Part 1

Apprenticeships, study and training
CHAPTER A1

Apprenticeships and technical education: England

Technical education qualifications

Categories of technical education qualification
A2D2
1
The
Secretary of State
—
a
may specify one or more categories of technical education qualification in relation to England that may be approved under section A2D3, and
b
may specify one or more categories of technical education qualification in relation to England that may be approved under section
A2D5
.
2
The
Secretary of State
may specify a category under subsection
(1)
(b)
only if
the Secretary of State
considers that it would not be appropriate for qualifications in the category to be approved under section A2D3.
3
For any category specified under subsection
(1)
(b)
, the
Secretary of State
must specify which of the following is the appropriate test for the purposes of section
A2D5
—
a
the alternative approval test (see section
A2D5
(3)
);
b
the additional specialist competence test (see section
A2D5
(4)
);
c
the significant outcomes test (see section
A2D5
(5)
).
4
The
Secretary of State
may revise or withdraw any category specified under subsection
(1)
.
5
A technical education qualification does not cease to be approved merely because the category is revised or withdrawn under subsection
(4)
.
6
The
Secretary of State
must publish information showing—
a
the categories of technical education qualification that are for the time being specified under subsection
(1)
, and
b
for each category, whether qualifications in the category may be approved under section A2D3 or
A2D5
and, if under section
A2D5
, the appropriate test.
7
Before specifying a category of qualification under this section, the
Secretary of State
must consult
such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate
.
Pt. 1 Ch. A1 inserted (26.3.2015 for specified purposes, 26.5.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(2)(e), Sch. 1 para. 1 (with Sch. 1 para. 28); S.I. 2015/994, art. 6(a) (with Sch. Pt. 2)
Words in Pt. 1 Ch. A1 heading inserted (31.1.2019) by Technical and Further Education Act 2017 (c. 19), s. 47(2), Sch. 1 para. 6; S.I. 2019/61, reg. 2(b)
Ss. A2DA-A2DC and cross-heading inserted (31.1.2019) by Technical and Further Education Act 2017 (c. 19), s. 47(2), Sch. 1 para. 15; S.I. 2019/61, reg. 2(b)
Ss. A2D1, A2D2 inserted (30.9.2022) by Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 (c. 21), ss. 7(2), 36(3); S.I. 2022/965, reg. 3(2) (with regs. 4, 5)
Words in s. A2D2 substituted (1.6.2025) by Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Act 2025 (c. 14), s. 12(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 9(2) (with s. 13); S.I. 2025/598, reg. 3(g)
Words in s. A2D2(2) substituted (1.6.2025) by Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Act 2025 (c. 14), s. 12(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 9(3) (with s. 13); S.I. 2025/598, reg. 3(g)
Words in s. A2D2(7) substituted (1.6.2025) by Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Act 2025 (c. 14), s. 12(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 9(4) (with s. 13); S.I. 2025/598, reg. 3(g)