The government pledged to introduce the proposed Advanced British Standard (ABS) and increase apprenticeships in the recent King’s speech. In his first address for the state opening of Parliament, King Charles said his ministers would “strengthen education for the long term” through the introduction of the ABS, which seeks to replace A-levels and T Levels by combining them into one single qualification. The speech also briefly outlined proposals tabled to increase starts in high quality apprenticeships and reduce the number of young people enrolling onto “poor quality” university degrees. The King went onto say: “My ministers will take steps to ensure young people have the knowledge and skills to succeed through the introduction of the Advanced British Standard that will bring technical and academic roots into a single qualification. Proposals will be implemented to reduce the number of young people studying poor quality university degrees and increase the number undertaking high quality apprenticeships.” Click here for more.
