City & Guilds Interim CEO Andy Moss on why the current qualification reforms matter for the future of education

Across the further education sector, there is a shared sense that something important is shifting.

25 June 2026

The current reform agenda for post 16 education is not just another policy change. It is a genuine attempt to reset how we think about education, opportunity and work in the UK. At its heart is a simple but powerful idea: that every young person deserves a high-quality pathway that reflects their strengths, ambitions and potential.

That is something we wholeheartedly support. For too long, our system has been shaped by an implicit hierarchy, one where academic routes have often been seen as the default, and vocational education as an alternative. But that no longer reflects reality. Our economy and our employers need a system that values practical skills, applied learning and real-world capability just as highly as academic knowledge.

The current reforms aim to do exactly that. The introduction of new qualifications such as V Levels represents a significant step forward. These will sit alongside A Levels and T Levels as part of a clearer, more coherent system, giving young people the ability to combine academic and vocational learning in a way that works for them. Crucially, they are designed to be understood and trusted by employers and universities alike, providing clarity, consistency and confidence in what they represent.

Put simply, they are a major step towards achieving something the sector has long called for: genuine parity of esteem. But qualifications alone are not the answer. What matters most is what sits behind them, the experience of the learner.

At City & Guilds, this has been our focus for nearly 150 years. We have always believed that education must connect directly to the world of work. That learning should build confidence as well as competence. And that success should be defined not only by what someone knows, but by what they can do. Together with PeopleCert’s global reach and long-term commitment, we have an even greater opportunity to build on this shared belief at a critical moment for the nation’s skills agenda, working collaboratively with learners, employers and policymakers across the system.

We are living through a period of profound change in the labour market. New technologies, including artificial intelligence, are reshaping how we work and what employers need, often faster than education systems can keep up. At the same time, we see persistent skills gaps across key sectors, alongside growing levels of disengagement among young people.

Our own ongoing research highlights the scale of the challenge. Our Employability Skills Report that will be published later this year highlights that young people who are not in education, employment or training are significantly less confident in their ability to succeed in the workplace, often lacking access to the support and opportunities others take for granted. These are not abstract statistics. They represent real lives, real potential, and real risk to both individuals and our wider economy.

This is why the current reforms matter so much. They are about creating a system that does not leave people behind. One that recognises that different learners need different routes, and that each of those routes should be high quality, respected and aligned to real opportunities. The stated objective of the reforms is to help more young people move into further study, apprenticeships or employment, while reducing the number who fall out of the system altogether.

Vocational education has a critical role to play in making that vision a reality. It offers something distinct and powerful: learning that is applied, relevant and closely aligned to the workplace. In a world where AI and automation are changing tasks at pace, the ability to adapt, problem solve and apply skills in real contexts will only become more valuable. These are exactly the capabilities that vocational pathways are designed to build.

One of the other strengths of the new model, particularly through qualifications like V Levels, is that it allows learners to explore different sectors, combine academic and vocational study, and progress into a wide range of destinations, from higher education to skilled employment. That flexibility is essential in a world where careers are no longer linear, and lifelong learning is the norm.

Because that is the other defining shift we must recognise: learning does not stop at 18. The future of work will require continuous reskilling, upskilling and adaptation. A system that works only for the first stage of education will not be enough. We need one that supports learners throughout their lives, helping them navigate change and build sustainable careers over time.

This is where organisations like City & Guilds have a unique role to play. Our focus has always been vocational. It’s what sets us apart. We design qualifications, assessments and training that are rooted in real skills and real outcomes, working closely with employers, providers and policymakers to ensure what we deliver meets the needs of today and tomorrow.

We also understand something fundamental: skills are not just an economic issue. They are a social one. When you support someone to gain the confidence, capability and opportunity to succeed, you don’t just change their life, you strengthen communities, improve productivity, and create a more inclusive economy. That is why we continue to work in partnership across the sector to support those who are furthest from opportunity, particularly young people at risk of becoming disengaged.

So, as we look ahead, the direction is clear. The reforms now underway offer a real opportunity to build a system that is simpler, fairer and more aligned to the realities of modern work. But success will depend on how we deliver them, on maintaining quality, building trust, and keeping the focus firmly on the learner.

If we get this right, we can move beyond old debates about academic versus vocational and instead create something better: a system where every pathway is valued, every learner is supported, and skills are truly at the heart of our national future. That is a prize worth working towards.