VCSEs: a new vocational qualification for 14 to 16-year-olds in Wales

Qualifications Manager, Jo Moriarty, explains how VCSEs work and why building employability skills alongside academic knowledge is vital for preparing young people for work.

The world of work is changing fast.

Today's learners in Wales will go on to work in exciting and innovative industries. Some will even do jobs using technology, tools and approaches that haven't been invented yet.

So how do we prepare them for that?

What are VCSEs?

VCSEs mark the next step forward for vocational learning in Wales. I’m excited about what they could mean for our learners. 
Coming in September 2027, they give Year 10 and 11 learners a broad, age-appropriate introduction to work-related subjects. VCSEs are not designed to build in-depth technical knowledge or occupational competence (that is, the practical skills needed to do a job). Those are usually developed in post-16 study.

We have established VCSE qualifications to:

• engage and enthuse learners about a particular employment area
• build awareness of the range of careers available within that area
• provide practical, hands-on learning opportunities

We have also developed them specifically for learners in Wales, reflecting the social, cultural, political and economic backdrop of the country. 

VCSEs support the purposes of the Curriculum for Wales. They will help schools:

• deliver the careers and work-related experiences aspect of the curriculum
• provide broad and balanced learning opportunities
• meet the 14 to 16 learner entitlement

What will a VCSE actually look like?

VCSEs are level 1 and level 2 qualifications and teachers can deliver them in around 120–140 guided learning hours, just like GCSEs. VCSEs are designed to work with the resources schools already have, so they won't need lots of specialist technical equipment or facilities.

Each VCSE includes 30% external assessment. Assessment methods may vary by awarding body and could take several forms, such as:

• practical tasks
• projects
• online tests
• written exams

What subjects will be available? 

Schools will be able to choose from 15 subjects, including Built Environment, Engineering, Hair and Beauty, Hospitality and Catering, and Performing Arts. More than one awarding body may offer each subject, so schools can choose the content, experiences and assessment style that suit their learners best.

The introduction of VCSEs is a chance for schools to take a fresh look at the vocational subjects they offer.

It’s really important that schools bear in mind that VCSEs will replace most existing vocational qualifications for 14 to 16-year-olds. This will make the vocational offer in Wales clearer and easier to explain to learners, parents, carers and employers. 

Teachers can use the Qualifications in Wales database to find out which existing vocational qualifications will continue.
We’ve made each VCSE subject available at entry level and level 1 as a Foundation qualification, giving more learners the chance to take part in vocational learning.

How can teachers access support? 

As with existing vocational qualifications, schools wanting to deliver VCSEs should speak to the relevant awarding bodies. They can provide information about the qualifications, along with any training or resources to support delivery.

Teachers can visit our VCSE qualifications page to find out which awarding bodies are offering which subjects.

Why do employability skills matter?

Employers want young people who are adaptable and ready to thrive in fast-changing industries. The Sutton Trust's Life Lessons 2024 report backs this up. It found that confidence, motivation, resilience and communication are just as important to success as academic knowledge, both in school and at work.

Giving learners the chance to build these skills, alongside a genuine introduction to different employment sectors, is a vital part of 14 to 16 education in Wales.

What makes vocational learning work so well?

I've taught a wide range of qualifications over the years, and I'm always struck by how practical, skills-based courses engage learners in ways that other subjects sometimes can't.

Vocational qualifications let learners get hands-on. They explore what a sector actually looks like in the real world. They also complement the other qualifications learners study, helping them build skills that connect across all aspects of school life. And they play a key role, alongside a learner's other qualifications, in helping them take their next steps, whether that's further education or employment.

Why does breadth matter at 14?

At 14, most learners don't know exactly what career they want. That's completely understandable. So we need to strike a balance. Vocational qualifications at this age should work as a taster. They should offer a broad introduction, not narrow specialisation, so learners are well prepared for post-16 study or employment.

A hands-on approach, engaging content and varied assessment are a winning combination for helping young people move confidently into their next steps.