & Guilds Entry Level Certificate in Construction Skills (Entry 3)
- City & Guilds Level 1 Award in Construction Skills
- City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma in Construction Skills
- City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Agriculture
- City & Guilds Level 1 Award in Land-based Studies
- City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Land-based Studies
- City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma in Land-based Studies
- SEG Awards Level 1 Certificate in Motor Vehicle Studies