Almost two-thirds of parents have not heard of T levels, according to new research.

A survey of more than 1,000 parents of 11- to 18-year-olds, commissioned by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), found that with only two years to go until the first T levels are launched, 62 per cent have not heard of the new qualification. Only 7 per cent of parents feel that they know a lot about them.

Among lower-income households and socioeconomic groups, awareness is even worse, with four-in-five parents saying they have never heard of T levels.

The qualifications are to be rolled out from 2020, and have been developed to offer a technical alternative to A levels. They will also include a work-placement element of at least 45 days.

Skills for the workplace

Once T levels had been explained to the surveyed parents, many of them said they liked the idea of the new programmes. Half thought T levels had the potential to develop the same status as A levels, and 55 per cent thought they could become better than existing technical or vocational programmes. Over two-thirds thought they could provide young people with the skills needed for the workplace.

Rob Wall, head of policy at the CMI, said: “Creating a gold-standard technical qualification to rival A levels has been the long-sought-for holy grail of ministers and policymakers - and proved just as difficult to find. It would be easy to dismiss T levels as the next failed experiment in post-16 technical education. However, our survey shows that T levels could be popular.

“The challenge lies in informing and educating parents about their potential, as well as educating employers and addressing employer concerns about the delivery of the proposed work-placement element.

“Given the success of technical and vocational routes in widening participation and promoting social mobility, it is a real concern to see the lack of awareness among parents from poorer backgrounds. This should be a key concern for ministers and policymakers, too.”