Qualification-type funding approval criteria: technical qualifications
Funding approval criteria that technical qualifications need to meet alongside the common approval and offer-specific criteria.
This section explains the funding approval criteria that will be used for technical qualifications.
Technical qualifications are called technical occupation qualifications in Ofqual regulations.
For information on alternative academic qualifications please see Qualification-type funding approval criteria: alternative academic qualifications.
There are certain qualifications that will not need to meet qualification-type funding approval criteria:
- AS and A levels
- access to HE diplomas
- advanced extension awards
- core maths qualifications
- extended project qualifications
- International Baccalaureate diploma
- performing arts graded examination at level 3
- technical qualifications in T Levels
- GCSEs
- higher project qualifications
- performing arts graded examinations
- English and maths functional skills qualifications
The qualification must be approved by IfATE as a technical qualification, that is, categorised as one of the following:
- occupational entry
- additional specialist
- level 3 occupational progression
- employer proposed
There is more information on IfATE criteria for qualifications to be approved as a technical qualification.
We do not expect to approve for funding more than one occupational entry qualification per awarding organisation against each occupational standard, unless IfATE has approved multiple qualifications by the same awarding organisation.
The technical qualification must have a sector subject area (SSA) assigned that map to the occupational routes.
Cycle 1
The following SSAs have been mapped to occupational routes, for level 3 and level 2 technical qualifications, in cycle 1.
Level 3 technical qualifications in cycle 1
Construction and the built environment:
- building and construction
- urban, rural and regional planning
Digital:
- ICT for users
- ICT practitioners
Education and early years:
- child development and wellbeing
- teaching and lecturing
- direct learning support
Engineering and manufacturing:
- engineering
- manufacturing technologies
- transportation and maintenance
Health and science:
- medicine and dentistry
- nursing and subjects and vocations allied to medicine
- science
- sports leisure and recreation
- health and social care
Level 2 technical qualifications in cycle 1
Construction and the built environment:
- building and construction
- urban, rural and regional planning
Education and early years:
- child development and wellbeing
Engineering and manufacturing:
- engineering
- manufacturing technologies
- transportation and maintenance
Health and science:
- medicine and dentistry
- nursing and subjects and vocations allied to medicine
- science
- sports leisure and recreation
- health and social care
Digital is not in scope for level 2 technical qualifications because IfATE do not currently recognise any level 2 occupations.
Cycle 2
The following sector subject areas have been mapped to occupational routes, for level 3 technical qualifications and level 2 technical qualifications, in cycle 2.
Level 3 technical qualifications in cycle 2
Agriculture, environmental and animal care:
- agriculture
- animal care and veterinary science
- horticulture and forestry
Business administration:
- administration
- business management
- public services
- teaching and lecturing
Care services:
- child development and well being
- health and social care
Creative and design:
- crafts, creative arts and design
- manufacturing technologies
- media and communication
Legal, finance and accounting:
- accounting and finance
- law and legal
Protective services:
- public services
Sales, marketing and procurement:
- accounting and finance
- ICT practitioner
- marketing and sales
- retailing and wholesaling
- service enterprises
- travel and tourism
Transport and logistics:
- transportation operations and distribution
- warehousing and distribution
Level 2 technical qualifications in cycle 2
Agriculture, environmental and animal care:
- Agriculture
- Animal care and veterinary science
- Environmental conservation
- Horticulture and forestry
Business administration:
- Administration
Care services:
- Child development and well being
- Health and social care
Catering and hospitality:
- Hospitality and catering
- Manufacturing technologies
Creative and design:
- Crafts, creative arts and design
Hair and beauty:
- Service enterprises
Legal, finance and accounting:
- Accounting and finance
Protective services:
- Public services
Sales, marketing and procurement:
- Administration
- Hospitality and catering
- Retailing and wholesaling
Transport and logistics:
- Transportation and operations and maintenance
Warehousing and distribution
Some qualifications will be approved for funding where they are linked to occupational regulation or licence to practice.
This includes qualifications in a sector or occupational area where:
- it is a legal requirement for all practitioners to obtain a licence from the relevant state-recognised regulatory body and the qualification supports this
- practitioners are required to register and be recognised by a professional body and the qualification supports this
- there is a requirement to demonstrate competence against a code of practice and the qualification supports this
- there are mandatory requirements for an occupation (or for specific activities within that occupation) and the qualification supports this
To be approved for funding, qualifications either linked to occupational regulation, or licence to practice, must involve training and not just assessment.
Public funding will not cover the:
- costs of the acquisition of the licence
- renewal of any licence
- fees for membership of professional bodies