This DfE research reveals that less well known Level 4 and 5 qualifications could be the key to unlocking the skills demanded by employers and lead to rewarding, well-paid jobs.
Qualifications at this level include Diplomas of Higher Education and Foundation Degrees in subjects such as engineering and digital. They are offered at universities and Further Education colleges – such as the London South Bank University and the National College for Nuclear.
According to the report, studying technical qualifications - which are between A-levels and a full undergraduate degree - can boost earning potential and employability.
Employers in a range of sectors – including IT and engineering – suggest there is a growing demand for these foundation courses, known as level 4 or 5 qualifications, the report says.
And it shows that students who have achieved a level 4 or 5 qualification by the age of 23 had higher median wages – of around £2,000 - by the time they were 26 than those with A-level qualifications.
And yet only around 7 per cent of people in England, aged between 18 and 65, are undertaking training at this level – which are primarily taught at further education colleges and universities.