A Level results encouraging for engineering sector

Lydia Amarquaye, Education & Skills Policy Lead at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, comments on the 2024 A Level, T Level and BTEC results.

Congratulations to everyone receiving their A Level, T Level and BTEC results today.

It is especially encouraging to see STEM subjects featuring prominently among the top 10 most popular A Level subjects this year. This reflects a growing interest and recognition of the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in shaping our future. The skills and knowledge gained from studying these subjects are critical to driving innovation and solving the complex challenges of tomorrow. The increased participation in maths, further maths, and physics is particularly encouraging as these are the subjects most recognised for pursuing engineering courses at university. In maths, there was a 10.2% increase in student participation from last year, with physics seeing a 19.9% increase in participation.

2024 marks the first year of ‘Engineering and Manufacturing’ T Level completers. Some of these learners will have received offers of apprenticeships following their placements, some will have applied for new apprenticeships, while other students will be going on to higher education programmes. We still have work to do in supporting T Level graduates as they transition into technical roles or further courses. This begins with enhancing the understanding of the T Level qualification and the depth of learning these students have achieved.

Today, there are also students who have completed engineering-related BTEC qualifications and will be applying for apprenticeships. Although challenges around future funding for BTECs exist, we must not overlook the crucial role they play in providing the technical foundation necessary for further development within apprenticeships and other technical qualifications.

The breadth of options available reflects the breadth of the skills gaps within engineering. We must continue to ensure that both number and diversity of young people studying STEM related subjects is increased to meet the needs of industry.”   

For more information about careers in engineering.