23 New Pearson BTEC Higher National qualifications receive HTQ status including 22 Engineering qualifications

The new approval system, based on employer-led occupational standards, was created after the Department for Education’s response to Reforming Higher Technical Education – July 2020 emphasised the need for prestigious qualifications that meet employer needs (at levels 4 and 5).  The suite of engineering qualifications comprises of 22 titles, including 9 titles available at both HNC and HND levels, and 4 at HNC level only. These qualifications are aligned to 5 key occupational standards and the full list includes: 

Offering a combination of core and specialist units, these qualifications allow learners to develop knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary to work within one of the most dynamic and growing areas of the economy. Responding to an environment in which the engineering and manufacturing industry, around the world, is in greater and greater need for technically skilled and professionally aware individuals to help drive the industry forward, these qualifications represent a valuable opportunity for learners, centres, and potential employers. 

Dr Sahithi Siva, Subject Lead for Engineering Higher Education at Pearson, said: 

“We are delighted that Pearson has this opportunity to contribute to the outcomes of higher education reforms in England, leading on developing a large suite of HTQs to serve the ever-growing needs of the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Although the HTQs and occupational standards are local to England, their reach is global in scope and impact, so the resulting curriculum level enhancements should benefit both the local and global HN learner, academic and employer communities. We are hopeful that these flagship technical qualifications  will widen learner participation and support apprenticeship delivery in England. Personally, I am very much looking forward to supporting our engineering HTQ graduates throughout their learning journey.”  

These qualifications have been developed in collaboration with a wide range of industry experts, universities, professional, statutory and regulatory bodies, colleges and students to ensure that vocational structures and curriculum content meet the needs of industry, as well as what learners would expect to achieve throughout the programme of study. 

Mohammed Mokammel Hoq, Assistant Director of Engineering and Motor Vehicle with the Cheshire College South and West, said: 

"It has been a privilege to be involved with the Pearson Higher National undergraduate level qualifications for over a decade, specifically the curriculum aspects of Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) in engineering. One of the remarkable aspects of Pearson's HTQs is their commitment to aligning with employer-led occupational standards. In the context of engineering, this entails working diligently behind the scenes to create a massive portfolio of Engineering HTQs that meet the requirements and expectations of employers in the sector. By developing HTQs that adhere to these standards, Pearson greatly enhances the options available to learners and empowers them to make informed decisions about their career paths and further educational opportunities.”  

We have collaborated with the following employers on these qualifications in varying capacities: Cornwall Space and Aerospace Technology Training, Airbus Defence and Space, Avanti Communications, Aviation Automation & Control, BAE Systems, Britten-Norman, Didactic Services: Festo Partner, Delta Airlines, Flann Microwave, Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd, Leyland-Trucks, Proptech Aero Ltd, Protec, RAF Air Cadets, Schneider Electric, SharkNinja, Spaceport Cornwall, and UK Space Agency.  

We have also liaised with Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs) including: GTA England, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, Institution of Engineering and Technology, and Institution of Mechanical Engineers. 

David Abrahams, Key Client Manager at Schneider Electric, said: 

“The concept of Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) quality marked by the UK Government body is an exciting initiative. Pearson Higher National qualifications are widely known in the sector and are well recognised by employers as the principal vocational qualifications. I am pleased to be associated with the Pearson Engineering HTQs and it has been a great learning journey to witness how these HTQs evolved as a means to achieving occupational standards in the Engineering and Manufacturing sector in England.   I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Pearson for leading on developing a large portfolio of Engineering Higher Technical Qualifications and as an industry advisor, I will continue to offer my assistance in shaping technical education to fulfil aspirations of learners and to address skills gaps in the sector.”  

These new (2023) Higher Technical Qualifications are available as additional qualifications for centres in England only. We will inform all England-based centres once the specifications are available on the Pearson qualifications website. Centres in England will therefore have access to a large portfolio of Engineering qualifications including the current titles to determine their educational offer.

If you would like to speak to us about delivering any of these qualifications from September 2024, please leave us your details and we will get back to you.

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