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Higher Technical Qualifications Employer Guide

Bedford Construction HE

Nurturing the Future Workforce with Employer Collaboration

Welcome to your Higher Technical Qualifications Employer Guide, designed to foster a stronger understanding and collaboration between employers and the College. As the academic landscape continues to evolve, the demand for skilled and specialised professionals in various industries has reached new heights. At Bedford College Group we recognise the pivotal role that employers like you play in shaping the future workforce and driving economic growth.

This employer guide serves as a tool for demonstrating the pathways available to your employees as they embark on their higher technical qualifications journey. At the College we take pride in our courses, comprising of subject experts and industry experts who impart both theoretical insights and real-world knowledge. Our courses equip students with teaching that is creative and stretches their critical thinking. Through hands-on training, industry collaborations, our students gain invaluable experiences that transform them into adept professionals capable of tackling the challenges of the modern workplace.

You will gain valuable insights into the diverse range of technical qualifications our college offers, from cutting-edge Computing courses to Construction Management to Engineering, we provide a portfolio of courses designed to cater to the demands of a dynamic jobs market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Higher Technical Qualifications?
  • New & existing qualifications approved as meeting the skills employers need.
  • Approved HTQs are endorsed by employers to ensure you get the specific training, knowledge and skills required for your chosen career.
  • Suited to school leavers (age 18+) as well as those looking to upskill or retrain.
  • Flexible qualifications with full time, part time and online learning options.
  • Based on the employer-led standards in the same way as Apprenticeships & T Levels.
  • Obtain the skills to go straight into industry and employment, or to use as a foundation for further study.
  • HTQs, provide unique opportunities – taught by industry experts and with access to industry relevant facilities, equipment and resources.
How do these qualifications work for employers?

Higher technical qualifications (HTQs) are a great way for employers to upskill their existing employees and hire new talent with the right skills and knowledge. HTQs are developed in collaboration with employers, so they are sure to meet the needs of the workplace.

Here are some of the benefits of HTQs for employers:

  • Improved workforce skills: HTQs can help employees develop the skills they need to be more productive and successful in their roles. This can lead to increased productivity, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
  • Reduced training costs: HTQs can be a more cost-effective way to train employees than traditional methods, such as apprenticeships or degrees. This is because HTQs are shorter and more focused on the specific skills needed for a particular job.
  • Wider pool of talent: HTQs can help employers access a wider pool of talent, including people who may not have the traditional qualifications for a particular job. This can help employers to find the best person for the job, regardless of their background.
  • Improved employee satisfaction: Employees who have HTQs are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and more likely to stay with their employers. This is because HTQs can help employees to develop their skills and knowledge, which can lead to greater job satisfaction.

Overall, HTQs can be a valuable tool for employers who are looking to improve their workforce skills, reduce training costs, and access a wider pool of talent.

Here are some specific examples of how HTQs could help your workforce:

  • A large manufacturing has company used HTQs to upskill its employees in new technologies. This helped the company to improve its productivity and reduce its costs.
  • A small technology company has used HTQs to hire new talent with the skills they needed to develop new products. This helped the company to grow its business.
  • A healthcare organisation has used HTQs to train its nurses in new ways to care for patients. This helped the organisation to improve the quality of care it provided.
Why Higher Technical Qualifications?
  • A stimulating and challenging programme of study that will be both engaging and memorable for employees.
  • The essential subject knowledge that students need to progress successfully at your workplace.
  • Refreshed content that is closely aligned with employer, professional body and higher education needs.
  • Assessments that consider cognitive skills (what learners know) along with effective and applied skills (respectively how they behave and what they can do).
  • A varied approach to assessment that supports progression and allows us to offer assessment relevant to the local economy, thereby accommodating and enhancing different learning styles.
  • A qualification designed to meet the needs and expectations of learners aspiring to work in a national and international setting.
Where can I find more information about HTQs?

There are several resources available to employers who want to learn more about HTQs:

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE): IfATE is the government body responsible for HTQs. They have a website with a wealth of information about HTQs, including a list of approved qualifications.

The National Careers Service: The National Careers Service is a government-funded service that provides information and advice on careers and training. They have a website with information about HTQs, including how to find a training provider and how to apply for a qualification.

Our Approved Higher Technical Qualifications

Approved HTQs are new or level 4 and 5 qualifications approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

There are many different types of HTQs, such as:

  • Higher National Certificates
  • Higher National Diplomas
  • Foundation Degrees

Our Qualifications include:

  • Computing
  • Cyber Security
  • Network Engineering
  • Modern Methods of Construction
  • Site Management
  • Quantity Surveying
  • Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Electronic Systems Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Leadership and Management
  • Healthcare Professions Support

These new qualifications have been designed to meet new occupational standards for the relevant sectors. They have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that students get the specific training, knowledge and skills required for their chosen career. These courses are great routes for those who have studied T Levels at College or other level 3 qualifications such as BTEC Nationals.

This means that your employees will be more than a University student, they will be accredited with a Higher Technical Qualification.

Supporting Employees starting an HTQ

To start an HTQ, your employee needs to be aged 18 or over and live in England.

Entry requirements

32 UCAS Points.

The grades or qualifications your employee will need to have will depend on the type of course you’re applying for.

Tuition fees and funding

£6000 a year for a 1- or 2-year course.

Employees may be eligible for funding from student finance or a scholarship, grant or bursary. This means from you as an employer you will need to support your employee with time and experience.

Work placements

Many courses do offer practical skills and experience through workshops, labs or work experience.

Computing Adults part-time HE
To find out more

Contact us

Please contact us on 01234 291747 or email: training@bedford.ac.uk