A Comprehensive Guide to Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
Introduced in September 2022, higher technical qualifications (HTQs) are the latest higher education offering that aims to prepare students for the workplace, allow existing individuals to retrain and develop their skills, and fill growing skills gaps within technical industries.
But what are higher technical qualifications? What is their relevance in higher education? And what are the benefits? This blog answers all.
What Are Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)?
Higher technical qualifications are educational training routes that lead to higher-level occupations through upskilling. They sit alongside apprenticeships and degrees and intend to bridge the skills gap in technical industries by providing specialised knowledge and skills.
HTQs offer level four and five qualifications, such as Higher National Diplomas, Foundation Degrees and Diploma Higher Education. They’re available to students over 18 to prepare for skilled jobs and adults or employees who wish to retrain or upskill.
What’s the Relevance of HTQs Within Higher Education?
The first HTQs, launched in September 2022, focus on digital skills, particularly in the web development sector. So what’s the relevance of HTQs within higher education and why do they exist?
Higher technical qualifications offer new education routes for those wanting to avoid going into traditional university courses. HTQs differ because they’re much more specialised in a specific industry. They usually have industry partners and take less time to complete than traditional bachelor's degrees.
HTQs are designed to prepare students for specific careers or roles within industries, meaning the course and learning content is much more focused and delivers far more actionable value than a broader university degree.
Higher technical qualifications aim to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry demands, developing new talent for specific roles and filling widening skills gaps.
And the benefits don’t stop there.
The Benefits of HTQs
While the first beneficiary of higher technical qualifications is the student, many other aspects benefit employers and the economy.
For Individuals
HTQs offer individuals a new means of acquiring and developing the skills needed to perform a specific role, enabling them a means of finding employment.
Further benefits include:
Industry collaboration: HTQs often collaborate with businesses in the specific sector, offering real-life advice, work experience and potential future roles once the HTQ is complete.
Career advancement or diversification: HTQs aren’t exclusively available for students leaving school and looking for higher education routes. They’re open to all adults wanting to further develop their skills in a particular field or retrain in a new industry.
Hands-on experience: HTQs are often much more practical than other higher education methods, providing hands-on experience that can be taken into real-world work environments.
Faster entry into the workforce: HTQs are generally much shorter than traditional degrees, meaning individuals can enter the job market sooner.
For Employers
Higher technical qualifications direct employers in multiple different ways. They prepare prospective employees for their business and employers can also offer existing employees the chance to take on a HTQ to help develop their skills within the business.
This also presents an opportunity for attracting new talent, as it’s a point of difference that other businesses within the industry might not offer. On top of this, other benefits include:
Specific skills: The skills gap is ever-growing, so HTQs aim to develop individuals needed with the skills that match industry needs, building a talent pool for employers to choose from.
Reduced recruitment costs: Hiring individuals with the skills needed will reduce further training costs. Offering HTQs to existing employees also removes the need to recruit new talent.
Filled skills gaps: A core reason HTQs exist is to fill skills gaps in industries facing skills shortages by providing a pipeline of skilled workers.
Innovation: Current and prospective employees who have completed HTQs will be up to date with all the latest developments, technologies and skills.
For the Economy
With new skills development and a highly trained workforce comes direct benefits for the economy as a whole.
Economic growth: HTQs give industries the skilled workforce they need to thrive, boosting the economy.
Industry development: Higher education provides new ideas, innovation and development that pushes growth and establishes new industries.
Reduced unemployment: Graduates with specific skills tend to be hired quicker. HTQs also offer the opportunity for the existing workforce to retrain and specialise in a new field.
Implementing HTQs in Higher Education
Delivering higher technical qualifications as part of learning programmes requires a strategic approach that involves collaboration, curriculum development and ongoing assessment. Steps that higher education professionals can follow to achieve this include:
Needs assessment: Conduct a thorough needs assessment to identify the specific technical skills currently in demand in the job market.
Curriculum development: Design a curriculum that emphasises hands-on learning experiences and has clear learning outcomes.
Faculty training: Ensure faculty members are given the necessary training, resources and development opportunities for their relevant field.
Advisory boards: Establish advisory boards composed of industry professionals who can offer guidance on programme development, curricula and industry trends.
Student support: Offer comprehensive support to students and facilitate connections between students and industry professionals.
Practical experience: Provide opportunities for internships, apprenticeships and industry projects to expose students to work environments.
Quality assurance and evaluation: Implement quality assurance processes to maintain high educational standards and establish clear assessment criteria.
Industry partnerships: Create strong relationships with local industries and businesses to facilitate maximum exposure to work environments for students.
Marketing: Develop a marketing strategy to promote HTQs and showcase the success stories of graduates.
Reporting and continuous improvement: Be transparent about the programme’s strengths and areas for improvement by looking into metrics such as employment rates and graduate salaries. From there, foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Final Word
Higher technical qualifications are a welcome introduction to the world of higher education. Not only do they benefit individuals, employers and the economy, but it also helps push industries forward and develop for a new, technologically-advanced future.
In summary, HTQs provide individuals with practical skills that help them get jobs, employers have a bigger talent pool of skilled workers to choose from, closing the skills gap, and the economy develops a capable, highly skilled workforce that contributes to growth and success.
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