UNIONS have insisted the government must increase funding for further education and teachers’ pay if it wants its new V-Level qualification to succeed.

The qualification is to be rolled out in a major overhaul of the education system for pupils aged 16 to 19, the Department for Education (DfE) announced yesterday.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said vocational education has been seen as an “afterthought for too long” as she announced the new qualification.

Ministers are to set out plans for a third route alongside A-levels and T-levels in a new white paper on post-16 education and skills, which will be published today.

The DfE said the new qualification will replace the 900 vocational qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds, which are currently available alongside A and T-Levels.

It said the move would also offer pupils more flexibility and let them explore key sectors – which could include include engineering, agriculture or digital – before deciding where to specialise.

Unions have broadly welcomed the move but insisted the government must back it with funding to improve teachers’ pay to address a recruitment and retention crisis.

National Education Union general secretary Daniel Kebede called it “a significant step forward” for vocational education.

But he added: “To truly revitalise post-16 education, the government must also address the chronic issue of low pay among post-16 teachers and lecturers.

“Years of underinvestment have led to widespread recruitment and retention difficulties, leaving too many vacancies unfilled.

“Ensuring that staff are properly valued and fairly rewarded is essential if these reforms are to succeed.”

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), suggested V-Levels will help address the “very large number of young people” who are currently not in education, employment or training (Neets).

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “For too long, post-16 education was neglected under the Conservatives.

“It is welcome that Labour is starting to turn the page on this failed era by putting skills and adult learning at the heart of the economic growth agenda.

“But for these reforms to achieve their full potential, funding for Further Education will be vital — especially in the workforce.

“Years of Tory underinvestment has led to staff retention and recruitment problems, which need urgent attention in the upcoming Budget.”