Skills Minister Jacqui Smith, speaking at the Universities UK conference on September 9, 2026, outlined the government's vision for higher education. She stated that the government has set a target for two-thirds of young people to participate in higher level learning by the age of 25. This target includes degrees, higher technical qualifications, and apprenticeships.
The Minister highlighted the role of universities in facilitating these pathways, in partnership with further education colleges and employers. She also mentioned that new technical education pathways for 14-year-olds were announced last month, combining academic subjects with technical education linked to local industries. Additionally, new V Levels, announced in a White Paper, will allow 16 to 19-year-olds to combine vocational study with A Levels or other Level 3 courses, providing an additional route to Levels 4 and 5.
Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) courses are scheduled to commence in January, designed to enable individuals to learn, upskill, and retrain throughout their working lives. These flexible study options aim to help learners adapt to changing labour market demands. Currently, 130 providers have been approved for modular provision from the LLE's launch, with a further round of expressions of interest opening in October.
The government also plans to consult on how to enable flexible degree reform, aiming to develop arrangements that support students in considering their options, even during their studies. Any changes would need to support partnerships between higher and further education, meet employer needs, and deliver positive economic returns.