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<p>The department wants all students to have access to high-quality vocational and
technical learning wherever they are based. That is why the department is reforming
technical education to ensure that all post-16 students have access to high-quality
technical options that support progression and meet employer needs.</p><p>This includes
the introduction of T Levels which are substantial, rigorous, and focused on high
quality learning and include a substantial industry placement element of around 9
weeks. They will provide the knowledge and experience needed for skilled employment,
further study (including higher education) or a higher apprenticeship.</p><p>We will
have 23 T Levels available from 2023 and the major providers of vocational education,
many of whom operate in very rural areas, are already fully engaged with T Level planning
and delivery, with over 200 schools also either planning or already offering T Levels.</p><p>We
are also working closely with employers and employer groups nationally to build their
awareness about T Levels and the importance of vocational education and to encourage
them to offer industry placements as we know that this will be one of the big challenges
in rural areas.</p><p>Apprenticeships are a core part of the government’s skills agenda,
helping to drive economic growth by improving the skills pipeline. They give employees
high-quality, hands-on training to start and progress in work and give employers the
skills they need to grow, helping them fill their vacancies and train their workforces
to address industry skills gaps. They offer a high-quality route into more than 650
occupations, from entry-level to expert roles, spanning Levels 2 to 7. To support
more employers across the country to access apprenticeships, including in rural areas,
we are increasing funding for apprenticeships in England to £2.7 billion by 2024/25
financial year.</p><p>The department has introduced Skills Bootcamps which offer free,
flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific
skills and the offer of a job interview with an employer. They are currently available
across the country and deliver training in key areas such as digital, technical (including
engineering and manufacturing), construction, logistics and green skills. Bootcamps
are available both in rural areas and delivering skills for rural economies</p><p>The
free Courses for Jobs offer allows eligible adults to access over 400 Level 3 qualifications
(A level equivalent) for free in a wide range of sector subject areas that can support
the rural economy, including Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care. Free Courses
for Jobs are delivered through colleges and training providers across the country,
including those that serve learners in rural areas.</p><p>We fund and support land-based
colleges in rural locations and which specialise in education and training in the
skills needed for rural economies. There are 12 designated land based colleges across
the country. In addition, land-based provision is delivered by a number of and providers
with land-based status across the country.</p><p>Further education providers, including
those in rural areas, are able to deliver provision to 16-19 year old learners by
combining both time in the classroom with remote delivery, having regard to funding
regulations for 16-19 provision. For Adult learners, providers decide upon the mode
of delivery for Adult Education Budget funded courses, to best meet learners’ needs
and this can include on-line delivery.</p><p>The department recognises that the cost
and availability of transport can be difficult for some students in rural areas. It
is the responsibility of local authorities to put in place transport arrangements
to help young people aged 16 to 18 to access education or training.</p><p>Many young
people in rural areas have access to a discount or concession on local bus or train
travel, either from their local authority or local transport providers. The government
also supports local bus travel, including in rural areas, through the Bus Service
Operators Grant.</p>
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