Transition, Retention and Success – how can higher education best support BTEC learners?

NEON Summit

There are currently around 200,000 learners completing BTECs at level 3. Despite successive governments efforts to introduce different vocational qualifications (GNVQs and 14-19 diplomas) BTECs have continued to expand with numbers of learners tripling since 2005. One in five higher education applicants now enter with BTEC qualifications while a further 10% combine the BTEC qualification with A-levels. We know that these learners are more likely to come from working/lower middle-class backgrounds and are more ethnically diverse, so they are a key focus for both higher education institutions and widening access practitioners.

This event will consider the future of the BTEC qualification and the continued importance of the qualification as a route into higher education. Delegates will discuss how higher education can work with BTEC learners to support entry to, and success within, higher education and consider the impact of the introduction of T levels.

During the day delegates will:

• Hear from a range of policy makers and practitioners from across the educational sector
• Consider the needs of BTEC learners and discuss the different strategies to support them in their learning journeys
• Learn from examples of current practice with BTEC learners
• Virtually network with other colleagues
• Receive a free electronic copy of the latest NEON publication, “Guiding Principles to Inform the Successful Progression of BTEC Students into Higher Education”

Keynote speakers include:

• Dr Brooke Storer-Church, Head of Skills, Office for Students
• Professor Debra Myhill, Professor of Education, University of Exeter and Project Director of ‘Transforming Transitions”
• Ria Bhatta, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Pearson
• Bill Watkin, Chief Executive, Sixth Form Colleges Association
• Krisha Bainham, Head of Widening Access, University of Derby
• Esther Ogunleye, Student, University of East Anglia
• Bill Jones, Deputy CEO & Principal, Leeds City College
• Clare Gartland, Associate Professor, University of Suffolk

For the programme of the event, please click here.

Places are strictly limited and are offered on a first come first served basis.

Price:
Please note that this is an online event.
Membership organisation rate: £99
Non-member organisation rate: £159

If you are unsure if your organisations is a NEON member, please click here.