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UCP launch Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) to boost local employability

18 January 2024

University Centre Peterborough (UCP), Peterborough’s 15-year-longstanding university for academic excellence, is thrilled to announce they have been approved to introduce the cutting-edge Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) programme.

This announcement presents an exciting opportunity for local students, as HTQs can not only support quicker career progression and promotion within chosen industries but also have the potential to lead to earnings surpassing those associated with traditional degrees.

A recent report¹ cited by the Institute for Fiscal Studies highlights that achieving HTQ Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications could potentially lead to earnings higher than the average earnings associated with a degree.²

Designed to provide practical skills in high-demand sectors, this qualification is set to transform education and employment opportunities for both local students and employers.

HTQs are specialised, industry-focused qualifications equivalent to the first two years of a degree (Level 4 and 5). Designed in collaboration with industry experts, these qualifications align with current industry trends and needs, ensuring that students acquire the practical skills and knowledge required to progress in specific professions.

Approved against occupational standards in their sector, HTQs provide students with a head start in their careers. UCP will be providing HTQs in Digital Technologies; including software development, networking, cyber security, and data analytics, Sports Coaching, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, and Early Years Education for 2024. In 2025, there will also be the addition of Digital Marketing and Communications, Adult Social Care, and our newly developed Animal Conservation and Countryside Management course.

Liz Knight, Academic Director for University Centre Peterborough, is excited about the opportunities HTQs will provide local employers and students saying, “HTQs cater to a diverse audience. As they are crafted in collaboration with industry experts and designed for a shorter time frame than traditional degree programmes, their ability to teach in-demand skills has the potential to reduce the training burden within rapidly evolving industries, which fast-growing employers will highly value.”

Suitable for those leaving school and ready to enter the workforce, career changers pivoting to a new industry, or professionals looking to stay competitive or advance in their careers, HTQs’ versatility caters for all as they offer a streamlined approach to gaining relevant, practical expertise.

Complementing UCP's recent Silver accreditation by the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), for high-quality teaching and student experience, the introduction of HTQs is yet another example of how the city’s 15-year-longstanding university is committed to providing quality education that translates into meaningful careers.

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